[Tlc] L-news summary

[justinm at ucr.edu]

See several short summaries below.
Best,
justin



2007-1011 - KPL News

http://www.kpl.net.la/

Laos, China develop co-operation

(KPL) President Chou mmaly Sayasone of the Lao PDR received a
courtesy visit of Chinese Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yang
Jiechi, and his delegation on their working visit to Laos on
9-10 December.
At the Sunday’s reception, Mr. Choummaly Sayasone highly
valued the visit and was convinced that it would make a
significant contribution to the development of the
comprehensive co-operation between Laos and China.
The Lao President also expressed his congratulation over the
success of the 17th congress of the Communist Party of China,
and called on the guest to convey his congratulations and best
wishes to the Secretary General of the Communist Party of
China, and also the President of China, Mr Hu Jintao, as well
as Chinese leaders and people, of success in implementing the
goals of the Communist Party of China’s resolution.
Mr. Choummaly Sayasone also expressed his hope that the
relationship and co-operation between Laos and China develop
in the profound dimension in the future.
Mr. Yang Jiechi expressed thanks to Mr. Choummaly Sayasone for
his warm welcome and expressed his satisfaction to learn that
his visit was viewed as a contribution to enhancing the
co-operation and relations between the two neighbours.
On the same day Mr. Yang Jiechi and his delegation also called
on Prime Minster Bouasone Bouphavanh.
The two sides highly valued the bilateral co-operation in
economic, trade and investment areas in the previous years.
Both sides also shared views on enhancing the co-operation in
such areas in the near future.
Then the visiting delegation also called on Deputy Prime
Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Thongloun
Sisoulith, who gave a welcome party to Mr. Yang Jiechi and his
delegation at Vientiane’s Lao Plaza Hotel.

Hand-over of Vientiane No. 1 Road Renovation Project

(KPL) Japan handed over the renovation project of Road No. I -
one of the major roads in the capital, to Laos at a ceremony
held at the Chao Fa Ngum Park on December 10, 2007.
The hand-over ceremony was attended by H.E. Mr. Bouasone
Bouphavanh, Prime Minister, H.E. Dr. Sinlavong
Khoutphaythoune, Mayor of Vientiane Capital, H.E. Mr. Sommath
Pholsena, Minister of Public Works and Transport, H.E. Mr.
Osamu Uno, Deputy-Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, and
H.E. Mr. Masaaki Miyashita, Ambassador of Japan to Laos, among
others. The project, financed by the Government of Japan for
4.645 billion (4,645,000,000) yen, has been completed after
about two years of construction.
In the capital, the deterioration of road surface and the
increase in vehicles have made it difficult to secure safe and
smooth traffic. They constitute obstacles to socio-economic
development and daily life of local residents. Additionally,
roads are often submerged under flood water in rainy season
because of poor drainage. Thus the Lao Government of the Lao
P.D.R. sees the renovation of Vientiane’s Road No. 1 as an
urgent task, and requested assistance from the Government of
Japan.
Vientiane’s Road No.1 is not only a trunk line of the road
network in the capital, but also connects major city gates
such as the Friendship Bridge and Wattay International
Airport. This means that the renovated road would have a
positive impact on both Lao and regional economic activities
and is considered “the face of Laos”. The project is
anticipated to have good impacts, including (1)securing safe
transportation for people, (2) ensuring smooth transportation
and saving travel time for people and cargo in Vientiane
Capital as well as in the region as a part of the Asian
Highway, and (3) improvement of the health and the hygiene
environment by the decrease of flood.
Road No:01, one of the most important routes in Vientiane
Capital, runs a total length of 28.92 km from Sikhay junction
at one end to the Friendship Bridge at the other. The total
costs for the reconstruction is about 3.71 billions Japan Yen
(financed under the JICA Grant Aid programme of Japan).
The basic design for the reconstruction of Road No.1 commenced
in 2003 and completed in 2005 by KATAHIRA and Engineering
International of Japan.
The reconstruction was divided into two phases. The first
phase started in February 2006 and completed in February 2007
by SHIMIZU Corporation of Japan, while the second phase
started in December 2006 and completed in November 2007 by
OBAYASHI Corporation of Japan.
The execution of this project was well performed and
organised, and complete within the expected timeframe.
The main completed activities under the project included:
- the reconstruction of the payment structure of the
deteriorated section.
- the provision of asphalt concrete wearing course, 8 cm
thick, throughout the road.
- the provision of complete drainage system merging with the
existing manholes to prevent locally flooding on the
Setthathirath and Luang Prabang roads.
- the construction of pedestrians, illuminating system,
traffic signs , and etc.

NA debate on draft law on aquatic-wildlife animals starts

(KPL) The National Assembly session commenced to discuss the
first round on the draft law on aquatic and wildlife last Friday.
Amendments were put forth to various articles of the draft law
in relation to the preservation and management of aquatic and
wildlife animals.
The aquatic and wildlife animals are very important for the
socio-economic development and environmental preservation in
Laos, and also closely relating to the improvement of living
conditions of Lao people.
In the past years, the Party and Government have issued some
guideline on the forestry resource management, and sustainable
preservation and escalation of crop seeds.
The members have commented on rule implementation and measure
on the aquatic and wildlife animals management by collecting
and seizing animal hunting rifles or various vehicles from locals.
One thing that was a challenge problem that the authorities
can not collect the weapons for soldiers, policemen, and
security unit at villages in this case the animal hunting is
being carried on.
NA members of some constituency areas have raised the Nam Ngum
reservoir have so far had an abundant with fish but today its
population went down it can not catch easy.
The preservation of wild animals in the zoo is one out of many
articles that should be amended. In order to provide a well
preservation of animals in the zoo. The use of chemical
pesticide and fertiliser for agriculture production have not
well controlled which destroyed aquatic animal and lost water
quality.
The matter mentioned above also covered the management and
control of mining sector.
Therefore it needs to have some strictly measure on the
investment of concerned sectors so as to an effective
environment preservation in the future.

Vientiane attracts 2,200 billion kip of foreign investment

(KPL) Vientiane has attracted over 2,200 billion kip (US$ 224
million) of foreign investment in 183 projects so far, said
last week Vientiane Party’s Plenary Session.
Held between 3 and 7 December under the chairmanship of
Vientiane Mayor Dr Sinlavong Khoutphaythoune, the meeting said
that the foreign investment increased by 35% over 2006.
In the past one year Vientiane has increased its gross
domestic product (GDP) to 10,426 million kip and its per
capita GDP was almost 14 million kip (US$1,400).
The meeting appreciated the implementation of the ethnic and
religious affairs in the past few years.
The meeting also said that the rice production on 72,700 ha in
Vientiane in the last rainy season had reached 293,900 tonnes.
Vientiane has contributed 1,112 billion kip to the state
coffer, up by 99.48% over its annual plan and by 11.14% over
the previous year’s.
Attending the function were members of Vientiane Party
committees, and local authorities as well as relevant
officials across Vientiane.

Phongsavanh Bank’s new branch opening draws Thousand clients

(KPL) Over thousand people yesterday squeezed and jostled to
make a deposit with the Phongsavanh Bank new branch at Sikhay
market, the northern part of the capital, during an official
opening ceremony of the first private bank.
This is the second branch after the first branch opened at the
Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge border-checkpoint, Thanalaeng
village of Hardsaifong district. The opening of the new branch
is aimed at providing convenien t services to both domestic
and foreign clients.
The ceremony was not only attended by Mr Oth Phongsavanh,
President of the Phongsavanh Bank, Mr Sengdeuane Payasith,
Acting Director of Business Bank Management Department and
Financial Institute Laos and Mr Paul Freer, Director General
of the Phongsavanh Bank, but more than 1,000 depositors as well.
After the second branch in Vientiane, Mr Paul Freer, Director
General of Phongsavanh Bank announced yesterday that the bank
would expand two more branches in two provinces of Laos,
particularly central Savannakhet and northern Luang Prabang
provinces.
This is aimed to raise the role of the bank in response to
customers’ demand both at central and local levels to meet the
dramatic economic growth as full as possible.
The Phongsavanh Bank, the first private bank in the Lao PDR,
was established in 2006 with a total registered capital of US$
10 million. Since then it has won public trust from customers
of all social classes.

Nam Ngum reservoir development dragged on by delayed budget

(KPL) A recent promotion of agriculture and forestry work is
one of Nam Ngum reservoir development model project seems to
be dragged due to a delayed provision of fund to the work’s
demand.
The work has been reported at the 6th meeting of the National
Stirring Committee for the Nam Ngum Reservoir Development
Model Project held in Vientiane on 6 December.
In his keynote speech, Deputy Vientiane Mayor Bounchanh
Sinthavong said that the Nam Ngum Reservoir Development Model
Project has been implemented over the past one year seeing
many work activities have improved and moved forward. This
includes the infrastructure building, monitoring project, and
works of all project cells and coordination.
Along with the progress of various project works, while many
works saw being delayed that not conformity with the real work
in the development of agriculture and forestry sector,
particularly the agriculture and forestry promotion work
engages in the use of budget was delayed that met target.
The reservoir development is a priority project of the Lao
Government as well as a pilot project for conservation and
development of integrated sustainable water resource, which
was initiated in 2002 and will end early 2009.
A six years term of the project with a total cost of US$24
million have operated in the provinces’ top of Nam Ngum river
covering about 16,900 square kilometres of Xiengkhuang, a part
of Luang Prabang, Vientiane and Vientiane Capital “It is aimed
at administrating and using sustainable and high benefit in
the Nam Ngum reservoir. Along with the promotion and
administration of water resource to be systematic or a model
with its capacity to bring water in the escalation or reuse it
in other reservoir nationwide.”
“In addition, this project has a policy to promote and attract
foreign investment in deteriorated areas, particularly the top
of river so as to ensure in administration and utilisation of
sustainable water resource and taking part in the improvement
of living conditions of locals.”
The participants gathered to recall the implementation of the
project phase 1 over the past one-year term and discuss the
budget for 2008-2009.

Phongsaly strongly stresses on poverty elimination

(KPL) Next year plan of Phongsaly province is to focus on
reducing the number of poor families counting for 26 per cent
out of its total population.
An annual plan was released at a celebration ceremony of the
National Poverty Reduction Week held at the end of last month
in Phongsaly province.
The ceremony was attended by Mr Khamsane Souvong, Phongsaly
Governor, the Provincial Party members, high-ranking officials
and locals.
Mr Khamsan has briefed on the implementation of rural
development and poverty reduction among ethnic people since
2001. All round development in the grass root levels have been
improved and moved smoothly forward as a result the number of
poor families decreased to 26 per cent of 2007 from 54 per
cent of 2001.
Mr Khamsan stressed with a strong voice that the next year
plan would centre on rural development and poverty reduction.
“This is a priority of the Party and Government to fight
against poverty reduction among locals so as to help them
staying with two legs, accessible to education and public
health service.”
At the ceremony, 30 million kip in cash donated by private
sectors from domestic and overseas for contributing to poverty
reduction of ethnic people in remote area.

Viengkham increases animal raising by 28 per cent

(KPL) Plantation and Animal Raising Division, Agriculture and
Forestry Office of Viengkham district, Vientiane province said
last week its animal raising had increased by 28.12 per cent
from the 2006.
So far the district has 52,532 cattle, goats, pigs and poultry
raised by its farmers including 944 buffaloes, 6,926 cows,
1,106 goats, 1,887 pigs and 41,669 poultry. The division said
that farmers across the district paid larger attention to
animal raising for market-oriented purpose and the
immunisation of their animals against the diseases, which was
conducted by the vets from the agriculture and forestry office
of the district.
Vientiane has a handful of agricultural potentials for both
family-run farming and larger-investment farming. So the
authorities of Vientiane province practically encourages the
local farmers and foreign businesses to invest in raising
animals like cattle and goats for both domestic consumption
and exporting to foreign and neighbouring provinces as well.
Animal raising is among the priority plan of the Ministry of
Agriculture and Forestry to lift up its agricultural value in
the near future.

Laos wins two gold and two bronze medals from petanque

((KPL) Vatthanaxay Khamphavong from Champassak province and
Chansamone Vongsavath from Saravane have won the first two
gold medals for Lao athletics delegation at the ongoing SEA
Games in Nakhon Ratsasyma, Thailand.
Laos’ petanque athletics also won two bronze medals from male
and female sigle’s competition on last Friday from Phonpaseuth
Soukhaphon, a former gold medallist from SEA Games in the
Philippines, and a fresh athlete Mimee Vongsavath. It is very
surprising to Laos as Vatthanaxay has just made his first
appearance in an international event, while his rival
Thaloengkiat, the latest world and Asian petanque champion.
Chansamone’s road to victory drew a lot of concerns from Lao
fans knowing that she had had to compete with the host
country’s Thongsri Thamakord, who has just won world petanque
championship.
For Chansamone, 15, who was competing in the international for
the first time, winning is not only gold but glory for her
hometown Champassak.
Lao petanque players aiming to win three gold medals from this
year’s SEA Games seem happy as they won two gold medals on
their first day of competition in the sporting event. On
Saturday, Laos also won a bronze medal in the men’s freestyle
74kg shot-throwing from Khonkeo Thathavong.
Laos also earned six bronze medals from Mouay Lao fighter
Bounma Vongchampa, two wushu players Phosay Aphaimath and
Toyla, two wrestlers Khonkeo That-thavong and Vilakone
Vongphachanh, and rattan ball teams.
While bravery Lao women’s football team made their access to
the SEA Games football semi-final for the first time of Laos’
football history. This was even more surprising after their
earlier loss 1-4 to the three-time SEA Games titleholder, Vietnam.
Unfortunately Lao men’s football team was not so successful
and failed to pass their first qualified round losing their
last match 1-2 to neighbour Vietnam on Saturday. This year’s
SEA Games has disappointed Lao players by allowing them back
home with only one score from three matches in the first round.

Lao media discuss social contribution

(KPL) The Lao Journalists’ Association organised on 7 December
at the National Culture Hall in Vientiane its annual meeting
under the theme “ Lao media and its contribution to greater
national development”.
Chaired by Minister of Information and Culture, Mr. Mounkeo
Oraboun, the meeting was attended by more than 50
representatives from the Lao media nationwide.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Mr. Boualaphanh Thanphilom,
Vice-President of the Lao Journalists’ Association reviewed
activities made by the organisation in the past one year and
talked of his organisation plan for the year 2008.
On this occasion, Mr. Mounkeo Oraboun also made some comments
regarding the work of the media contributing to the national
defence and construction in the past and the present time.
He said that the media had better understanding of how to work
on the market economy mechanism, many media organisations had
actively worked to
mobilise funds to relieve the government’s financial
subsidies. Some are now self-reliant financially.
Mr. Mounkeo concluded that the media also acted as a main tool
of the government and Party to promote the political ideology,
to disseminate the Party-state policies, regulations and
provide a number of important information for the
social-economic development.
__._,_.___

______________
Dr. Justin McDaniel
Dept. of Religious Studies
2617 Humanities Building
University of California, Riverside
Riverside, CA 92521
951-827-4530
justinm at ucr.edu