The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the European Union (EU) launched the ASEAN-EU Blue Book 2024-2025 at the ASEAN Headquarters in Jakarta on 8 May. The Blue Book underscores the strategic partnership between ASEAN and the EU and showcases new cooperation programs under the EU’s Global Gateway strategy.
The launch event was officiated by Kao Kim Hourn, Secretary-General of ASEAN; Sujiro Seam, Ambassador of the European Union to ASEAN; and Hjayceelyn M. Quintana, Permanent Representative of the Philippines to ASEAN and Country Coordinator for ASEAN-EU Dialogue Relations. Diplomats from Permanent Missions and Embassies of EU Member States graced the occasion along with staff from the ASEAN Secretariat and ASEAN-EU programs.
The Blue Book serves as a testament to the robust and comprehensive cooperation between ASEAN and the EU with the aim of ensuring regional peace and security, fostering sustainable connectivity, promoting free and fair trade, and advancing sustainable development across ASEAN.
This year’s Blue Book also highlights the Team Europe approach and Initiatives on sustainable connectivity and green transition in the ASEAN region. Under the Global Gateway strategy, the EU has pledged to mobilize EUR 10 billion in investment from Team Europe for green and connectivity programs in ASEAN.
‘In 47 years of ASEAN-EU relations, we have proven the strength of our strategic partnership and what we can do together in the face of global challenges. This Blue Book offers a comprehensive overview of the multifaceted and deep relationship between our regions and the commitments of our two regions to join hands in the pursuit of our common goals,’ said Sujiro Seam, Ambassador of the European Union to ASEAN.
Ambassador of the European Union to ASEAN, Sujiro Seam (Photo supplied)
‘The ASEAN-EU Blue Book continues to serve as a valuable platform in showcasing the EU’s meaningful support towards ASEAN Community-building efforts, the potential of our Strategic Partnership as well as the progress and key achievements in the implementation of the ASEAN-EU Plan of Action (2023-2027). I share the significance of the Blue Book in advancing the visibility of our partnership to generate awareness among all stakeholders in our regions,’ said Kao Kim Hourn, Secretary-General of ASEAN.
Kao Kim Hourn, Secretary-General of ASEAN (photo supplied)
Ambassador Hjayceelyn M. Quintana also conveyed that, ‘As we go through every page of the Blue Book, I invite our ASEAN and EU partners to implement more activities and projects that would further enhance our partnership. Deepening the strategic partnership between ASEAN and EU, two of the world’s most advanced and successful regional organizations could serve as a model of partnership for other groupings around the world, which contribute to the promotion of international peace, stability, and prosperity.’
Permanent Representative of the Philippines to ASEAN and Country Coordinator for ASEAN-EU Dialogue Relations Hjayceelyn M. Quintana (Photo supplied)
Highlights of the ASEAN-EU Blue Book 2024-2025 include:
The December 2022 ASEAN-EU Commemorative Summit and the 24th ASEAN-EU Ministerial Meeting, held in February 2024 in Brussels;
The Global Gateway initiative, showcasing the EU’s commitment of €10 billion from Team Europe for green and connectivity projects in ASEAN;
The October 2023 5th ASEAN-EU Policy Dialogue on Human Rights, preceded by the 3rd ASEAN-EU Civil Society Forum and followed by the AICHR-EU study visit to Strasbourg;
EU cooperation priorities and updates on EU-supported projects across key sectors in ASEAN;
Compelling stories from the field, illustrating the tangible impact of ASEAN-EU cooperation on the lives of ASEAN’s citizens
https://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/9-1.jpg6271200Sylivanla Vongphachanhhttps://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Lao-Simply-Beautiful-.webpSylivanla Vongphachanh2024-05-20 08:59:002024-05-20 08:01:24Forging Forward: ASEAN, EU Launch Blue Book 2024-2025
In Laos, where traditional retail infrastructure lags behind its Southeast Asian neighbors, online shopping has become a trend despite its limited e-commerce presence, largely driven by social media platforms and innovative cross-border shopping.
With a lack of established e-commerce platforms within the country, Lao citizens have adapted by leveraging social media, particularly Facebook and TikTok, as a virtual marketplace. Groups and pages dedicated to buying and selling everything from clothing to electronics have proliferated, creating an online shopping ecosystem.
Phiyada “Namfon” Ounthong, a 24-year-old employee, has been selling home appliances and clothes on her personal Facebook account since 2019 to make extra income. She explained that she opted for Facebook as her sales platform because it is the most widely used compared to others.
“Many people have started buying things online because of how convenient it is,” Namfon said.
“Customers can select their preferred products and price, and then either collect them from a shipping company of their choice or have them delivered to their doorstep.”
Namfon added that she has her customers transfer money to her personal bank account and then deliver the products to a shipping company chosen by the customer.
Despite the slow emergence of e-commerce in Laos, some goods demanded by customers may not be available in-country. This situation forces Lao people to navigate the complexity of the problem by using middlemen to facilitate cross-border shipping. For instance, many buyers have found ways to purchase and receive products from Thai e-commerce platforms like Shopee and Lazada, which do not typically deliver to Laos.
Dokfa Malaythong, a 23-year-old resident of Vientiane Capital, often shops in Thailand and appreciates the diverse range of products available there compared to Laos.
“In Thailand, they have unique clothing styles that I like but can’t find in Laos,” Dokfa said. “One of my most unique purchases from Thailand was an LED clip-on reading light, something Laos doesn’t offer.”
She explained that some people in Laos even buy food and food-related products from Thailand, showing the diverse needs of Lao people that go beyond what their own country offers.
“I order and pay for the products on the official e-commerce website before paying the middleman to retrieve them for me,” Dokfa added. Without revealing the middleman’s identity, she mentioned that her products usually arrive at a storage room provided by the middleman, where she goes to retrieve them and complete her purchases.
E-commerce has become increasingly popular in Laos, especially amid the COVID-19 pandemic. This trend has led the Lao government to recognize the importance of establishing clear regulations to safeguard investors. The introduction of a new decree to support e-commerce growth has bolstered trust in digital transactions among both businesses and consumers.
Latthana Douangboupha, the deputy director general of the SMEs Promotion Department in the Lao Ministry of Industry and Commerce, highlighted the importance of e-commerce in empowering SMEs during a seminar in Vientiane on 15 September last year. The seminar aimed to develop e-commerce policies and strategies to strengthen SMEs in the digital era, with government officials and representatives from various Lao companies gathering to exchange knowledge and experiences in e-commerce and digital business.
Despite the apparent success of online shopping in Laos, challenges remain. The reliance on social media and informal cross-border arrangements can be risky, with issues such as fraud and product quality concerns being raised. Furthermore, the lack of a formal e-commerce system within Laos limits the potential for growth and the establishment of consumer protections that are standard in more developed e-commerce markets.
Laos’ online shopping landscape presents a unique case study in the evolution of e-commerce in developing countries. As online shopping continues to grow in popularity, there is a pressing need to develop formal e-commerce regulations within Laos to ensure consumer protection and sustainable growth.
In response to the surge in tourism, Laos is ramping up efforts to ensure tour guides are well-equipped, as many currently lack adequate training.
Deputy Minister of Information, Culture, and Tourism Darany Phommavongsa spearheaded discussions on this issue, highlighting the importance of preparing guides for the influx of visitors.
A training course, scheduled from 6 May to 19 July in Vientiane Capital, will focus on imparting essential skills for guiding tourists across Laos’ key sites, blending classroom teachings with practical field exercises. Darany emphasized the critical need for proficient guides to maintain high standards and curb the unlawful practice of foreign guides taking local positions.
The primary goal of this course is to prepare tour guides to meet the increasing demands of domestic tourism. Since Laos officially reopened after the Covid-19 pandemic in May 2022, there has been a rapid increase in tourist numbers, with around 3.4 million visitors recorded in 2023 alone. Popular destinations such as Vientiane Province’s Vang Vieng, Feuang District, Luang Prabang, and Champasack Provinces have seen significant increases in visitor numbers.
Alongside this tourism growth, the sector is facing operational challenges due to a shortage of skilled workers, particularly tour guides. There is a specific lack of guides who are fluent in languages spoken by tourists from various countries, including Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, English, and French, among others.
Darany stressed the necessity of maintaining high standards in the tourism sector and ensuring that trained guides meet the expected criteria. She cited concerns over the prevalence of unqualified foreign guides, which contravenes existing regulations.
“This job should be reserved solely for Lao nationals and we should not allow people from other countries to do this job. But to be successful, we must strengthen our capabilities in this domain to supply a sufficient number of qualified guides to cater to all visitors,” she said.
However, the issue of a shortage of tourism workers is a recurring challenge for the tourism industry in Laos, as discussed by several tourism experts in January 2023.
Jason Rolan, an American tourism expert based in Laos, echoed Darany’s statement while sharing his own. From Rolan’s perspective, Laos’ tour guide availability is cripplingly low during peak periods for certain markets. This seasonal polarity is a constant problem. “Historically, the high periods are extremely high, while the low periods are often very quiet,” he added.
“Specifically, for the Chinese market, there is a shortage of guides as the number of Chinese tourists visiting Laos is increasing due to improved connectivity. It’s time for the guide pool to keep up,” said Rolan.
According to the tourism expert, the shortage stemmed from the impact of Covid-19, which he described as “dealt an awful blow to the tourism industry,” including tour guides. This global pandemic has driven numerous workers away to find work in other fields, as tourists could not visit Laos. After the pandemic subsided, many workers who left the industry did not return.
“The industry needs to find enough people to replace them and recruit more to supply certain markets which are also increasing,” added Rolan.
Rolan attributed the challenges of recruiting new guides to limited guide training sessions, typically held only once per year and for a maximum of around 50 people. He also noted that most Lao people do not usually view tourism and hospitality jobs as stable career paths.
With over 1.1 million foreign tourists visiting Laos in the first quarter of this year, a 36 percent increase from 2023, the demand for skilled guides is more pressing than ever. This surge is due to the ongoing Visit Laos Year campaign and the rising popularity of the Laos-China Railway, which traverses through tourist-rich provinces like Luang Prabang and Oudomxay.
Under the Visit Laos Year 2024 initiative, tourism authorities and businesses are enhancing services at accommodations, eateries, and attractions to enhance the overall visitor experience.
As Laos gears up to host more tourists, ensuring well-trained guides is paramount. By prioritizing local talent, the country aims to not only meet but exceed visitor expectations, offering a memorable and enriching experience for all.
https://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/LSP_website_manuals_tourists-750.jpg449750Sylivanla Vongphachanhhttps://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Lao-Simply-Beautiful-.webpSylivanla Vongphachanh2024-05-13 09:39:342024-05-13 09:39:38Laos to Enhance Tour Guide Training to Meet Growing Tourism Demands
Forging Forward: ASEAN, EU Launch Blue Book 2024-2025
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the European Union (EU) launched the ASEAN-EU Blue Book 2024-2025 at the ASEAN Headquarters in Jakarta on 8 May. The Blue Book underscores the strategic partnership between ASEAN and the EU and showcases new cooperation programs under the EU’s Global Gateway strategy.
The launch event was officiated by Kao Kim Hourn, Secretary-General of ASEAN; Sujiro Seam, Ambassador of the European Union to ASEAN; and Hjayceelyn M. Quintana, Permanent Representative of the Philippines to ASEAN and Country Coordinator for ASEAN-EU Dialogue Relations. Diplomats from Permanent Missions and Embassies of EU Member States graced the occasion along with staff from the ASEAN Secretariat and ASEAN-EU programs.
The Blue Book serves as a testament to the robust and comprehensive cooperation between ASEAN and the EU with the aim of ensuring regional peace and security, fostering sustainable connectivity, promoting free and fair trade, and advancing sustainable development across ASEAN.
This year’s Blue Book also highlights the Team Europe approach and Initiatives on sustainable connectivity and green transition in the ASEAN region. Under the Global Gateway strategy, the EU has pledged to mobilize EUR 10 billion in investment from Team Europe for green and connectivity programs in ASEAN.
‘In 47 years of ASEAN-EU relations, we have proven the strength of our strategic partnership and what we can do together in the face of global challenges. This Blue Book offers a comprehensive overview of the multifaceted and deep relationship between our regions and the commitments of our two regions to join hands in the pursuit of our common goals,’ said Sujiro Seam, Ambassador of the European Union to ASEAN.
‘The ASEAN-EU Blue Book continues to serve as a valuable platform in showcasing the EU’s meaningful support towards ASEAN Community-building efforts, the potential of our Strategic Partnership as well as the progress and key achievements in the implementation of the ASEAN-EU Plan of Action (2023-2027). I share the significance of the Blue Book in advancing the visibility of our partnership to generate awareness among all stakeholders in our regions,’ said Kao Kim Hourn, Secretary-General of ASEAN.
Ambassador Hjayceelyn M. Quintana also conveyed that, ‘As we go through every page of the Blue Book, I invite our ASEAN and EU partners to implement more activities and projects that would further enhance our partnership. Deepening the strategic partnership between ASEAN and EU, two of the world’s most advanced and successful regional organizations could serve as a model of partnership for other groupings around the world, which contribute to the promotion of international peace, stability, and prosperity.’
Highlights of the ASEAN-EU Blue Book 2024-2025 include:
Download the ASEAN-EU Blue Book 2024-2025:
Source: https://laotiantimes.com/2024/05/09/forging-forward-asean-eu-launch-blue-book-2024-2025/
https://europa.eu/!kkmHnD
Source: https://laotiantimes.com/2024/05/09/forging-forward-asean-eu-launch-blue-book-2024-2025/
Laos Embraces Online Shopping via Social Media, Cross-Border Innovation
In Laos, where traditional retail infrastructure lags behind its Southeast Asian neighbors, online shopping has become a trend despite its limited e-commerce presence, largely driven by social media platforms and innovative cross-border shopping.
With a lack of established e-commerce platforms within the country, Lao citizens have adapted by leveraging social media, particularly Facebook and TikTok, as a virtual marketplace. Groups and pages dedicated to buying and selling everything from clothing to electronics have proliferated, creating an online shopping ecosystem.
Phiyada “Namfon” Ounthong, a 24-year-old employee, has been selling home appliances and clothes on her personal Facebook account since 2019 to make extra income. She explained that she opted for Facebook as her sales platform because it is the most widely used compared to others.
“Many people have started buying things online because of how convenient it is,” Namfon said.
“Customers can select their preferred products and price, and then either collect them from a shipping company of their choice or have them delivered to their doorstep.”
Namfon added that she has her customers transfer money to her personal bank account and then deliver the products to a shipping company chosen by the customer.
Despite the slow emergence of e-commerce in Laos, some goods demanded by customers may not be available in-country. This situation forces Lao people to navigate the complexity of the problem by using middlemen to facilitate cross-border shipping. For instance, many buyers have found ways to purchase and receive products from Thai e-commerce platforms like Shopee and Lazada, which do not typically deliver to Laos.
Dokfa Malaythong, a 23-year-old resident of Vientiane Capital, often shops in Thailand and appreciates the diverse range of products available there compared to Laos.
“In Thailand, they have unique clothing styles that I like but can’t find in Laos,” Dokfa said. “One of my most unique purchases from Thailand was an LED clip-on reading light, something Laos doesn’t offer.”
She explained that some people in Laos even buy food and food-related products from Thailand, showing the diverse needs of Lao people that go beyond what their own country offers.
“I order and pay for the products on the official e-commerce website before paying the middleman to retrieve them for me,” Dokfa added. Without revealing the middleman’s identity, she mentioned that her products usually arrive at a storage room provided by the middleman, where she goes to retrieve them and complete her purchases.
E-commerce has become increasingly popular in Laos, especially amid the COVID-19 pandemic. This trend has led the Lao government to recognize the importance of establishing clear regulations to safeguard investors. The introduction of a new decree to support e-commerce growth has bolstered trust in digital transactions among both businesses and consumers.
Latthana Douangboupha, the deputy director general of the SMEs Promotion Department in the Lao Ministry of Industry and Commerce, highlighted the importance of e-commerce in empowering SMEs during a seminar in Vientiane on 15 September last year. The seminar aimed to develop e-commerce policies and strategies to strengthen SMEs in the digital era, with government officials and representatives from various Lao companies gathering to exchange knowledge and experiences in e-commerce and digital business.
Despite the apparent success of online shopping in Laos, challenges remain. The reliance on social media and informal cross-border arrangements can be risky, with issues such as fraud and product quality concerns being raised. Furthermore, the lack of a formal e-commerce system within Laos limits the potential for growth and the establishment of consumer protections that are standard in more developed e-commerce markets.
Laos’ online shopping landscape presents a unique case study in the evolution of e-commerce in developing countries. As online shopping continues to grow in popularity, there is a pressing need to develop formal e-commerce regulations within Laos to ensure consumer protection and sustainable growth.
Source: https://laotiantimes.com/2024/05/09/laos-embraces-online-shopping-via-social-media-cross-border-innovation/
Laos to Enhance Tour Guide Training to Meet Growing Tourism Demands
In response to the surge in tourism, Laos is ramping up efforts to ensure tour guides are well-equipped, as many currently lack adequate training.
Deputy Minister of Information, Culture, and Tourism Darany Phommavongsa spearheaded discussions on this issue, highlighting the importance of preparing guides for the influx of visitors.
A training course, scheduled from 6 May to 19 July in Vientiane Capital, will focus on imparting essential skills for guiding tourists across Laos’ key sites, blending classroom teachings with practical field exercises. Darany emphasized the critical need for proficient guides to maintain high standards and curb the unlawful practice of foreign guides taking local positions.
The primary goal of this course is to prepare tour guides to meet the increasing demands of domestic tourism. Since Laos officially reopened after the Covid-19 pandemic in May 2022, there has been a rapid increase in tourist numbers, with around 3.4 million visitors recorded in 2023 alone. Popular destinations such as Vientiane Province’s Vang Vieng, Feuang District, Luang Prabang, and Champasack Provinces have seen significant increases in visitor numbers.
Alongside this tourism growth, the sector is facing operational challenges due to a shortage of skilled workers, particularly tour guides. There is a specific lack of guides who are fluent in languages spoken by tourists from various countries, including Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, English, and French, among others.
Darany stressed the necessity of maintaining high standards in the tourism sector and ensuring that trained guides meet the expected criteria. She cited concerns over the prevalence of unqualified foreign guides, which contravenes existing regulations.
“This job should be reserved solely for Lao nationals and we should not allow people from other countries to do this job. But to be successful, we must strengthen our capabilities in this domain to supply a sufficient number of qualified guides to cater to all visitors,” she said.
However, the issue of a shortage of tourism workers is a recurring challenge for the tourism industry in Laos, as discussed by several tourism experts in January 2023.
Jason Rolan, an American tourism expert based in Laos, echoed Darany’s statement while sharing his own. From Rolan’s perspective, Laos’ tour guide availability is cripplingly low during peak periods for certain markets. This seasonal polarity is a constant problem. “Historically, the high periods are extremely high, while the low periods are often very quiet,” he added.
“Specifically, for the Chinese market, there is a shortage of guides as the number of Chinese tourists visiting Laos is increasing due to improved connectivity. It’s time for the guide pool to keep up,” said Rolan.
According to the tourism expert, the shortage stemmed from the impact of Covid-19, which he described as “dealt an awful blow to the tourism industry,” including tour guides. This global pandemic has driven numerous workers away to find work in other fields, as tourists could not visit Laos. After the pandemic subsided, many workers who left the industry did not return.
“The industry needs to find enough people to replace them and recruit more to supply certain markets which are also increasing,” added Rolan.
Rolan attributed the challenges of recruiting new guides to limited guide training sessions, typically held only once per year and for a maximum of around 50 people. He also noted that most Lao people do not usually view tourism and hospitality jobs as stable career paths.
With over 1.1 million foreign tourists visiting Laos in the first quarter of this year, a 36 percent increase from 2023, the demand for skilled guides is more pressing than ever. This surge is due to the ongoing Visit Laos Year campaign and the rising popularity of the Laos-China Railway, which traverses through tourist-rich provinces like Luang Prabang and Oudomxay.
Under the Visit Laos Year 2024 initiative, tourism authorities and businesses are enhancing services at accommodations, eateries, and attractions to enhance the overall visitor experience.
As Laos gears up to host more tourists, ensuring well-trained guides is paramount. By prioritizing local talent, the country aims to not only meet but exceed visitor expectations, offering a memorable and enriching experience for all.
Source: https://laotiantimes.com/2024/05/08/laos-to-enhance-tour-guide-training-to-meet-growing-tourism-demands/