Poverty persisting in Laos despite economic growth
THE economic growth rate of Laos is high compared to neighbouring countries and some regional peers, however, this has not seen poverty reduction in the country.
— The Phnom Penh Post
WB official highlights development progress made by Laos
The World Bank (WB) Vice President for East Asia and Pacific, Victoria Kwakwa highlighted the development progress made by Laos in the past decade and emphasized the importance of supporting a more inclusive and sustainable pattern of economic growth in the future.
— Xinhuanet
Variation in lowland rice yield and its determinants in a rainfed area in Savannakhet Province, Laos
Irrigated areas in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Laos) constitute only 12% of the total agricultural land.
— Springer Link
Vietnam-Laos Border Patrols Highlight Bilateral Defense Cooperation
Last week, Vietnam and Laos carried out another joint patrol between their border guard forces.
— The Diplomat
Doing, Doing, Done: Can-Do Cycle Team Dai Rides On Against Odds For HOPE Children’s Charity
Laos-based international charity cyclist charity Team Dai including keen cyclist Ms Thu Ng from Vietnam face multiple challenges, raise confidence levels and much-needed funds for disadvantaged children’s charity Hope Centre.
— The Laotian Times
Laos, Malaysia further strengthen defence ties
Laos and Malaysia have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to increase their interactions and initiate deeper defence cooperation in ways that will serve the common interests of the two countries.
— Vientiane Times
Japan, health ministry review successes in control of malaria
The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Ministry of Health have assessed the outcomes of the JICA/AMED Science and Technology Research Partnership for Sustainable Development (SATREPS) project over five years.
— Vientiane Times (paywall)
Feature: China-Laos railway brings up Lao apprentice to craftsman
Working for more than two years on the China-Laos railway construction site, Noy Sonemany has turned himself from an unskilled house builder in the town to a “Railway Craftsman” with outstanding professional skills.
— Xinhuanet
Deputy PM advises on ICT development
Deputy Prime Minister Somdy Duangdy yesterday advised the post and telecommunications sector to continue developing and expanding the nation’s information and communications technology (ICT) infrastructure.
— Vientiane Times
Transport officials announce Road Safety Week programme
Vientiane is gearing up for its fifth Road Safety Week in a bid to remind road users of the importance of safe and considerate driving and reduce the rising toll of accidents.
— Vientiane Times (paywall)
United States and Laos Celebrate Five Years of Cooperation on Trade Facilitation and Economic Integration
On March 22, 2019, officials from the Governments of Laos and the United States celebrated the successful completion of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) LUNA II project at a ceremony at the Lao Plaza Hotel in Vientiane.
— Press Release Point
Laos, Mongolia, Kazakhstan Among Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia Debuts
The annual Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia 2019 list has been issued, and it sees several nationalities make a well-deserved debut on the Forbes honor roll, with some tech projects gaining significant recognition.
— BitcoinNews.com
SDG Secretariat hosts regional conference
The National SDG Secretariat of Laos recently hosted a regional conference in Luang Prabang province on “Implementation of the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 12, Sustainable Consumption and Production Patterns” for government officials from Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, the Philippines and Vietnam.
— Vientiane Times (paywall)
Experts proud of efforts to improve nutrition
Experts from the Scaling Up Nutrition Civil Society Alliance (SUN CSA) met in Vientiane yesterday to discuss efforts to improve nutrition in target provinces around Laos.
— Vientiane Times (paywall)
Margaux Senlis photographs the effects of unexploded ordnance in Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos
“I used to love looking at old family pictures trying to imagine all the stories behind them,” says Paris-born photographer Margaux Senlis.
— Nice
Feature photo UNDP
This week’s Lao morning news feature photo acknowledges International Mine Awareness Day, April 4.
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.

Stella-maris Ewudolu
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.

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