Lao morning news for April 29

Govts sign Thai-Lao rail deal
Thailand, China, and Laos have signed a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) on the development of a rail line between Nong Khai and Vientiane in Laos, which forms part of China’s much-touted Belt and Road initiative.
— Bangkok Post

Laos backs China-led BRI trade infrastructure expansion
President Bounnhang Vorachit has voiced the Lao government’s support for the China-led Belt and Road Initiative, saying the global project will help to transform Laos from being landlocked into a land link.
— Vientiane Times

7,000 children set to benefit from new education project
An education project benefiting 7,000 children will get underway this year which officials expect will improve school governance, assist with school readiness and develop basic literacy and numeracy skills among pre-school and primary school students.
— Vientiane Times

China-Laos railway to be fully operational by end of 2021
Photo taken on April 12, 2019 show the construction site of the Pu’er railway station of the China-Laos railway in Pu’er City, southwest China’s Yunnan Province,. Linking Yuxi City in Yunnan and the Lao capital Vientiane, the China-Laos railway is expected to be fully operational by the end of 2021.
— Global Times

Joining forces for sustainable development
Lao People’s Democratic Republic’s development story is one of a nation with its sights firmly set on building a prosperous future in concert with the broader region.
— Modern Diplomacy

Is Lao afraid of Industry 4.0?
The ASEAN Post recently published an article stating that Lao PDR is somewhat left behind compared to other ASEAN countries when it comes to getting ready for the Fourth Industrial Revolution, also known as Industry 4.0.
— The Asean Post

Oudomxay authorises Chinese companies to build tourist facilities
Oudomxay province has given the green light to Chinese companies to create visitor facilities at a waterfall and hot springs in Houn and La districts, in acknowledgement of Visit Laos-China Year 2019.
— Vientiane Times (paywall)

Vientiane, Ho Chi Minh City ink agreement to improve workers’ skills
Vientiane and Ho Chi Minh City signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) last week aiming to build comprehensive cooperation in labour and social welfare.
— Vientiane Times (paywall)

In Laos, A Chinese-Funded Railway Sparks Hope For Growth — And Fears Of Debt
In Southeast Asia’s only landlocked country, the Mekong River is a lifeline. From a slow boat heading up the river in Laos, you’ll see fishermen working in their boats, riverside farms where bananas grow, and domesticated buffalo lazing.
— NPR

Lao-Thai-Australian friendship celebrated at bridge’s 25th anniversary
A raft of activities took place over the weekend to mark the 25th anniversary of the opening of the first Lao-Thai friendship bridge, which was funded by Australia, highlighting Australia’s continuing pivotal role in maintaining peace and prosperity in the Mekong region.
— Vientiane Times

Mittaphab Hospital, Japanese partner join forces to set up emergency command centre
Laos and a Japanese non-profit organisation will open a command and control centre at Mittaphab Hospital in Vientiane to improve emergency medical care, especially for road accident victims.
— Vientiane Times (paywall)

What China’s Belt And Road Means For Elephants In Laos
Laos is known as the “Land of a Million Elephants.” But after decades of loss of habitat, there are fewer than 1,000 left. Now those remaining may be endangered by a Chinese-backed rail line.
— NPR

Ministry looks to 2025 with latest five-year agricultural strategy
The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry has outlined plans to ensure it is on track to meet the goals of its agriculture development strategy for 2025.
— Vientiane Times (paywall)

Slash and Burn Farming in Laos Causes Severe Smog in Vientiane
Residents of Laos’ capital Vientiane have been forced to endure a blanket of heavy smog caused by slash and burn agriculture since March.
— Radio Free Asia

KOICA supports capacity building for labour inspectors
The Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) has been hosting a series of fellowship programmes to improve the capacity of Lao labour inspectors through enhanced background knowledge and practical case studies.
— Vientiane Times (paywall)

Vangvieng official rubbishes social media landfill fire claims
A Vangvieng district official confirmed that garbage at the local landfill site was not burning and affecting residents and the environment, contrary to social media comments made last Saturday.
— Vientiane Times (paywall)

President Bounhhang Meets China’s NPC Standing Committee Chairman
President Bounnhang Vorachit and his delegation met with the Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress Li Zhanshu and his delegation on Apr 26.
— KPL

Xayaburi’s first unit in full swing, ready after first sync ceremony
Xayaburi Power Company Limited, a subsidiary of CK Power Public Company Limited (CKPower), has successfully achieved the Unit Operation of its first unit (Unit#1) after a formal synchronisation ceremony recently.
— Vientiane Times (paywall)

Empowering adolescent girls through comprehensive action
Thongmai lives in a remote village in Xepon district of Savannakhet province with her husband and three children. She got married at the age of 15 and had to drop out of school. She gave birth to her first child at the age of 17.
— Vientiane Times (paywall)

Men Folder brand to hit the catwalk at Vientiane WOW Fashion Week
Lao fashion brand Men Folder will offer up a new collection and share the spotlight with other designers next month on the runway at Vientiane WOW Fashion Week 2019.
— Vientiane Times (paywall)

Laos’s eyes on the final
Laos are at the centre of discussions, especially after storming into the semifinals by flooding their opponents with goals in the Bangamata U-19 Women’s International Gold Cup, and the Southeast Asian nation will be favourites against Kyrgyzstan in the first semifinal at the Bangabandhu National Stadium today.
— The Daily Star

Feature photo International JAZZ FEST Vientiane 2019

This week’s Lao morning news feature photo acknowledges International Jazz Day, April 30.

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.

Lao morning news for April 29 added by Stella-maris Ewudolu on April 29, 2019
View all posts by Stella-maris Ewudolu →

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Stella-maris Ewudolu

Journalist at AEC News Today

Stella-maris graduated with a Bachelor of Arts, Education from Ebonyi State University, Nigeria in 2005.

Between November 2010 and February 2012 she was a staff writer at Daylight Online, Nigeria writing on health, fashion, and relationships. From 2010 – 2017 she worked as a freelance screen writer for ‘Nollywood’, Nigeria.

She joined AEC News Today in December 2016.