Laos, South Korea enhance cooperation against money laundering, financing terrorism
The Anti-Money Laundering Intelligence Unit under the Bank of Laos and Korea Financial Intelligence Unit signed a memorandum of understanding to exchange information on preventing money laundering and the financing of terrorism. The MoU was signed on 16 December in Vientiane between Director General of the Anti-Money Laundering ...
Mekong River Dams Disrupting Lives of Southeast Asian Fishermen, Farmers
Tiem Ngern-tok pointed at the water level, shook his head and talked about dragon boat races to explain how dams in China and Laos have disrupted the lives of Thai people whose villages abut the Mekong River. “During annual boat races the water was high,” said ...
NUOL receives funding for environmental protection activities
The Environmental Protection Fund has agreed to provide over US$2 million in support of environmental protection activities in three faculties of Environmental Sciences, Natural Sciences and of Economics and Business Administration. The fund is aimed at broadening the knowledge of students and lecturers on the management ...
The Lao National Assembly refocuses attention on the issue of corruption
On June 14, members of the Lao National Assembly stood up, one after another, and recounted cases of bribery, embezzlement and corruption within the country’s courts and political system. Members described how courts routinely reversed decisions, revisiting judgements after receiving letters in favour of the accused, even after ...
Polish activist not among prisoners to be pardoned in Laos this year
A Polish citizen of Lao heritage jailed in Laos for criticizing the government online will not be among hundreds of prisoners granted pardons by the end of the year because he “does not meet the proper criteria,” according to a public security official. Lao authorities arrested ...
Ten Vientiane industrial plants discharging unclean water
The Ministry of Natural Resource and Environment of Laos has confirmed that 10 industrial plants in Vientiane are discharging unclean and untreated water, some of which contains potentially harmful chemicals. Director General of the ministry’s Department of Pollution Control, Mr Khamphanh Nanthavong, addressed the issue on ...
New minister of agriculture and forestry appointed
Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Dr Phet Phomphiphak has been appointed Minister of Agriculture and Forestry, replacing Mr Vilayvanh Phomkhe, as approved by the government. A ceremony to hand over the position took place at the ministry on 24 August, attended by Deputy Prime Minister ...
Malaysia leads top foreign investors in Champassak province
Malaysia tops the list of investors in Champassak province during the last nine months of this year, which covered 37 percent of all foreign investment in the province. This was as reported by Provincial Governor Dr. Bounthong Divixay when he and Deputy Prime Minister Dr. Sonexay ...
New Report Pleads for Accountablility on First Anniversary of Laos Dam Collapse
On the first anniversary Tuesday of Laos’ Xe Pian-Xe Namnoy (PNPC) dam disaster, a new report from two NGOs found that nobody has been held accountable for the catastrophe that caused what has been described as Laos’ worst flooding in decades. In Reckless Endangerment: Assessing Responsibility for ...
Lao National Assembly passes draft law on the prevention of cybercrime
The Lao National Assembly (NA) passed a draft law on the prevention of cybercrime after it was raised for debate at the ongoing ordinary session of the parliament. The approved draft will be revised in accordance with recommendations made by the law makers during the debate. Widespread ...
Asean debates rights of migrant workers
The 9th Meeting of the Asean Committee on the Implementation of the Asean Declaration on the Protection and Promotion of the Rights of Migrant Workers opened in Vientiane on 10 May. The meeting was organised by the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare. Participants also discussed the ...
Lao Ministry imposes ban on log exports
Laos’ Ministry of Industry and Commerce has imposed an export ban on logs and unprocessed sawn wood following the prohibition instruction given by the government. The move aims to add value to wood resources by processing them domestically before they are exported. Recently, the ministry issued an order ...
Planning department boosts women’s leadership potential
The Department of Planning under the Ministry of Planning and Investment hosted a one-day training seminar on “Smart Leadership for Women” aiming to enhance the capacity of its female staff. The department’s Director General, Ms Phonevanh Outhavong, and Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Planning and ...
Laos needs to consolidate to be successful Asean member: PM
Laos is looking for uncovered potential and opportunities to effectively integrate with the Asean Economic Community in ways that benefit the country. Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith said, “Asean has been approved as a community, but Laos is still seeking uncovered possibilities, potential and opportunities that will benefit ...
Few surprised as Laos fails to win U.N. Rights Council seat
Laos failed attempt to win a seat on the United Nations Human Rights Council in a secret vote in New York was greeted with relief on 29 October by a leading Lao human rights group, which urged the communist government to adhere to U.N. rights treaties ...
Lao Government officials review drug issues
The Lao National Commission for Drug Control and Supervision is attempting to address drug problems nationwide by working in cooperation with neighbouring countries. The annual meeting of the Lao National Commission for Drug Control and Supervision (LCDC) began on 5 January, to summarise the commision’s work ...
Stop work on Lao dam and help victims: groups
Civil society groups in three countries have called for construction to stop on a dam in southern Laos where a major collapse occurred last year, killing more than 70 people and leaving about 5,000 villagers homeless. The groups say thousands displaced by the disaster at the Xe-Pian ...
Jim Pollard
Laos pins economic hopes on extra electricity
As Southeast Asia’s energy demands grow, Laos is banking on increased electricity exports to shore up its economy. The tiny country, which has a population of just under 7 million, has been opening a string of large-scale hydropower stations that will boost its total generation ...
Demarcation complete, Luang Prabang eyes investment to push SEZ project ahead
Development of a US$1.2 billion special economic zone (SEZ) in Luang Prabang province has faced delays attributed to project demarcation now completed while its developer seeks further investment and financial backing. The plans for the zone include a 23-storey building, schools, hospitals, shopping centre, bank, ...
IACD boosts education and cultural exchange project
The Institute of Asian Culture and Development and the Ministry of Education and Sports will work together to improve education and cultural exchange in Laos after reaching a grant project agreement. The agreement was signed on 19 July in Vientiane by IACD Country Director Dr Hosik ...
