The Vientiane Times
NA members want tougher oversight on chemical use
National Assembly members have proposed that the government impose tougher measures in managing the distribution and use of dangerous chemicals so they can be brought under control. NA members expressed their wish on October 31 when debating the NA’s Standing Committee oversight of social and environmental ...
Child Fund Australia supports children in Xieng Khuang
Child Fund Australia has provided more than US$1.1 million to support development outcomes relating to health, education, water, sanitation and nutrition for children in Khoun district, Xieng Khuang province. Funds will also go to support the continued need for improvements in education access and quality, targeting ...
Ministry demands closure of factory, chicken farm
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment has recommended revoking the licences of a chicken farm and a brick factory in Xaythany district, Vientiane, after learning they were causing pollution and affecting nearby communities. Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Sommad Pholsena told the National Assembly ...
Authorities bolster efforts to stem illegal wildlife trade
Despite concerted efforts by officials to end the illegal wildlife trade through regular inspections at markets throughout the country, the trade continues to flourish. To reduce illegal wildlife trading in Laos, especially in the main towns, the authorities have asked various agencies to join the ...
Agricultural research in remote areas to be extended
The National Agriculture and Forestry Research Institute and National University of Laos will continue a collaborative research project for the improvement of the livelihoods of small-scale farmers in semi-mountainous areas. The two parties will continue to work at the Japan International Research Centre for Agricultural ...
500m yuan payout for property owners alongside railway may be too small
The compensation to be paid to the owners of parcels of land and buildings that will be used or demolished to make way for the Laos-China railway may not be enough. Ministers addressed this issue at the National Assembly’s ongoing debate session on October 26, ...
Mekong countries discuss measures to boost region's development
Leaders of the five Mekong countries discussed measures to promote cooperation and make the region more dynamic and competitive at the two summits that convened in Hanoi on October 26. The capital is hosting both the 8th Cambodia-Laos-Myanmar-Vietnam Summit and the 7th Ayeyawady-Chao Phraya-Mekong Economic Cooperation ...
Govt seeks to increase bank deposits to 84 percent of GDP
The government has announced its intention to increase deposits in commercial banks to 84 percent of Gross Domestic Product by 2020, up from the 57 percent expected in 2016, in a bid to meet growing development needs. Governor of the Bank of the Lao PDR, Mr. ...
Parliament calls for full revenue collection
National Assembly members have called for the government to do more to seek new revenue sources and fully collect revenue following last fiscal year’s revenue shortfall despite there being numerous income generating sources. Members of parliament put forward the requirement when debating the government’s proposal to ...
USAID funds project to monitor HIV prevalence
Laos has a concentrated HIV epidemic compared to other countries, with the prevalence of HIV still at a low level in key groups. But risk behaviours threaten to increase the prevalence of HIV transmission amongst the population so the National Centre for HIV/AIDS and Sexually Transmitted ...
