Aid and development
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 ...
Government rolls out ambitious plan to eliminate hunger
Backed by the U.N., Cambodia on 4 May launched a national action plan to completely eliminate hunger in the country by 2025, the first step in an ambitious initiative that the government signed on to last year. Newly appointed Agriculture Minister Veng Sakhon said during the plan’s ...
World Bank helps Vietnam improve transport, flood control
The World Bank on 29 April approved more than US$500 million in support for improvements to road and bridge connections as well as flood control and sanitation conditions in Vietnam. The project aims to protect more than 255,000 residents and about 5,720 hectares out of 8,390 frequently ...
Fishery groups step up bid to avoid EU action
Isara Vongkusolkit, chairman of the Thai Chamber of Commerce, said the chamber was gravely concerned about the IUU issue and had tried its best to promote cooperation with private counterparts in the fishing industry to create a traceability system for products. Mr Poj insisted that, whatever ...
Laos parliament approves development plans
The inaugural session of the National Assembly’s 8th Legislature ended on 22 April with the approval of the 8th five-year National Social Economic Development Plan for 2016-2020, the 10-year Strategy for 2016-2025, and the 15-year Vision for 2016-2030. The three-day session elected Mr Bounnhang Vorachit as President ...
PM casts fisheries chief adrift
The regime has decided to remove Thailand Fisheries Department chief Wimol Jantrarotai for making slow progress in addressing illegal fishing amid concerns Thailand is still at risk of being slapped with a red card by the European Union. Keep reading ...
Vietnam seeks Japan’s assistance in climate change response
President Tran Dai Quang asked for Japan’s continued assistance in responding to climate change, especially drought and saline intrusion in the central, Central Highlands and southern regions, while receiving Japanese Ambassador to Vietnam Fukada Hiroshi in Hanoi on 19 April. The State leader thanked Japan for ...
ADB affirms support for Lao development
ADB President Takehiko Nakao on 4 April met Lao Prime Minister Thongsing Thammavong, Minister of Finance Dr Lien Thikeo and Minister of Planning and Investment Mr Somdy Douangdy, to discuss how the ADB can support the country’s infrastructure, private sector, skills development, and health services to enable ...
Japanese ODA approved for transport, environment plans
The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has signed agreements with Viet Nam to provide Official Development Assistance loans worth a total of 95.17 billion yen (US$847.39 million) to develop four projects. The ODA loans are expected to enhance the country’s competitiveness and promote environmental improvements. Keep reading ...
