Lao morning news for May 24

Laos-Vietnam trade deficit set to drop to US$227 million
The Lao government has set a target of reducing the trade deficit with Vietnam to about US$227 million this year, with the country producing more products for export.
— ANN/ Vientiane Times

Northern Laos battles locust outbreak
Northern Lao province of Huaphan has been affected by yellow-spined bamboo locusts and local authorities are working hard to stop further destruction of vegetation.
— Xinhuanet

Scorched Earth Development in Northern Laos
In April 2019 I traveled through northwest Laos to check in on the current state of several cross-border development projects, including the now-completed Namtha dam, the Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone (SEZ), and the construction of a high-speed railway from the Chinese border to Vientiane, part of China’s global Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
— The Diplomat

IMF unveils Lao economic projection
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has projected that Laos’ economic growth will remain strong this year, with the under-construction Laos-China railway seen as one of the main driving forces of growth.
— Vientiane Times (paywall)

An urgent call to prevent assassination by Thai State of 6 Thai political refugees in Laos
Since 2006 and 2014 military coups in Thailand, there are about 50 Thai political exiles in Laos, half due to lese majeste law.
— ESSF

Budget constraints hamper management of natural disasters
Laos has done much in the past year to reduce the negative impacts of natural disasters but faces a number of challenges including budget constraints.
— Vientiane Times (paywall)

Lao’s tourism troubles
In early 2018, the government of Lao had targeted to attract around five million tourists and earn around US$900 million by the year’s end.
— The Asean Post

Vietnam, Laos share experience in mass mobilisation work
The Commission for Mass Mobilisation of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee and the Lao Front for National Construction (LFNC) Central Committee worked out directions for bilateral cooperation in the time ahead at their talks in Vientiane on May 22.
— NDO

Bankers learn about new global payment methods
Laos’ banks are hopeful that the introduction of quick and quality services will also come with added security in the cross-border payment process, to better serve and protect clients.
— ANN/ Vientiane Times

Business shortcuts the cause of banana problems, ministry says
The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry said yesterday that problems surrounding banana plantations in Laos were due to the fact that investors carried out negotiations directly with local communities instead of going through full legal channels.
— ANN/ Vientiane Times

Govt vows to further improve business environment
The government cabinet has pledged to continue efforts to streamline procedures to better facilitate business operations.
— Vientiane Times

Laos, Korea assess projects to provide vocational training for women
The Republic of Korea’s Ministry of Gender Equality and Family has been providing support to the Lao Women’s Training Centre, run by the Lao Women’s Union, for the provision of vocational courses for marginalised women.
— Vientiane Times (paywall)

Laos vows to preserve relationship with Vietnam
Leaders of Laos on May 23 reaffirmed that the country will work together with Vietnam to preserve the great friendship and special solidarity between the two countries, and pass down the relationship to next generations.
— Vietnamplus

FAO: Healthy diets vital for progress in Lao PDR
The UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Food Programme (WFP) have concluded a joint visit to the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR) with a call for greater investment in nutrition.
— Far Eastern Agriculture

Khammuan to have exciting new tourist attraction
Adventure activities for tourists are planned for Phou Phamarn hill in Khounkham district, Khammuan province, with the project to be undertaken by Green Discovery Laos.
— Vientiane Times

Laos: Venturing Through Southeast Asia’s Most Isolated Terrain
During a stay in a remote part of northern Laos, I head out on a morning run through the local village.
— Wall Street Journal (paywall)

City explores garbage management strategies
Vientiane authorities are exploring new waste management and disposal strategies that it is hoped will enable the city to meet accepted standards of hygiene and cleanliness while also coping with a growing industrial sector and population.
— Vientiane Times (paywall)

OPINION: What’s changed for women’s sexual and reproductive health in Laos?
To attain the 18 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) which aim to “leave no one behind” with 11 years to go, above all, acceleration is needed for countries to meet the ambitious targets.
— ANN/ Vientiane Times

Medics assess progress at annual gynaecology and obstetrics conference
Ministry of Health officials working in the field of gynaecology and obstetrics met in Vientiane for their annual meeting yesterday to review progress and discuss plans for 2019.
— Vientiane Times

More Vietnamese politics books to be translated into Lao
The Su That (Truth) National Political Publishing House will help Laos choose 10-15 books on Party and political system building, laws, and socio-economic development issues of Vietnam to translate into Lao language.
— Vietnamplus

FEATURE: Signature foods from Xanakham district are a hit
Xanakham district in Xayaboury province has been famous for its rich and fertile soil and its premium quality bananas, tamarind, pineapples and coconuts for many years.
— ANN/ Vientiane Times

Rural women get vocational training to boost their job prospects
The Ministry of Gender Equality and Family of the Republic of Korea has given its support to marginalised women in Laos by providing them with training in cooking, tailoring and beauty treatments.
— Vientiane Times (paywall)

Feature photo shankar s.

This week’s Thailand morning news feature photo acknowledges International Day for Biological Diversity, May 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.

Lao morning news for May 24 added by Stella-maris Ewudolu on May 24, 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.