IMF Chief Praises Laos, Warns of Challenges Ahead
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VientianeThe First Times National English Language Newspaper WEDNESDAY MARCH 16, 2016 ISSUE 64 4500 kip Inside U Htin Kyaw IMF chief praises Laos, of ruling warns of challenges ahead party elected Somsack Pongkhao as president International Monetary Fund (IMF) chief Christine Lagarde of Myanmar Laos mourns death of has lauded Laos’ economic Cuban Ambassador achievements while cautioning NAY PYI TAW (Xinhua) -- U [PAGE 3] that more work is needed to Htin Kyaw from Myanmar’s consolidate stability as the ruling National League for nation transitions from low- Democracy (NLD), led by income country status. Aung San Suu Kyi, won the IMF Managing Director Christine Lagarde paid her presidential election Tuesday first visit to Laos this week through a secret ballot, thus aiming to enhance cooperation becoming the country’s new between the IMF and Laos in president for the next five-year relation to macro-economic term. management. U Htin Kyaw won against Ms Lagarde is believed to the two other presidential be the first IMF chief to visit candidates -- U Myint Swe Indonesia blows up Laos since the country joined nominated by the military and illegal toothfish ship the International Monetary U Henry Van Htee Yu by the sought by Interpol Fund in 1961. NLD, by a vote of 360:213:79 She arrived in Vientiane [PAGE 6] out of 652 MPs who cast their on Monday and met top level votes in the Union Parliament, leaders on Tuesday to discuss chaired by Speaker U Mann cooperation between the IMF Win Khaing Than. and Laos. Mitsubishi Electric Talks were held with U Htin Kyaw becomes the President Choummaly second president of Myanmar eyes sales growth after the military returned [PAGE 9] Sayasone, Deputy Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith, power to the civilian in 2011. and other high-ranking U Htin Kyaw, a non- officials. parliament representative, is Ms Lagarde issued the also a non-military civilian following statement at the president. conclusion of her visit to Laos, As per the voting result, U saying the IMF complimented Myint Swe becomes the first government officials on IMF chief Christine Lagarde calls on President Choummaly Sayasone in Vientiane yesterday. vice president, while U Henry their important economic Van Htee Yu becomes the achievements including robust “This economic expansion achievements in bringing down sustainable growth going second vice president. growth based on substantial has brought a solid decline the fiscal deficit in the last forward,” she said. The elected president public investment and deeper in poverty and important three years, which has helped Ms Lagarde said the and two vice presidents are Central Market: Kuala economic integration with improvements in social safeguard macroeconomic economic prospects for Laos expected to be sworn in at the Lumpur’s souvenir neighbouring countries. welfare. I also pointed to recent stability and set the stage for CONTINUED PAGE 2 parliament on March 30, while heaven the handover of duties of head [PAGE 16] Polling stations set up for Lao expatriates of state is expected to take place at the Presidential Palace Souksakhone Vaenkeo affairs for Lao expatriates, Mr where it has been confirmed There are also at least on the next day. Bopunthavy Boutsaseng, said that polling stations will be another 1,000 Lao nationals in The Myanmar parliament Vientiane Fashion Preparations are in place to yesterday. available. other countries who are eligible set three groups representing Week collections wow enable Lao nationals in foreign He explained that the It is reported that there to vote. the two Houses and military audiences countries to cast their vote for committee was faced with the are more than 16,000 Lao Mr Bopunthavy said voting MPs to nominate one candidate new members of parliament, [PAGE 19] difficulty of preparing voting nationals in China, Thailand would take place a day earlier each for the presidential race with the National Assembly facilities in every country, and Vietnam who are eligible in China, Thailand and and through voting, the one that election scheduled to take where the number of Lao to vote. Vietnam so officials could wins the most number of votes place this weekend. nationals was small and they In China, voters can go to send the results back to the takes the presidency while the Lao citizens can vote on lived in scattered locations, the Lao Embassy in Beijing National Election Committee remaining two become vice Saturday March 19 at Lao while the preparation costs and to consulates in Kunming, quickly. presidents. embassies and consulates in could be high. Guangzhou, Nanning, The votes received at Lao The Union Parliament China, Thailand and Vietnam, “We will discuss the matter Shanghai and Hong Kong. embassies and consulates are which is one day earlier than again tomorrow [today],” he In Thailand, voters can expected to be sent back by comprising two Houses is in Laos where the election said. go to the Lao Embassy in Sunday (March 20) or not later shared by NLD with 390 MPs will take place on Sunday. Reports show that most Bangkok and the consulate in than Monday (March 21). or 59.36 percent, USDP with However, it is still unclear Lao nationals in foreign Khon Kaen. In Vietnam, voting He added that consideration 41 or 6.24 percent, other parties if Lao expats in other countries countries who are eligible to stations will be set up at the will be given to reimbursing and individuals with 60 or can vote at embassies or vote, including students, live in Lao Embassy in Hanoi and the the travel costs and living 9.132 percent and military consulates, a member of the China, Thailand and Vietnam consulates in Danang and Ho expenses of people who have representatives with 166 or committee in charge of election – the only three countries Chi Minh City. to travel a long way to vote. 25.26 percent. 2 Home news Wednesday March 16, 2016 Vientiane Times Savannakhet police drug bust snares 40,000 amphetamine pills Times Reporters 42,000 amphetamine pills 114,000 amphetamine pills and four packs of heroin and and 80 grams of crystal Savannakhet provincial police apprehended the men for methamphetamine. last week confiscated over questioning. According to a Savannakhet 40,000 amphetamine pills and The men were named police officer, as the province apprehended three men after as Mr Khanphet, 34, of shares a border with two other stopping a pick-up along Road Lattanalangsy-Neua village, countries it is easy for people No. 9 in Nabor village, Xepon Kaysone Phomvihane district, to transit the region and cross district. Savannakhet province, Mr borders. The province’s Department Sipaseud, 23, of Thongkang This makes the province of Drug Prevention and Control village, Sisattanak district, attractive to criminals looking said Savannakhet police had and Mr Keo, 37, of Phontong to smuggle drugs. Mr Bounkhuang Souvannaphanh (right) addresses the meeting. been targeting the group for village, Chanthabouly district, Savannakhet police are about two months. Vientiane. continuing to wage war against After receiving a tip Police are continuing their drugs to protect the public, Laos closes in on poverty reduction target off that the men would be investigations and trying to while campaigning about the Times Reporters eradication. The fight against Poverty Reduction Fund transporting drugs along this identify other people involved dangers of drugs in at-risk poverty was the main focus of is to help improve access road, police sent a team to in the drug ring before sending areas. Laos aims to further mobilise the MDGs, and continues to to and utilisation of basic investigate. the suspects to court. The current anti-drug all of its untapped potential remain a priority of the SDGs infrastructure and services While making enquiries This latest bust follows project began in 2009. Since and step up cooperation with from 2016-2030. for poor communities, and to in Nabor village, police another incident at the end of then law enforcement officers all stakeholders, backed by The poverty rate has achieve this using inclusive stopped three men travelling last year, when Savannakhet have confiscated 21 vehicles, support from friendly countries, dropped below the 23 percent development processes, with in a pick-up. On searching police arrested three drug 10 million baht and thousands to achieve the Sustainable figure recorded in 2013, and an emphasis on sustainability. the vehicle they discovered traffickers transporting of amphetamine pills. Development Goals (SDGs). more than 122,000 households Since the second phase To achieve these goals, and 1,430 villages have been of the Fund began in October Laos is implementing the freed from poverty in the past 2011, more than 450,000 Association lends a helping hand eighth Five-Year National five years. members of rural communities Socio-Economic Development Laos is one of the fourth in provinces such as Huaphan, to Sisattanak children Plan and striving to fulfil the newer members of Asean, and Attapeu and Xekong have Phetphoxay Sengpaseuth Sustainable Development lags behind the six original benefitted from it. Goals on the way to graduating member states in terms of The Fund has contributed Children in poor families in from least developed country development. to a 37 percent increase in the status by 2020. Poverty Reduction Fund use of health services, a 76 Sisattanak district, Vientiane, With regard to poverty Executive Director Mr percent increase in access to are gradually receiving reduction, the government Bounkhuang Souvannaphanh safe water resources, and a 30 improved healthcare, nutrition has focused on infrastructure said the meeting was a significant percent increase in access to all- and education, thanks to a development, access to public platform for promoting mutual weather roads in target villages programme that is working health services in rural areas, understanding and sharing across the country.