VientianeThe First Times National English Language Newspaper TUESDAY MARCH 15, 2016 ISSUE 63 4500 kip Singapore company builds network in Lao service sector Times Reporters conference equipment makers have taken advantage of this The Mekong Group is a and set up their factories here.” Singapore-based company “Today, we ventured which has a particular focus on into another opportunity, the Laos due to the stable political insurance sector.” conditions, low crime rate, pro- The company has been business government policy doing business in the Mekong and low cost of living. region for the past 20 years. Mr Michael Aw, CEO “Eventually we will expand of the Mekong Group Pte to serve the neighbouring countries along the Mekong River,” Mr Aw said. The Mekong Group specialises in Asean chiefs of defence forces link hands during their 13th informal meeting in Vientiane yesterday. providing various business services to Lao companies and state owned enterprises. “We will connect Asean defence chiefs vow to consultants, investors, and joint venture partners to Laos and bring opportunities from Laos to Singapore,” he said. deepen ties for regional security A 2014 report from the Ministry of Planning Times Reporters trust, confidence and capacities to all through dialogues, and Declaration of the Conduct of and Investment noted that in addressing regional non- military-to-military interaction Parties in the South China Sea Singapore is a major investor Asean chiefs of defence forces, traditional security challenges in activities to deepen defence and work towards the early Mr Michael Aw. in Laos with total Singaporean who convened in Vientiane an effective and timely manner. cooperative ties between conclusion of the Code of investments reaching more yesterday, agreed to continue The Asean defence chiefs and amongst Asean defence Conduct in the South China Sea. Ltd, said Laos is sometimes than US$187.76 million. to strengthen cooperation in the acknowledged the complexity establishments in order The defence chiefs also overshadowed by bigger That year it ranked 11th, field of defence among the 10 of non-traditional security to enhance capabilities in welcomed the combined economies like Myanmar followed by India with about Asean member states to promote challenges including natural responding to security threats in exercises to be conducted in and Cambodia whenever one US$163.77 million and the security in the region. and man-made disasters, climate an effective and timely manner. 2016 under the framework of explores the Indochina market. United States on around The chiefs of Asean’s defence change, transnational challenges, The defence chiefs welcomed the Asean Defence Ministers’ “In fact, Laos’ GDP per US$151.8 million. forces reached the agreement in drug and human trafficking, the progress in military-to- Meeting-Plus Experts’ Working capita is US$1,700, higher The highest value in terms their joint statement following cyber security, maritime security, military cooperation and its Groups on the following: than Myanmar at US$1,200, of foreign investment in 2014 their 13th informal meeting. and terrorism – all of which contribution to maintaining Humanitarian Assistance and and Cambodia at US$1,000,” was China with US$5.29 Their continuing cooperation, pose threats to regional peace, regional peace, security and Disaster Relief and Military Mr Aw noted. billion, followed by Thailand they said in the joint statement, is stability, security and prosperity. stability. Medicine (co-organised by Laos, “Plus it has more stable in second with US$4.45 billion based on the principles of respect The y said they are They reaffirmed the need Japan, Thailand and Russia); political conditions, lower and Vietnam in third with for sovereignty and territorial “reaffirming Asean militaries’ for a peaceful environment in Counter Terrorism and Maritime crime rates, a pro-business US$3.39 billion. integrity, consensus-decision roles, commitment and collective the South China Sea for the Security (co-organised by government policy and lower A 2013-14 fiscal report making, participation on the basis responsibilities in responding to enhancement of peace, stability, Singapore, Australia, Brunei and cost of living, making it a from the Ministry of Industry of a flexible, voluntary and non- these security challenges”. economic growth and prosperity New Zealand); and Peacekeeping heaven for investors and and Commerce noted that binding nature, assets remaining They also recognised the in the region. Operations and Humanitarian expatriates working here,” Mr Laos had an export value to under national command and significance and values of In this regard, they have Mine Action (co-organised by Aw said recently at a partnership Singapore of more than 19.62 control and at a pace comfortable capacity, trust and confidence reaffirmed the need to fully and Cambodia, Republic of Korea, agreement signing ceremony billion kip (US$2.44 million), to all. This would promote mutual building at a pace comfortable effectively implement the 2002 Vietnam and India). with a local insurance company while import values from in Vientiane. Singapore were valued at over “Nikon camera 66.11 billion kip (US$8.23 Laos placed in top quarter of global peace rankings manufacturers and Polycom million). Times Reporters Singapore (24th) and Malaysia peaceful geographical region in New Zealand is ranked fourth (28th), according to the report. the world, securing the top three and Switzerland fifth. ÍçÖéÅèÈ Öà× ÍçÖéÀàÌÁíÌųà Laos has been ranked 41st out The index is composed positions in the GPI. Iceland Meanwhile the US was of 162 countries in terms of of 23 indicators ranking 162 came out on top as the most ranked 94th, China 124th, LAO FREIGHT FORWARDER CO., LTD peace, according to the recent independent nations, covering peaceful country in the world. Russia 152th, Canada seventh, - Offers transport, forwarding and packing of Global Peace Index 2015 (GPI) 99.6 percent of the world’s Several European nations’ Japan eighth, and Australia all kinds of outgoing and incoming goods by report. population and gauging global rankings were downgraded ninth. overland, river, air and sea. The report ranked countries peace using three broad themes: by recent events: Denmark’s The index also noted the -Worldwide Courier Express Service in five categories from Very the level of safety and security score fell moderately following ranking of Laos’ neighbours. High to Very Low and had in society, the extent of domestic increased military expenditure Thailand was listed in 126th Please contact us at: Authorized Cargo Agent for: Km 3 Thadeua Road, Laos in the second best High and international conflict, and and the Copenhagen shootings, place, Vietnam came in at 56th, TG Thai Airways International grouping alongside more the degree of militarisation, while France and Belgium also Cambodia was placed at 111th, Vientiane, Lao PDR. P.O. Box 3145 developed countries such as according to the report from saw their scores worsen owing and Myanmar 130th. (opposite French School ) Tel: 313321, 313351, 314524, 315165, 313392 Fax: ( 856-21 ) 314831 Malaysia, the United Kingdom the Sydney, Australia based to the impact of terrorism, The Middle East and Email: [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], laoffexp@laotel. and the Republic of Korea. Institute for Economics and according to the report. North Africa region remained com, [email protected], www.laopdr.com, www.lao-freight.com Laos ranked third out of Peace. Austria is ranked third on the affected by conflict with the the 10 Asean countries after Europe remained the most list after Iceland and Denmark. CONTINUED PAGE 3 2 Home news Tuesday March 15, 2016 Vientiane Times Ministry lends muscle to National Circus Times Reporters facility will comprise two teachers are Lao. buildings, each three storeys Some of the teachers and The Ministry of Information, high. students have undergone Culture and Tourism is looking The first floor of each training in Vietnam and China to improve training facilities building will have a large while three students are now for the National Circus in a bid area for circus training while in circus training in China, Mr to attract more young people to the second and top floors will Khamlek noted. this line of work. house student dormitories and Anyone who wants to The ministry plans to spend offices. work for the circus and apply more than 32 billion kip to Altogether there will be 30 for training should be aged build a circus training school student dormitories, with each 8-15 and be in good health. and a students’ dormitory near able to accommodate up to The fees for initial training the existing National Circus eight people per room. were previously 100,000 in Chanthabouly district, National Assembly candidates for Saravan province introduce themselves to voters during the election “We plan to open the circus kip, but this could change campaign. Vientiane. training buildings as a circus following the completion Construction is now school ahead of the arrival of the new facilities, Mr underway with the work being of an additional number of Khamlek said. carried out by the Xayphatthana students,” Mr Khamlek said. The National Circus Company. The timeframe for There are currently 18 wants to build on its pool of Saravan NA candidates completion is estimated to be students and 10 teachers who performers to ensure it has 18 months. train in a small building near sufficient talent on its books Director of the National the National Circus. Some to keep the circus going hit the campaign trail Circus Mr Khamlek of the students come from and stage more and better Soukchanthalavong told Vientiane and some from the performances in the future, Vientiane Times the new provinces, while all of the he added. Times Reporters people raised numerous explain what they’re doing in questions. the National Assembly to help Saravan province: Eleven Most of the questions our people,” he added.