Lao economy to grow at 6.8 percent in 2017: IMF
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has projected the Lao economy to grow at 6.8 percent in 2017, lower than the previous year due to lower commodity production and stagnant tourism.
– Xinhua
Laos’ govt tightens spending to reduce debt burden
Laos’ government has announced that some new development projects planned for this year could be postponed until next year if Laos faces a revenue shortfall in 2017.
– The Nation
President to attend Road and Belt Forum in China
President Bounnhang Vorachit will attend the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation taking place from May 14 to 15 in Beijing, while economists say China’s Belt and Road Initiative will benefit the Lao economy.
– Vientiane Times
China envoy says Laos stands to gain from Belt and Road
Lao state-run media published an article by a Chinese diplomat earlier this week citing the benefits that China’s Belt and Road infrastructure project will bring to Laos.
– Xinhua
Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia join hands in controlling infectious diseases
Health officials from Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia shared experience in fighting infectious diseases, especially avian flu, at a workshop in the central province of Thua Thien-Hue on May 10.
– VietnamPlus
Laos vows to further improve agri-food production
Laos is giving strong emphasis to the development of agriculture to increase agri-food production, including the crop sector.The commitment is focused on clean and green agriculture through development of a vision and strategy for the crop sector until 2030.
– Vientiane Times
Lao PM visits Malaysia to boost ties
LAO PRIME MINISTER Thongloun Sisoulith and his delegation were on an official visit to Malaysia from Tuesday to yesterday at the invitation of Prime Minister Najib Tun Abdul Razak.
– The Nation
Laos, IRRI Expand Partnership to Increase Food, Nutrition Security
Laos and the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) have increased their role in the country’s food and nutrition security with a new partnership in research.
– Lao News Agency
NA members oppose single-judge court cases
National Assembly members have spoken out against having a solitary judge preside over even the smallest of court cases, which they believe is an easy path to unjust judgments.
– Vientiane Times
Feature photo ILO/Adri Berger
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John Le Fevre
He has spent extensive periods of time working in Africa and throughout Southeast Asia, with stints in the Middle East, the USA, and England.
He has covered major world events including Operation Desert Shield/ Storm, the 1991 pillage in Zaire, the 1994 Rwanda genocide, the 1999 East Timor independence unrest, the 2004 Asian tsunami, and the 2009, 2010, and 2014 Bangkok political protests.
In 1995 he was a Walkley Award finalist, the highest awards in Australian journalism, for his coverage of the 1995 Zaire (now Democratic Republic of Congo) Ebola outbreak.
Prior to AEC News Today he was the deputy editor and Thailand and Greater Mekong Sub-region editor for The Establishment Post, predecessor of Asean Today.
In the mid-80s and early 90s he owned JLF Promotions, the largest above and below the line marketing and PR firm servicing the high-technology industry in Australia. It was sold in 1995.

Latest posts by John Le Fevre (see all)
- COVID-19 in Asean: update for July 26 — 16 mln case barrier breached, Vietnam records community transmission – July 26, 2020
- COVID-19 in Asean: update for July 25 — new high for daily infections, 16 mln infection barrier to break today – July 25, 2020
- COVID-19 in Asean: update for July 24 — Asean tops 230,000 cases, nudges 90,000 active – July 24, 2020
- Thailand morning news for July 24 – July 24, 2020