On 15 September, Assurances Generale Laos (AGL) announced that longtime Chief Executive Officer Guy Apovy has stepped down after 19 years in the role.
Replacing Apovy on an interim basis is Sengaloun Inmyxai, who has been appointed Acting CEO by the Ministry of Finance.
The announcement was made during a handover and retirement ceremony held on September 15 at the Amari Hotel in Vientiane.
The Ministry, as AGL’s sole shareholder, confirmed the appointment through Notice No. 2855/MoF dated 5 September 5.
The company’s Board of Directors is expected to formalize the move in its next resolution.
Apovy first took over as CEO in July 2006 and has led the company through almost two decades of growth in the Lao insurance market. During his time, AGL expanded its range of insurance products and maintained its position as the country’s largest insurer.
Although stepping down, Apovy is in talks with AGL about continuing in a consultancy role to provide support and advice.
The company said business operations and commitments to clients and partners will continue without interruption under the leadership of Sengaloun.
https://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/WhatsApp-Image-2025-09-16-at-14.31.52-1920x1280-1.jpeg12801920Soutsada Xaphouvonghttps://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Lao-Simply-Beautiful-.webpSoutsada Xaphouvong2025-09-15 15:58:412025-09-16 16:05:17Assurances Generale Laos Announces CEO Change After Nearly Two Decades
World Bank Laos – A decision announced today by the Lao Ministry of Agriculture and Environment will promote nature-based tourism in forested areas of Laos.
The regulation provides incentives for small-scale private investment in national parks and protected areas through projects that create jobs, contribute to environmental preservation and build economic partnerships with communities.
The Decision on Tourism in Forest Areas is supported by a World Bank-financed business leveraging facility to attract investors from registered micro, small, and medium enterprises. The facility will provide tourism companies with advisory services on product development, training on nature-based tourism requirements, and funding for small public infrastructure, marketing, and other aspects of tourism development.
“The Lao PDR is developing sustainable private sector–driven nature-based tourism as one of the pillars of the next National Socio-Economic Plan and its National Green Growth Strategy,” said Kikeo Singnavong, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Forestry.
“Carefully regulated tourism development can bring great benefits in both employment and income generation for local people in forested areas, providing an economic incentive for them to conserve biodiversity and natural beauty.”
The business leveraging facility, part of the World Bank supported Lao Landscapes and Livelihoods project, provides three types of financing: for planning and feasibility work, challenge funds that target priority investment in particular areas, and matching funds for product development and marketing work.
Interested companies will be able to apply through prospectuses prepared by the Department of Forestry for each of the five national parks (Hin Nam No, Nam Et-Phou Louey, Nakai-Nam Theun, Phou Hin Poun, and Phou Khao Khouay) and three protected areas (Khoun Xe Nong Ma, Laving Lavern, and Yord Nam Mo-Phou Sam Soum).
“Under the business leveraging facility, companies can access funds and technical support to develop tourism that will benefit local people through jobs while preserving the environment’s natural beauty, provided the companies meet the standards set by the government and follow protected area management plans, guidelines and regulations,” said Viengsamay Srithirath, World Bank Senior Country Officer for Laos.
Also attending the announcement were representatives and residents of the national parks and protected areas, related government agencies, and Inthy Deuansavanh, president of the Lao Tourism Association, who detailed some of the investment opportunities available in the eight protected areas.
The World Bank estimates that nature-based tourism could grow to provide about 10% of GDP and 10 percent of jobs in Laos.
This project aims to create job opportunities for 75,000 women alone.
Laos is making a significant leap in digital development with the launch of its first large-scale Artificial Intelligence (AI) system. The initiative aims to improve digital processing of the Lao language while promoting innovation in artificial intelligence and technology.
On 9 September, the Faculty of Natural Sciences at the National University of Laos signed a Memorandum of Agreement with SX Group to jointly research and develop a Lao Large Language Model.
The project also includes the creation of the Lao Corpus, a comprehensive and standardized database of the Lao language.
The AI model will enable more accurate understanding and processing of Lao, while the Lao Corpus will serve as the essential data source for training the system.
Together, they will support the development of cutting-edge language technologies that reflect the latest advancements in AI.
The collaboration also aims to strengthen national capacity by building technical expertise and fostering innovation. The partnership also includes shared access to hardware, software, and databases, along with joint research, expert exchanges, and training programs for students. These efforts aim to enhance Laos’s AI capabilities while aligning with international standards.
In a similar development on the same day, the Ministry of Technology and Communications signed an agreement to improve digital skills among civil servants from 2025 to 2029.
The initiative, supported by USD 9.9 million in funding from the Korea International Cooperation Agency, will establish a Digital Human Resources Development Center to improve governance and public service delivery.
As part of a broader digital transformation, Laos will also launch a nationwide Digital ID card in October.
The card will store personal data, support e-government services, and function as a secure travel document with advanced biometric features for both domestic and international use.
These initiatives are central to Laos’s Digital Economy Strategy 2030. Digital economy currently contributes 3 percent of the country’s GDP, a figure projected to rise to 7 percent by 2030 and 10 percent by 2040.
https://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Lao-Language-AI-model.jpg6271200Soutsada Xaphouvonghttps://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Lao-Simply-Beautiful-.webpSoutsada Xaphouvong2025-09-13 15:46:002025-09-16 15:49:31Lao Language to Be Integrated into New AI System for Greater Fluency
Assurances Generale Laos Announces CEO Change After Nearly Two Decades
On 15 September, Assurances Generale Laos (AGL) announced that longtime Chief Executive Officer Guy Apovy has stepped down after 19 years in the role.
Replacing Apovy on an interim basis is Sengaloun Inmyxai, who has been appointed Acting CEO by the Ministry of Finance.
The announcement was made during a handover and retirement ceremony held on September 15 at the Amari Hotel in Vientiane.
The Ministry, as AGL’s sole shareholder, confirmed the appointment through Notice No. 2855/MoF dated 5 September 5.
The company’s Board of Directors is expected to formalize the move in its next resolution.
Apovy first took over as CEO in July 2006 and has led the company through almost two decades of growth in the Lao insurance market. During his time, AGL expanded its range of insurance products and maintained its position as the country’s largest insurer.
Although stepping down, Apovy is in talks with AGL about continuing in a consultancy role to provide support and advice.
The company said business operations and commitments to clients and partners will continue without interruption under the leadership of Sengaloun.
source: https://laotiantimes.com/2025/09/16/assurances-generale-laos-announces-ceo-change-after-nearly-two-decades/
New Incentives for Nature-Based Tourism Investment in Lao Forests
World Bank Laos – A decision announced today by the Lao Ministry of Agriculture and Environment will promote nature-based tourism in forested areas of Laos.
The regulation provides incentives for small-scale private investment in national parks and protected areas through projects that create jobs, contribute to environmental preservation and build economic partnerships with communities.
The Decision on Tourism in Forest Areas is supported by a World Bank-financed business leveraging facility to attract investors from registered micro, small, and medium enterprises. The facility will provide tourism companies with advisory services on product development, training on nature-based tourism requirements, and funding for small public infrastructure, marketing, and other aspects of tourism development.
“The Lao PDR is developing sustainable private sector–driven nature-based tourism as one of the pillars of the next National Socio-Economic Plan and its National Green Growth Strategy,” said Kikeo Singnavong, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Forestry.
“Carefully regulated tourism development can bring great benefits in both employment and income generation for local people in forested areas, providing an economic incentive for them to conserve biodiversity and natural beauty.”
The business leveraging facility, part of the World Bank supported Lao Landscapes and Livelihoods project, provides three types of financing: for planning and feasibility work, challenge funds that target priority investment in particular areas, and matching funds for product development and marketing work.
Interested companies will be able to apply through prospectuses prepared by the Department of Forestry for each of the five national parks (Hin Nam No, Nam Et-Phou Louey, Nakai-Nam Theun, Phou Hin Poun, and Phou Khao Khouay) and three protected areas (Khoun Xe Nong Ma, Laving Lavern, and Yord Nam Mo-Phou Sam Soum).
“Under the business leveraging facility, companies can access funds and technical support to develop tourism that will benefit local people through jobs while preserving the environment’s natural beauty, provided the companies meet the standards set by the government and follow protected area management plans, guidelines and regulations,” said Viengsamay Srithirath, World Bank Senior Country Officer for Laos.
Also attending the announcement were representatives and residents of the national parks and protected areas, related government agencies, and Inthy Deuansavanh, president of the Lao Tourism Association, who detailed some of the investment opportunities available in the eight protected areas.
The World Bank estimates that nature-based tourism could grow to provide about 10% of GDP and 10 percent of jobs in Laos.
This project aims to create job opportunities for 75,000 women alone.
source: https://laotiantimes.com/2025/09/12/new-incentives-for-nature-based-tourism-investment-in-lao-forests/
Lao Language to Be Integrated into New AI System for Greater Fluency
Laos is making a significant leap in digital development with the launch of its first large-scale Artificial Intelligence (AI) system. The initiative aims to improve digital processing of the Lao language while promoting innovation in artificial intelligence and technology.
On 9 September, the Faculty of Natural Sciences at the National University of Laos signed a Memorandum of Agreement with SX Group to jointly research and develop a Lao Large Language Model.
The project also includes the creation of the Lao Corpus, a comprehensive and standardized database of the Lao language.
The AI model will enable more accurate understanding and processing of Lao, while the Lao Corpus will serve as the essential data source for training the system.
Together, they will support the development of cutting-edge language technologies that reflect the latest advancements in AI.
The collaboration also aims to strengthen national capacity by building technical expertise and fostering innovation. The partnership also includes shared access to hardware, software, and databases, along with joint research, expert exchanges, and training programs for students. These efforts aim to enhance Laos’s AI capabilities while aligning with international standards.
In a similar development on the same day, the Ministry of Technology and Communications signed an agreement to improve digital skills among civil servants from 2025 to 2029.
The initiative, supported by USD 9.9 million in funding from the Korea International Cooperation Agency, will establish a Digital Human Resources Development Center to improve governance and public service delivery.
As part of a broader digital transformation, Laos will also launch a nationwide Digital ID card in October.
The card will store personal data, support e-government services, and function as a secure travel document with advanced biometric features for both domestic and international use.
These initiatives are central to Laos’s Digital Economy Strategy 2030. Digital economy currently contributes 3 percent of the country’s GDP, a figure projected to rise to 7 percent by 2030 and 10 percent by 2040.
source: https://laotiantimes.com/2025/09/12/lao-language-to-be-integrated-into-new-ai-system-for-greater-fluency/