Lao morning news for March 21

Lao PDR Granted Japanese Grant Aid Of USD 8.9 Million
The government of Japan has provided grant assistance worth JPY 1 billion (USD 8.9 million) to the Lao PDR to support its socio-economic development.
— KPL

Govt concludes observations on implementing child rights’ convention
Laos remains committed to realising the rights of the child with authorities holding workshops to discuss concluding observations for all sectors at central and provincial level in order to develop their action plans.
— Vientiane Times

Four countries launch 80th joint patrol on Mekong River
The 80th Mekong River joint patrol, led by China, Laos, Myanmar, and Thailand, started from Jinghong port in China’s southwestern province of Yunnan province on March 19.
— Vietnamplus

Canada Fund for Local Initiatives is now open for Cambodia, Lao People’s Democratic Republic (PDR) and Thailand
The Embassy of Canada in Thailand and Canada’s Diplomatic Offices in Cambodia and Lao PDR have launched their annual call for proposals for the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI).
— Funds for NGOs

Laos’ Deputy Prime Minister Blames PNPC Dam Collapse on Poor Planning
Laos’ deputy prime minister has identified poor soil analysis for a fatal hydropower dam collapse, often described as the country’s worst flooding in decades.
— Radio Free Asia

Health ministry targets sustainable traditional medicine production
Health authorities are working to develop a sustainable traditional medicine sector in the country based on ecologically sound practices, a meeting in Vientiane province on Tuesday heard.
— Vientiane Times (paywall)

Feasibility study for Donkang Khong development gets green light
A green light has been given to the Krittaphong Group to carry out a feasibility study for the development of Donkang Khong in Sangthong district, Vientiane.
— Vientiane Times (paywall)

Govt awards medal to outstanding UK researcher
The Lao government has awarded the Cross of Labour medal to a researcher from the United Kingdom in recognition of the outstanding contribution he has made to the quality of lab and data management systems at Mahosot Hospital Microbiology Laboratory in Vientiane.
— Vientiane Times

Russia Imported Laotian WWII-Era T-34 Tanks, Gave Laos Modernized T-72s in Return
Earlier this year Russia began deliveries of the T-72B1 tank to Laos. As part of the settlement Russia in return requested and received 30 WWII-era T-34 tanks that Laotian army had still been using to the present.
— Checkpoint Asia

People breathe easier after rain in Vientiane
Air pollution levels of particulate matter that are 2.5 micrometres and less in diameter (PM2.5) have returned to safe levels after a few days of rainfall.
— Vientiane Times (paywall)

Vietnam, Laos hold great potential for cooperation: Party official
Potential for cooperation between Vietnam and Laos remains huge, especially in economy, said Nguyen Van Binh, Politburo member and head of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee’s Economic Commission.
— Vietnamplus

Authorities intervene as Na No land dispute escalates
Authorities have stepped in to prevent escalation of a dispute over land rights in Ban Na No, Xaysetha district, Vientiane.
— Vientiane Times (paywall)

Thirty-one Lao University Students To Join Youth-Exchange Programmes In Japan
Thirty-one Lao students and one supervisor departed Wattay International Airport for Japan to participate in one of two exchange programmes, the “Japanese Culture Exchange” or the “Youth Leader Exchange” programmes, under the framework of JENESYS 2018 which is supported by the Japanese Government.
— KPL

Research Centre expands rattan programme to meet demands
The Forest Science Research Centre under the National Agriculture and Forestry Research Institute is expanding its sustainable rattan seedling programme in response to increased growth and demand in the country’s rattan furniture industry.
— Vientiane Times (paywall)

Vietnamese Ambassador congratulates Laos on Party founding anniversary
Vietnamese Ambassador to Laos Nguyen Ba Hung visited the headquarters of the Commission for External Relations of the People’s Revolutionary Party (LPRP) Central Committee in Vientiane on March 20 to extend congratulations on the LPRP’s 64th founding anniversary (March 22, 1955-2019).
— Nhan Dan Online

Lao man injured in suicide attempt in Yasothon
A Lao man was severely injured after he turned a homemade pistol on himself following a quarrel with his Thai wife in Yasothon’s Lerng Nok Tha district on Tuesday, police said.
— The Nation (very annoying pop-ups)

Japanese Speech Contest 2019 Highlights Students’ Language Abilities
The 16th Japanese Speech Contest was held at the Vientiane Secondary School in Vientiane Capital, on Mar 16 to promote Japanese language studies in the Lao PDR and provide an opportunity for local students to demonstrate their linguistic abilities.
— KPL

Feature photo World Bank Photo Collection

This week’s Lao morning news feature photo acknowledges World Water Day, March 22.

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.