Lao morning news for January 4, 2019

Govt merges two special trading areas
Businesses operating in a border trade area at a Lao-Vietnamese border crossing in Savannakhet province will soon be offered special tax and non-tax incentives as in special economic zones.
— Vientiane Times

1.2 Trillion Kip Needed For Road Renovation
The Department of Bridges and Roads has said it needs 1,200 billion kip to implement 20 projects and 148 contracts on road repair and construction nationwide.
— KPL

Laos records 38 deaths in road crashes within 5 days
Laos has registered 38 deaths in road crashes in five days of the New Year celebration.
— Menafn

Lao govt outlines plans for education development in 2019
The Lao government plans to improve the standard of education in 2019 by increasing school enrolment and ensuring that more children complete at least primary school education.
— Eleven Myanmar

Champassak, Luang Prabang, Xieng Khuang among top tourist destinations this winter
Luang Prabang, Champassak, Phongsaly, Xieng Khuang and Vientiane provinces are the most popular tourist destinations this winter, according to tour operators.
— Vientiane Times

Can the Land of a Million Elephants Survive the Belt and Road?
Chinese-funded projects in Laos could hasten the eradication of the elephant population.
— The Diplomat

CURRENTLY, WE HAVE DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS WITH 141 COUNTRIES
On December 28, 2018, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs held a meeting to conclude the annual work plan for 2018 and the annual plan for 2019.
— Vientiane Mai

Laos plans 12 new hydropower projects this year
Laos intends to complete 12 new hydropower dam projects in 2019 with a total capacity of 1,950 megawatts, the Vietnam News Agency reported on January 2, quoting local media.
— Menafn

Lao PM to visit Vietnam for annual cooperation meeting
Lao Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith will lead a Lao delegation to visit Vietnam and co-chair the annual Laos-Vietnam cooperation committee meeting scheduled on Jan. 5 and Jan. 6.
— Xinhua

STOP THE SERVICE OF MORE THAN 200 PRIVATE CLINICS
The Ministry of Public Health ordered the closure of 248 clinics or clinics across the country after examination.
— Vientiane Mai

Ministry makes plans for Visit Laos-China Year 2019
Lao and Chinese authorities are considering whether to officially launch Visit Laos-China Year 2019 at the end of this month or during Chinese New Year in early February.
— Vientiane Times

Southern Lao flood victims call for urgent provision of housing
Flood victims in southern Laos’ Attapeu Province are calling for urgent provision of housing, local daily Vientiane Times reported on Thursday.
— Xinhua

Xayabouri launches 2018 provincial government conference
The opening of the Xayabouri Provincial Administrative Office opened in late December at the meeting hall of the provincial office by President of Yongsing Pisethit Deputy Governor of Xayaboury Province, Xayaboury Province, with the participation of more than 70 members of the provincial Party Committee, the Provincial Party Committee, the Heads of Departments, the Departments, the Governor and the State-owned enterprises.
— Pasaxon

Feature photo J&C Service

This week’s morning news photo focuses on the death, pain, and loss that typically occurs at this time of year on Asean roads due to drunk driving, speeding, and a failure to wear protective helmets when travelling on motorbikes.

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.