The Prime Minister of Laos, Mr. Sonexay Siphandone discussed plans to address the increase in school dropout rates and decline in student enrolment across Laos during the ongoing National Assembly session in Vientiane Capital on Monday.
During the meeting, Prime Minister Sonexay highlighted various factors contributing to the alarming decline in school-going rates. He attributed this decline to personal circumstances, poor school conditions, and financial hardships faced by parents.
In addition, the Prime Minister emphasized that the absence of dormitory facilities in certain rural schools, as well as the long distances that some children have to travel to reach school, further discourage regular attendance, particularly among girls and children from low-income households.
To resolve this issue, Mr. Sonexay emphasized that the Ministry of Education would extend support to financially disadvantaged students by ensuring access to basic educational materials and exempting them from paying school fees. Schools in rural areas will undergo improvements as well to ensure that residential facilities are made available for students.
He also outlined a comprehensive plan for the next six months, including an emphasis on vocational training for students. The government aims to encourage applicants to select courses that equip them with practical skills, enabling them to secure employment and become self-sufficient upon graduation.
To strengthen the education system, the government will also expedite the enactment of an education law that will hold parents accountable for the completion of their children’s education. Local education authorities and parent associations will also be roped in to ensure that this law is followed.
Additionally, officials from the Ministry of Education will carry out assessments to ensure the quality of education being imparted.
According to UNICEF, 2022 saw a significant increase in learning losses among Lao children due to school closures, high dropouts, and low enrollment rates.
The report showed a worrisome 2.7 percent decrease in young children attending school, and both primary and middle schools experienced lower student intake and a concerning rise in dropout rates, especially among boys. All the more concerning was the fact that only 77 percent of students reached Grade 5, which is the same level as the 2015/16 academic year.
The lack of access to affordable and quality education poses a serious threat to the country’s progress and socioeconomic development. To address this crisis, the government needs to swiftly implement efficient plans that will help the country tide over this alarming decline in student attendance in schools across Laos.
During the current National Assembly session, the government has also vowed to tackle the shortage of teachers in rural areas.
source: https://laotiantimes.com/2023/07/05/lao-prime-minister-addresses-alarming-decline-in-school-enrollment-pledges-solutions/
Lao Prime Minister Addresses Alarming Decline in School Enrollment, Pledges Solutions
The Prime Minister of Laos, Mr. Sonexay Siphandone discussed plans to address the increase in school dropout rates and decline in student enrolment across Laos during the ongoing National Assembly session in Vientiane Capital on Monday.
During the meeting, Prime Minister Sonexay highlighted various factors contributing to the alarming decline in school-going rates. He attributed this decline to personal circumstances, poor school conditions, and financial hardships faced by parents.
In addition, the Prime Minister emphasized that the absence of dormitory facilities in certain rural schools, as well as the long distances that some children have to travel to reach school, further discourage regular attendance, particularly among girls and children from low-income households.
To resolve this issue, Mr. Sonexay emphasized that the Ministry of Education would extend support to financially disadvantaged students by ensuring access to basic educational materials and exempting them from paying school fees. Schools in rural areas will undergo improvements as well to ensure that residential facilities are made available for students.
He also outlined a comprehensive plan for the next six months, including an emphasis on vocational training for students. The government aims to encourage applicants to select courses that equip them with practical skills, enabling them to secure employment and become self-sufficient upon graduation.
To strengthen the education system, the government will also expedite the enactment of an education law that will hold parents accountable for the completion of their children’s education. Local education authorities and parent associations will also be roped in to ensure that this law is followed.
Additionally, officials from the Ministry of Education will carry out assessments to ensure the quality of education being imparted.
According to UNICEF, 2022 saw a significant increase in learning losses among Lao children due to school closures, high dropouts, and low enrollment rates.
The report showed a worrisome 2.7 percent decrease in young children attending school, and both primary and middle schools experienced lower student intake and a concerning rise in dropout rates, especially among boys. All the more concerning was the fact that only 77 percent of students reached Grade 5, which is the same level as the 2015/16 academic year.
The lack of access to affordable and quality education poses a serious threat to the country’s progress and socioeconomic development. To address this crisis, the government needs to swiftly implement efficient plans that will help the country tide over this alarming decline in student attendance in schools across Laos.
During the current National Assembly session, the government has also vowed to tackle the shortage of teachers in rural areas.
source: https://laotiantimes.com/2023/07/05/lao-prime-minister-addresses-alarming-decline-in-school-enrollment-pledges-solutions/
Lao Govt Assists Over 47,000 Families to Move on From Opium Cultivation
The Lao government is collaborating with private companies to encourage residents in seven northern provinces to cultivate commercial crops instead of illegally growing opium poppies.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Public Security, General Vilay Lakhamfong said during the ongoing Ninth Ordinary Session of the Fifth National Assembly that more than 54 companies have been approved to participate in this scheme.
These companies are passing on agricultural knowledge and providing jobs to locals in 1,135 villages, benefiting 47,446 families under the Alternative Development Project (ADP) in Houaphanh province.
Under this project, locals have received 100 cows across 19 villages, bringing the total number of cattle up to 298. It also assisted in the import of 1,000 bottles of lotus flower medicine from Vietnam to help treat opium addicts in rehabilitation centers in the region.
To treat opium and heroin addiction, the Department of Treatment, Ministry of Health has observed the efficacy of methadone as well and plans to purchase the drug for medical trials in Viengxay and Huameuang district, Houaphanh province.
Additionally, this project has enabled the process of importing tools, equipment, and vehicles (including 30,000 urine drug test kits, two ambulances, 11 cars, four motorbikes, office equipment, surveying equipment, and GPS navigation equipment) from Thailand, South Korea, China, and UNODC to help law enforcement officials to combat the illegal trade of opium.
According to the Vientiane Times, a survey conducted from July 2021 to March 2023 in nine northern provinces of Laos revealed 4,493 illicit poppy fields, of which 1,437 were destroyed.
In 2021-2022, some of the contracted companies were able to supply 58,560 kg of crops grown under this project to the organization Marlongo France, which was valued at USD 276,654.
source: https://laotiantimes.com/2023/07/05/lao-govt-collaborates-with-private-sectors-to-combat-opium-cultivation/
Laos to Promote Domestic Production, Reduce Imports
The Ministry of Industry and Commerce (MTC) announced a number of measures to promote domestic production and reduce imports during the 5th Ordinary Session of the 9th National Assembly last week.
Deputy Minister of Industry and Commerce, Mrs. Chansouk Sengphachanh, said that the MTC has been working with the Ministry of Planning and Investment to encourage businesses in Laos to sell domestically produced products instead of imported goods.
The MTC is also keen to promote domestic production and reduce imports by working with the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) to regulate the importation of products that can be produced domestically.
The two ministries agreed to decrease raw material exports and allocate supplies to domestic industries to assist in the export of high-value goods such as potatoes, coffee, and corn.
Additionally, the ministries together with local communities have planned on organizing a market to promote agricultural products, which shows their commitment to developing this into a detailed joint action plan.
For further support for micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), Mrs. Chansouk said that the MTC will provide loans with low-interest rates and offer technical assistance to help MSMEs improve their production quality.
This will allow domestic businesses the ability to compete in both the domestic and international markets, as Laos currently has 8 commercial banks, 11 microfinance institutions, and 2 contract partnership funds to provide loans to MSMEs.
Furthermore, the MTC will strengthen cooperation with the Bank of Lao PDR to register all importers and exporters within the next six months and develop a consolidated database of this information, allowing for better regulation of two-way trade in the country.
During the session, she said that the MTC is researching the possibility of registering overseas suppliers of certain products such as fuel to negotiate for better imports, believing that these measures will help boost the Lao economy and create jobs.
source: https://laotiantimes.com/2023/07/03/laos-to-promote-domestic-production-reduce-imports/
National Assembly Member Proposes Adjusting Lao Workers’ Wages to Current Forex Rates
During the ongoing 5th Ordinary Session of the 9th National Assembly Legislature, Mr. Xayadeth Phouiyavong, a constituent of Savannakhet’s District 13, urged the government to adjust factory workers’ wages based on current exchange rates between LAK and USD.
While praising the government’s efforts in addressing Laos’ economic challenges, Xayadeth proposed a solution to tackle the issue of workers’ wages in factories, especially in companies involved in exports and the generation of foreign currency in the country.
His proposal suggested that in the face of rampant inflation, a worker’s salary should be based on current exchange rates, especially against the US dollar. This would ensure that Lao workers get compensated fairly and maintain a decent standard of living.
Ultimately, the aim is to prevent Lao workers from leaving the country for better opportunities, which negatively impacts the socio-economic development of Laos, he said.
Highlighting the current situation, Xayadeth gave an example of how the minimum wage of LAK 1.3 million per month, once equivalent to USD 150, has now decreased to USD 68. This decline has made it challenging for workers to earn a livable income, highlighting the urgency to address the issue in the face of the ongoing economic decline.
He emphasized that the local workforce is the backbone of the country, and the acute labor shortage is going to negatively impact any efforts to stabilize the economy.
However, Laos, unlike neighboring countries like Cambodia, has a firm grasp on the use of foreign currencies. As the Law on the Management of Foreign Currency published on 30 November 2022 states, payment in foreign currency is prohibited in the country for payment for goods, services, debt, dividends, or taxes, which must be made in LAK. Moreover, employee salary, bonuses, welfare benefits, etc. must also be paid in LAK.
In an effort to retain Lao workers, Xayadeth urged the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to collaborate with the Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare to appoint labor advisers (labor ambassadors) in countries where Lao workers frequently seek employment. The purpose of these advisers would be to safeguard Lao workers from being exploited or getting trapped in human trafficking schemes.
source: https://laotiantimes.com/2023/06/29/national-assembly-member-proposes-adjusting-lao-workers-wages-to-current-forex-rates/
Laos Supports Timor-Leste in Strengthening Capacity for ASEAN Accession
Various ministries and organizations in Laos held a capacity-building workshop for Timor-Leste, ahead of its accession to ASEAN, which took place from 26-30 June.
The workshop welcomed the participation of dignitaries like Mr. Thongphan Savanphet, Vice Foreign Minister and the head of Laos’ ASEAN Senior Officials Meeting, and the Ambassador of Timor-Leste, Mrs. Renata de Jesus.
Representatives from the Department of ASEAN at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam, and the Australian Embassy in Laos also attended the event.
Additionally, representatives from the Lao Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of National Defense, the Ministry of Public Security, the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, the Ministry of Information, Culture, and Tourism, the Lao People’s Revolutionary Youth Union, and the Lao Women’s Union in Laos, were also present at the event.
According to Pasaxon, the objective of the workshop, organized by Lao representatives with the support of Australia, was to learn from the successful ASEAN applications of Laos and Vietnam.
The project also aimed to provide valuable insights into cooperation and coordination efforts within ASEAN. It specifically focused on the three pillars of the ASEAN Community: the ASEAN Political-Security Community (APSC), the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC), and the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC). It shed light on how these pillars work together at the regional level and within each member country.
This workshop is a direct implementation of the agreement reached between the bloc’s leaders at the 40th and 41st ASEAN Summit in 2022, which outlined the acceptance of Timor-Leste as the 11th member country in principle, granting it observer status.
In addition, the agreement called upon all of the bloc’s members and negotiating partners to extend their assistance in preparing for Timor-Leste’s future ASEAN membership.
source: https://laotiantimes.com/2023/06/29/laos-supports-timor-leste-in-strengthening-capacity-for-asean-accession/
Over 100,000 Tourists Enter Laos via Bokeo Province in 2023
From January to May 2023, Bokeo province reported that 116,142 tourists entered across the 4th Lao-Thai International Friendship Bridge and through the Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone Border Checkpoint.
The Provincial Department of Information, Culture, and Tourism reported that international tourists, alongside 7,300 domestic visitors, in Bokeo generated more than USD 5.8 million in revenue.
The rise in the number of visitors compared to the same period last year is more than 96,000, which is an increase of 484 percent.
The Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge 4 alone saw 57,867 visitors, which includes 48,947 passport-holding tourists and 8,920 border-pass visitors, resulting in a USD 2.9 million revenue.
The Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone Crossing attracted 58,275 visitors, including 48,412 passport-holding tourists and 9,863 border-pass visitors, generating more than USD 2.9 million.
The province received 66,593 visitors from 9 ASEAN countries, 27,437 from 30 Asian and Pacific nations, 18,480 from 38 European nations, 3,450 from 15 northern and southern American nations, and 182 from 12 African and Middle Eastern nations.
SEZs in Laos have recently been in the news for not just attracting tourists but also generating employment for over 60,000 people across the country.
source: https://laotiantimes.com/2023/06/23/over-100000-tourists-enter-laos-via-bokeo-province-in-2023/
Booyoung Group Donates 600 Buses to Improve Public Transportation in Laos
Booyoung Lao Co., Ltd. signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Lao Government on 28 June to provide 600 buses to help improve public transportation in the country.
Several dignitaries attended the event, including Alounxay Sounnalath, Head of the Prime Minister’s Office; Lee Jong Keun, President of Booyoung Lao Co., Ltd.; and other government representatives from relevant ministries, according to KPL.
The buses, which are 22-seaters, will be delivered in two phases: the first 400 buses will be delivered in 2023, and the remaining 200 buses will be delivered in 2024. Booyoung Lao will also provide a three-year, or 200,000-kilometer, warranty on the buses.
In a statement, Mr. Alounxay said that the donation of buses from Booyoung Lao is a significant contribution to the country’s socio-economic development. He added that the buses will help improve public transportation, reduce traffic congestion, and save fuel.
He also expressed his gratitude to Booyoung Lao for its support and said that the Lao government will work with the company to ensure that the buses are used effectively and efficiently.
The donation of buses is expected to further strengthen the cooperative relationship between Laos and the Republic of South Korea while improving the lives of people in Laos by providing them with more reliable and affordable public transportation.
source: https://laotiantimes.com/2023/06/29/booyoung-group-donates-600-buses-to-improve-public-transportation-in-laos/
Bokeo Airport Completes 90% Construction, Operations to Start This Year
The airport, which was expected to wrap up construction by May, is now planning to start operations by November or December of this year.
The cost of construction is estimated to be at around USD 175 million, covering an area of 300 hectares.
Construction began in September 2020 and the airport is being built according to the safety standards of the Department of Civil Aviation in Laos and the International Civil Aviation Organization, according to Lao Post.
The runway is 2,500 meters long, 45 meters wide with the shoulder of the runway having a width of 7.5 meters on each side, which is built according to the Aerodrome Reference Code 4C.
Zhao Wei, Chairman of the Executive Council of the Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone, discussed the progress of the airport during a recent media interview.
He said, “The airport construction is nearing its final stages before completion. All there is left to do is the interior and exterior decorations for the passenger building, installation of aviation communication system equipment, including security systems and other amenities in the building.”
A runway of such length and width is sufficient to handle take-off and landings of most single-aisle narrow body aircraft such as the Boeing 737-900ER, the Airbus A320 / A321 which are able to accommodate up to 200 passengers.
Zhao Wei added that there are also plans underway for an extension of the current runway and passenger building, to accommodate the Boeing 747 aircraft, which is capable of carrying up to 600 passengers at a time.
The airport is located five kilometers from Bokeo’s Special Economic Zone and 60 kilometers from Bokeo’s Houayxay region.
According to Mr. Phoun Khampha, the director of Bokeo Airport, once it starts operations, the airport will be able to manage passenger traffic of up to 2 million people annually.
source: https://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-admin/post.php?post=5068&action=edit
Luang Prabang Plans to Attract 4 Million Tourists by 2025
The province’s five-year tourism plan hopes to attract 4 million tourists by 2025. Currently, at its midway point, Luang Prabang has seen 1.1 million tourists spending over USD 500 million.
In the last two years and five months, the UNESCO heritage site has seen only 26.4 percent of the targeted amount of tourists, primarily due to the slow rebound of tourism following the Covid-19 crisis. Over the next two years, the province aims to attract 3 million tourists yielding at least USD 566 million in tourism revenue, according to the Luang Prabang News.
Mrs. Soudaphone Khomthavong, Director of Luang Prabang’s Department of Information, Culture, and Tourism, said the province has prioritized tourism as a pillar for socio-economic development in the region.
In the first five months of 2023, a total of 437,374 tourists visited the province, with 396,742 of them being international tourists. Thailand ranked first as the country with the most people visiting Luang Prabang, followed by the United States, and China.
“Despite the COVID-19 pandemic and global financial crisis, Luang Prabang can still maintain the title of being a world heritage city and a leading destination for tourists”, said Soudaphone.
She added that Luang Prabang province authorities are periodically evaluating tourism figures and monitoring visitor feedback to maintain its standards as one of the most popular destinations in Laos that aims to provide international levels of hospitality to its guests.
The province is also developing small and medium-sized attractions with modern infrastructure and facilities for tourists where it plans to organize activities to promote Luang Prabang culture, its various festivals, and food.
source: https://laotiantimes.com/2023/06/22/luang-prabang-plans-to-attract-4-million-tourists-by-2025/
Laos Joins Multinational Military Training Exercise for First Time
The annual multinational peacekeeping exercise, code-named Khaan Quest 2023, kickstarted its training at the Five Hills Training Area near the Mongolian Capital of Ulaanbaatar on Monday.
The 19th edition of the peacekeeping exercise is being attended by over 1,100 military personnel from 25 countries, including Laos, China, the US, Canada, South Korea, and India. The exercise is co-sponsored by the Mongolian Armed Forces (MAF) and the United States Army Pacific Command (USARPAC).
The 14-day exercise is aimed at enhancing cooperation between the participating nations, sharing experiences, and training uniformed personnel for the United Nations Peacekeeping Operations (UNPKO), which helps countries navigate the difficult path from conflict to peace.
The exercise will prepare participants for future UN Peacekeeping missions, develop peace operations capabilities and enhance military readiness. The two-week training includes Command Post Exercise (CPX), Field Training Exercises (FTX), combat discussions, lectures, and demonstrations.
“Mongolia always pursues peace-loving, open, independent, and multi-pillar foreign policy. The exercise has been making a significant contribution to increasing the peace support capacity of participating countries and strengthening their friendship and military trust,” Ukhnaa Khurelsukh, president of Mongolia and commander-in-chief of the Mongolian Armed Forces (MAF) said at the opening ceremony.
source: https://laotiantimes.com/2023/06/20/laos-joins-multinational-military-training-exercise-for-first-time/