Lao Morning News For June 30

Laos Seizes Cache of Illegal Logs Owned by Governor’s Wife: Official
State inspection authorities in Laos have seized more than two dozen trucks after they were found to be hauling timber illegally logged by the wife of the governor of Attapeu province for sale across the border in Vietnam, according to an official source.
— RFA

Statement on Prior Construction Process for the Pak Beng Hydropower Project in Laos
The Joint Committee of the Mekong River Commission (MRC) met at a Special Session on the Pak Beng Hydropower Project (PBHPP) on 19th June 2017 in Vientiane, Lao PDR.
– Lao News Agency

Stakeholders discuss preparations for development roundtable implementation
Laos and development partners met yesterday to update key progress since the 2016 Round Table Implementation Meeting (RTIM) and discuss preparation for the 2017 RTIM including its timeframe and roadmap.
– Vientiane Times

Gov’t, Development Partners Discuss GMS Corridor Towns Preparation
The 4th Greater Mekong Sub-region (GMS-4) Corridor Towns Development Project Inception Workshop was held on Jun 27 in Vientiane Capital and attended by Deputy Minister of Public Works and Transport Vilaykham Phosalath, representatives from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the provinces, and relevant officials.
– Lao News Agency

Tourism training boost as Luxembourg, Switzerland fund human resource training
Funding for development of human resources in tourism and service sectors is on the rise thanks to a 140 billion kip (15million EUR) contribution from Luxembourg and Switzerland to a five-year project from 2017-2022.
– Vientiane Times

R. Korea Donates over LAK 1 Billion to Savannakhet
The Republic of Korea Industrial Research and Development Organisation (KIRD) has granted over 1 billion kip (US$ 121,938) to five villages in Champhone district and eight villages in Songkhone district, Savannakhet province to strengthen women’s vocational skills.
– Lao News Agency

Japan supports education development projects
The Japanese government has agreed to provide 27 billion kip in financial support to Laos for development of its human resources via two projects towards graduation from Least Developed Country (LDC) status.
– Vientiane Times

Lao Airlines Searches for Overseas Shareholders
Government officials have announced that they are in the process of pursuing a strategic partner for the state-owned enterprise, Lao Airlines, in an effort to improve operational efficiencies across its portfolio.
– The Laotian Times

Okinawa Funds Ban Xay Lao Rice Wine
A Cooperative from Okinawa, Japan has provided financial support of US$100,000 to assist the production of Lao Khao or Lao rice wine in Ban Xay, Xaysettha district, Attapeu Province.
– Lao News Agency

XiengKhuang authorities log large illegal lumber load
XiengKhuang’s Namkan International Border Checkpoint officials, police and local authorities recently confiscated more than 9,000 cubic metres of rose wood hidden in a semi-trailer, sparking concerns about widespread illegal logging in the province.
– Vientiane Times

NA Vice Chairwoman welcomes Lao officials to study in Vietnam
National Assembly Vice Chairwoman Tong Thi Phong on June 28 met with governmental and military officials from northern Laos who will attend Vietnamese language training courses in the northern province of Son La this year.
– VietnamPlus

Feature photo Mario Micklisch
Find our previous morning news feature photos in the AEC News Today Morning News Feature Photos gallery where you will find a pictorial display of daily life throughout the Asean Economic Community (AEC).

Lao morning news by AEC News Today is your one stop source for Lao PDR news on matters of governance and policies affecting Asean business communities. It is published M-F by AEC News Today: Governance, not government; policies not politics.