Aid and development
EC, NLA unnerved by referendum-law challenge
The chiefs of the Election Commission and the National Legislative Assembly showed confidence on 9 June the draft charter referendum remained on course despite the latest decision by the Constitutional Court. The controversial words are “violent, aggressive, rude,” which the petitioners find vague and subjective and open ...
Amid turmoil, EU calls for review of aid to Cambodia
The European Parliament on Thursday passed a resolution accusing the Cambodian government of laying politically motivated charges against the opposition and calling for aid cuts if its respect for human rights fails to improve—a loud echo of a resolution it passed just six months ago. “Today, ...
IMF urges Thailand rate cuts that central bank says not needed
The International Monetary Fund called on policy makers in Thailand to cut interest rates in the face of a sluggish economy and low inflation, an approach that the central bank says isn’t necessary. Thailand needs expansionary fiscal and monetary policies to help spur an economy that’s ...
UNICEF pledges to improve child welfare in Laos
The United Nations Children’s Fund has committed to strongly supporting the Lao government’s efforts to improve the quality of education and healthcare as well as combat malnutrition problems in the country. Ms Hongwei Gao, UNICEF Lao PDR Representative stressed the importance of providing opportunities and a supportive ...
Govt, ADB consult on new country partnership strategy
The Lao government and the Asian Development Bank have jointly discussed preparations for the new ADB Country Partnership Strategy 2017-2021, to align ADB’s support with Lao development priorities in its next five year plan. The consultation meeting was held in Vientiane on 2 June and was jointly ...
World Bank provides US$30m for fight against poverty
The World Bank has agreed to provide a low interest loan of US$30 million to fight poverty in Laos, a government source has said. The Lao government will contribute another US$6 million bringing total funding from the three sources to US$52 million. This amount will be ...
Govt, UNDP agree project to conserve Savannakhet's ecosystems
The government of Laos has just signed a new UNDP programme funded by the Global Environment Facility, which is set to conserve and manage forests in five districts of Savannakhet province, over the next six years. Dry dipterocarp forests are under pressure as large areas have ...
Tender planned for $2b Yangon-Mandalay railway upgrade
A Tender for private companies to work on a US$2.2 billion upgrade of the railway linking Myanmar’s two largest cities will be called at the end of this year, an official said on 23 May. Work on the Yangon-Mandalay railway, led by the Japan International Cooperation ...
Donors pledge millions to extend fight against poverty
Switzerland has agreed to provide a grant of US$16 million, while the World Bank has expressed its intention to offer a low interest loan of US$30 million to fight poverty in Laos. If secured, the funds will be used to finance Phase III of the Poverty ...
New support to protect Lao wetlands from climate change
The Global Environment Facility has pledged US$4.7 million to protect Lao wetlands from climate change. Laos has defined two wetland areas under the Ramsar Convention on ‘Wetlands of International Importance’ which covers all aspects of wetland conservation and wise use. These wetland areas are Xe Champone in ...
