Lao morning news for May 30

Laos and SK Engineering Clash over Cause of Dam Collapse
A South Korean construction firm has dismissed the latest findings by the Lao government that are cited as the reason for a fatal hydropower dam collapse last year in Laos.
— The Laotian Times

Visitor numbers from high-end, target countries plummet
The number of visitors to Laos from high-end and target countries declined significantly in the first three months of this year compared to the same period in 2018, a recent report reveals.
— Vientiane Times (paywall)

Lao Authorities Allow Chinese Firm to Plant on Land Promised to Dam Collapse Survivors
A Chinese-backed firm is growing bananas on land promised by the government of Laos as compensation to survivors of a 2018 dam collapse that that has been described as the country’s worst flooding in decades, RFA’s Lao Service has learned.
— Radio Free Asia

Lao PDR’s Green Growth Reforms Get $40 million Boost with Credit from World Bank
The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors approved today a US$40 million credit to support Lao PDR’s shift to a more sustainable growth model.
— World Bank (media release)

2020 target of 70 percent forest cover unlikely to be met: Report
Forest cover is expected to increase to 68 percent of the country’s land area by 2020, slightly below the target of 70 percent, the latest report on the matter suggests.
— Vientiane Times

Japan funds upgrade of water supply system in Luang Prabang
The government of Japan has agreed to provide 97 million yen (US$880,201) to expand the water supply system in the city of Luang Prabang.
— Vientiane Times

China-Laos expressway framework agreement inked
China Yunnan Construction and Investment Holding Group (YCIH) and the Lao Ministry of Planning and Investment have signed a cooperation framework agreement for the China-Laos expressway in Lao capital Vientiane.
— Xinhuanet

Vietnam set to import more electricity from China, Laos
Vietnam plans to import more electricity from China and Laos in the coming years as its power supply is running out, Vietnam News Agency reported on Wednesday.
— Xinhuanet

Tests underway to save Lao banana industry
The Lao government has agreed to work with an Australian company to conduct testing into the ability of the soil wetting agent “NSA Wilt Stop” to control fungal diseases in Lao banana plantations.
— ANN/ Vientiane Times

Pullman Luang Prabang inaugurated MICE Meeting Showcase 2019
Luang Prabang, Laos – Pullman Luang Prabang recently hosted its inaugural MICE Meeting Showcase 2019, inviting industry professionals and members of the media to discover how it can facilitate MICE experience for all types of group.
— TravelDailyNews

Laos, China to create additional digital television channels
The Lao and Chinese governments have agreed to collaborate on the creation of more digital channels which will allow Lao and Chinese television audiences a broader range of programmes.
— Vientiane Times (paywall)

China: Laos Recognizes Patent Examination Results Made By China
The National IP Administration of China (CNIPA) issued the Announcement No. 307, formally announcing that as of April 29, 2019, patent applicants who own valid Chinese patents may request accelerated decisions on patents in Laos for patent applications which they have filed with the Department of Intellectual Property (DIP), Ministry of Science and Technology of Lao People’s Democratic Republic under the cooperation between CNIPA and DIP.
— Mondaq

Vietnam, Laos work to improve training cooperation quality
The Ministry of Education and Training of Vietnam and the Ministry of Education and Sports of Laos co-hosted a forum in Vientiane on May 29, seeking to improve the quality of training cooperation of the two countries.
— Vietnamplus

Litter Picking Event Held To Promote Waste Free Habits
The Department of Environmental Quality, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, in cooperation with the Environment Protection Fund organised on May 27 a litter picking event to raise public awareness of waste-free habits in Vientiane Capital.
— KPL

Japan x Sabai: Sounds, Sights, Tastes, Smiles, Friendship a Feast at Tokyo’s Laos Festival ’19
Dancing, Friendship, Frivolity & Unmistakable Sound of World Heritage Listed Bamboo-Piped Khaen Among the Greetings to Tokyo’s Famous Yoyogi Park for Japan’s Laos Festival 2019, The Laotian Times reports.
— The Laotian Times

Australia Helps Improve English Skills For Lao Army Officers
The Australian Department of Defence works closely with the Lao People’s Army (LPA) to improve English capability of local armed force officers.
— KPL

EBRI Q1 2019 results: Bangladesh, Ethiopia, Laos top list of most-improved investor locations since 2013
The Euromoney Belt and Road Index (EBRI) reveals the Middle East leapfrogging Africa, with its economic and investor climate improving for the first time.
— Euromoney

Feature photo Unicef

This week’s Lao morning news feature photo acknowledges International Children’s Day, June 1.

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 30 added by Stella-maris Ewudolu on May 30, 2019
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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.