Lao Morning News Roundup For March 1

Welcome to the Lao PDR morning news roundup by AEC News Today, your one stop for Lao PDR news on matters of governance and policies affecting Asean business communities.

Tourism agencies urged to plan for activities ahead of Visit Laos Year 2018
IN ANTICIPATION of 2018 being a Visit Laos Year, the Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism has called on tourism agencies to start preparing activities for inclusion in the official programme.
— The Nation

GDP expected to grow at 6.8 percent: IMF
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has predicted that Laos’ Gross Domestic Product (GDP) will grow at 6.8 percent this year, less than the government’s projected rate of 7 percent.
— Vientiane Times

Laotian Soldiers Are Digging Trenches in Cambodia, Official Says
Laotian soldiers have begun digging trenches in Cambodia to ensure that construction of a disputed road cannot restart, while authorities from both countries have continued to lock horns over the dispute, an official said on Monday.
— Cambodia Daily (paywall)

GEF grant to enhance agro-climatic monitoring
The Global Environmental Facility has provided more than US$5.4 million (about 44.4 billion kip) to support a project strengthening agro-climatic monitoring and information systems to improve climate change adaptation and food security in Laos.
— Vientiane Times

KOICA completes digital maps of Vientiane
A joint cooperation project between Laos and the Republic of Korea on the digital mapping of Vientiane, covering 4,600 hectares on a scale of 1 to 2,000 was completed recently, with a handover ceremony held in Vientiane yesterday.
— Vientiane Times

Phongsavanh keen to build Thai links
REPRESENTATIVES from Laos’ Phongsavanh Group discussed business proposals during a recent visit to Khon Kaen.
— The Nation

Trade with CLMV countries grows to $10 bn: Sitharaman
India’s trade with Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam or CLMV countries has grew from USD 1.5 bn to more than USD 10 bn in the last 10 years, said Commerce and Industry Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Monday
— SME Times

Historic auction earns 11.6 billion kip; PM’s car draws highest bid
A historic auction of 14 luxury cars withdrawn from government leaders has earned 11.6 billion kip with the BMW driven by Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith attracting the highest bid at the public sale held at the National Convention Centre yesterday.
— Vientiane Times

PM outlines focal work for March to spur development
Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith has advised authorities in charge to urgently and effectively apply the one-stop service in line with the amended Investment Promotion Law, which was passed by the National Assembly in November last year.
— Vientiane Times

Cigarettes Market Provides Extensive and Highly Detailed Current and Future Market Trends in the Laos Market
“The Report Cigarettes in Laos, 2016 provides information on pricing, market analysis, shares, forecast, and company profiles for key industry participants. – MarketResearchReports.biz”
— South China Morning Post

Feature photo: John Le Fevre

The Lao morning news roundup is published M-F by AEC News Today: Governance, not government; policies not politics.