On 18 February, the Embassy of Canada to Laos hosted a workshop in Vientiane Capital on emerging issues in the Canada-ASEAN Free Trade Agreement (ACAFTA).
This full-day workshop, the second of its kind, outlined Canada’s objectives for ACAFTA chapters addressing emerging trade issues. Canadian experts presented opportunities for enhanced collaboration to support successful negotiations and sustainable development.
More than 30 participants attended the event, including members of the Lao government’s Trade Negotiation Committee and its subsidiary bodies, embassy staff, and Lao entrepreneurs.
The workshop built upon commitments made during the ASEAN Summit in Vientiane in October 2024, where ASEAN and Canada agreed to finalize ACAFTA by the end of this year.
Trade negotiation experts from Laos and Canada explored key topics such as inclusive trade, environmental provisions, and labor standards.
Saysana Sayakone, Director General of the Department of Trade Negotiation and Economic Cooperation at the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, emphasized the importance of ACAFTA for Laos, stating:
“ACAFTA presents a transformative opportunity for Laos to enhance its economic growth and competitiveness by expanding market access, attracting investment, and integrating more deeply into regional and global value chains.
“As we navigate emerging trade issues, including inclusive trade, environmental standards, and labour practices, Laos is committed to ensuring that the agreement supports sustainable development and benefits all sectors of the Lao economy, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises. We look forward to continued collaboration with Canada to maximize the potential of ACAFTA and to promote inclusive and resilient economic growth.”
Chargé d’Affaires of Canada to Laos, Kent Vachon, highlighted the significance of ACAFTA, stating:
“Trade diversification is important for Canada, Laos, and the rest of ASEAN. ACAFTA will drive mutual and sustainable economic growth while making Laos more attractive to investors. This workshop provided a timely platform to advance understanding and collaboration, and included Lao businesses keen to capitalize on the opportunities presented by this trade agreement.”
Since 2021, Canada and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) have been negotiating ACAFTA. ASEAN is Canada’s fourth-largest merchandise trading partner, with bilateral trade reaching USD 26 billion in 2022 and a trade surplus of just over USD 17 billion in ASEAN’s favor.
Over the past three months, Lao and Russian military bomb disposal experts removed 285 UXO items from 157,887 square meters of land that have been surveyed and cleared of Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) in Viengxay district, Houaphanh Province.
Out of a planned area of 187,180 square meters, 29,395 square meters still remain to be cleared of UXO. These explosives were removed from an administration office construction site, a school, and farmland in Nakai village, Viengxay district.
These figures were reported at the 3rd monthly meeting on Lao-Russia cooperation in clearing and deactivating UXO held on 15 February in Houaphanh Province.
In addition, 18,367 scrap metals were removed, along with 39 BLU-28 and 1 BLU-24 munitions and 11 weapons.
Unexploded Ordnance in the agricultural land of local people
The goal of UXO clearance is to give the land back to local people for agricultural and construction purposes and to prevent casualties and injuries from unexploded devices, especially among children.
Since 2018, the Laos-Russian army UXO clearance operation has surveyed 170 hectares of land and removed more than 2,300 pieces of ordnance.
Laos is the most heavily bombed country in the world per capita, with an estimated 80 million unexploded devices still littered across the country, posing a threat to lives and livelihoods, according to the National Regulatory Authority for UXO/Mine Action Sector in Laos.These munitions have killed or injured more than 50,000 people since 1964 and continue to claim about 100 victims each year.
The government has set a target to remove all unexploded ordnance by 2030 and has received support from numerous countries and organizations to help fulfill this ambition.
https://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/480548721_1196293419173139_6782686857967941524_n.jpg6041080Sylivanla Vongphachanhhttps://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Lao-Simply-Beautiful-.webpSylivanla Vongphachanh2025-03-04 01:25:002025-02-25 10:07:33Russia, Laos Clear Over 285 Unexploded Ordnance in Past Three Months
The National University of Laos (NUOL) has announced plans to expand student accommodations at its main campus in Dong Dok village, Vientiane.
On 18 February, the university signed an agreement with Lakxay Investment Company Limited, a private firm tasked with developing the dormitories. The project will be built on 53,279 square meters of state-owned land.
The lease agreement, which runs for 50 years with the possibility of renewal, is valued at an initial annual rate of USD 12,319. The company will begin paying rent in 2030, with a 5 percent increase every five years.
According to the Ministry of Finance, the initiative is intended to enhance student housing and improve educational services at NUOL, providing better living conditions for students in the future.
However, concerns have emerged on social media regarding the university’s existing dormitories, with many users suggesting they have been neglected.
https://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Sea-Game-Dormitory-at-the-National-University-of-Laos.jpg6271200Sylivanla Vongphachanhhttps://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Lao-Simply-Beautiful-.webpSylivanla Vongphachanh2025-03-03 01:23:002025-02-25 10:06:19National University of Laos to Expands Student Housing with New Dormitory Project
Laos, Canada Strengthen Partnership Toward Canada-ASEAN Free Trade Agreement
On 18 February, the Embassy of Canada to Laos hosted a workshop in Vientiane Capital on emerging issues in the Canada-ASEAN Free Trade Agreement (ACAFTA).
This full-day workshop, the second of its kind, outlined Canada’s objectives for ACAFTA chapters addressing emerging trade issues. Canadian experts presented opportunities for enhanced collaboration to support successful negotiations and sustainable development.
More than 30 participants attended the event, including members of the Lao government’s Trade Negotiation Committee and its subsidiary bodies, embassy staff, and Lao entrepreneurs.
The workshop built upon commitments made during the ASEAN Summit in Vientiane in October 2024, where ASEAN and Canada agreed to finalize ACAFTA by the end of this year.
Trade negotiation experts from Laos and Canada explored key topics such as inclusive trade, environmental provisions, and labor standards.
Saysana Sayakone, Director General of the Department of Trade Negotiation and Economic Cooperation at the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, emphasized the importance of ACAFTA for Laos, stating:
“ACAFTA presents a transformative opportunity for Laos to enhance its economic growth and competitiveness by expanding market access, attracting investment, and integrating more deeply into regional and global value chains.
“As we navigate emerging trade issues, including inclusive trade, environmental standards, and labour practices, Laos is committed to ensuring that the agreement supports sustainable development and benefits all sectors of the Lao economy, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises. We look forward to continued collaboration with Canada to maximize the potential of ACAFTA and to promote inclusive and resilient economic growth.”
Chargé d’Affaires of Canada to Laos, Kent Vachon, highlighted the significance of ACAFTA, stating:
“Trade diversification is important for Canada, Laos, and the rest of ASEAN. ACAFTA will drive mutual and sustainable economic growth while making Laos more attractive to investors. This workshop provided a timely platform to advance understanding and collaboration, and included Lao businesses keen to capitalize on the opportunities presented by this trade agreement.”
Since 2021, Canada and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) have been negotiating ACAFTA. ASEAN is Canada’s fourth-largest merchandise trading partner, with bilateral trade reaching USD 26 billion in 2022 and a trade surplus of just over USD 17 billion in ASEAN’s favor.
Source: https://laotiantimes.com/2025/02/20/laos-canada-strengthen-partnership-toward-canada-asean-free-trade-agreement/
Russia, Laos Clear Over 285 Unexploded Ordnance in Past Three Months
Over the past three months, Lao and Russian military bomb disposal experts removed 285 UXO items from 157,887 square meters of land that have been surveyed and cleared of Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) in Viengxay district, Houaphanh Province.
Out of a planned area of 187,180 square meters, 29,395 square meters still remain to be cleared of UXO. These explosives were removed from an administration office construction site, a school, and farmland in Nakai village, Viengxay district.
These figures were reported at the 3rd monthly meeting on Lao-Russia cooperation in clearing and deactivating UXO held on 15 February in Houaphanh Province.
In addition, 18,367 scrap metals were removed, along with 39 BLU-28 and 1 BLU-24 munitions and 11 weapons.
The goal of UXO clearance is to give the land back to local people for agricultural and construction purposes and to prevent casualties and injuries from unexploded devices, especially among children.
Since 2018, the Laos-Russian army UXO clearance operation has surveyed 170 hectares of land and removed more than 2,300 pieces of ordnance.
Laos is the most heavily bombed country in the world per capita, with an estimated 80 million unexploded devices still littered across the country, posing a threat to lives and livelihoods, according to the National Regulatory Authority for UXO/Mine Action Sector in Laos.These munitions have killed or injured more than 50,000 people since 1964 and continue to claim about 100 victims each year.
The government has set a target to remove all unexploded ordnance by 2030 and has received support from numerous countries and organizations to help fulfill this ambition.
Source: https://laotiantimes.com/2025/02/20/russia-laos-clear-over-285-unexploded-ordnance-in-past-three-months/
National University of Laos to Expands Student Housing with New Dormitory Project
The National University of Laos (NUOL) has announced plans to expand student accommodations at its main campus in Dong Dok village, Vientiane.
On 18 February, the university signed an agreement with Lakxay Investment Company Limited, a private firm tasked with developing the dormitories. The project will be built on 53,279 square meters of state-owned land.
The lease agreement, which runs for 50 years with the possibility of renewal, is valued at an initial annual rate of USD 12,319. The company will begin paying rent in 2030, with a 5 percent increase every five years.
According to the Ministry of Finance, the initiative is intended to enhance student housing and improve educational services at NUOL, providing better living conditions for students in the future.
However, concerns have emerged on social media regarding the university’s existing dormitories, with many users suggesting they have been neglected.
Source: https://laotiantimes.com/2025/02/19/national-university-of-laos-to-expands-student-housing-with-new-dormitory-project/