Lao morning news for December 26

Ministry to speed investment approval process
The Ministry of Planning and Investment has pledged to intensify action to speed up the consideration and approval of investment projects after learning that it typically took longer than the timeframe stipulated by law.
— Vientiane Times

Japan Supports Income Generation For People With Disabilities In Laos
The government of Japan has provided a grant worth US$ 292,195 to support income generation of people with disabilities in the Lao PDR.
— KPL

Laos not fully benefitting from integration
Laos has not fully benefited from the recent regional economic integration as its share of trade with Asean nations has declined, according to the National Institute for Economic Research (NIER), a Lao think tank.
— Khmer Times

Lao President Replies To Supreme Leader’s Congratulations
Kim Jong Un, chairman of the Workers’ Party of Korea and chairman of the State Affairs Commission of the DPRK, received a reply message from Bounnang Vorachith, general secretary of the Central Committee of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party (LPRP) and president of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (LPDR), on Dec 21.
— Independent

THE TURKISH GOVERNMENT AND THE UNITED NATIONS PROVIDE RESCUE VESSELS TO THE LAO GOVERNMENT
The Turkish Government and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) have deployed two lakes to the Government of Lao PDR in two days.
— Vientiane Mai

Meeting of the National Assembly Standing Committee
The National Assembly of the National Assembly held its annual meeting on 24 December at the Lao-Japan International Cooperation and Training Center.
— Pasaxon

The President welcomed the delegation of the Buddhist Association of China
The President of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPC), Vice President of the National Assembly of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party, welcomed the President of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Vice President of the Buddhist Association of the People’s Republic of China (PRC), on December 24, 2018 at the Lao Front for National Construction.
— Pasaxon

ASSIGNED TO THE NEW GOVERNOR OF CHAIYOMBO
The ceremony was held on the 20th of December, 2018 in Chao Xiengboon, the provincial governor of Chaiyombo. Mr. Chomsak Piseth, Secretary-General of the Central Committee of the Party Central Committee, is led by the Standing Committee of the Party Committee. The provincial governor, the chief of the agency and the guards around the province Co.
— Vientiane Mai

After the flood: How villagers in Lao PDR’s Khammouane Province find their own ways to recover after a disaster
Considering the idyllic setting, listening to Mr. Khen Saplongma, the Village Chief of Vanghuapa village recount these disastrous scenes feels rather surreal.
— Reliefweb

LAUNCHING THE MONUMENT OF THE REVOLUTIONARY BASE IN THE SOUTH
On December 22, 2018, Mr. Phamkham Phaviavong, Director of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Party, the Secretary-General of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, paid a courtesy visit.
— Vientiane Mai

King family light display remembers brother who died in Laos 50 years ago
Barry Mills wipes away tears when he talks about the brother he knew as both a confidant, and the one who could tell him stories about their mother, who died in their childhood from cervical cancer.
— Muscatine Journal

Attapeu Launches Visit Laos Year 2018
Attapeu authorities announced on Dec 24 the launch of Visit Laos Year 2018 and the celebration of Xaysetthathirath King Festival in the presence of Deputy Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone.
— KPL

Struggling family leaves home to work on coffee farm
His home is only a few kilometres from Pakxe city, the capital of Champassak province and the most developed area of southern Laos, but Sak’s family and many others struggle to find work, especially if they have little education.
— Borneo Bulletin

SHARING HEALTH EDUCATION
The University of Science and Technology (MAS) organized a Scientific Research Workshop to celebrate the 60th anniversary of 1958-2018.
— Vientiane Mai

Feature photo Global News

This week’s morning news photo features a defining moment, event, or situation from 2018 for each country as chosen by our editors.

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.