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. National Assembly candidates related to people’s needs A representative of the Officials educate disruptive for the constituency of Saravan regarding infrastructure and Boudtaphan village group province now only have agricultural facilities, such in Lakhonpheng district, Mr Laongam district to visit as as paved roads, irrigation Thong-In Keosoulisack, said motorcycle gang they campaign for a seat in the systems, electricity supply, “Our village group has seven Eighth Legislature. schools, bank loans, the price villages and we would like to Souknilundon After previously visiting of cassava, and cutting tariffs ask you to help with reducing Southivongnorath six other districts, the 11 on imported fertiliser. the tariff on fertiliser imports, candidates will wind up their Head of Narao village repairing or paving road access Vientiane Police Headquarters campaign in Khongxedon in Khongxedon district, Mr to villages, providing low yesterday counselled almost district today before moving on Somphong Sikhaophet, said interest loans, and building 80 young motorcyclists who to Laongam, the eighth district “Our village urgently needs to irrigation systems and schools.” rode their bikes en masse in Saravan province, with the have 7km of our road paved A representative of Vapi during a friend’s cremation at campaign expected to finish with asphalt because it’s very district also said farmers needed Thepnimit temple in Vientiane on March 18 ahead of Election dusty and bumpy, which affects help with stabilising the price last year. Day on March 20. people’s health and hinders of and finding more markets Headquarters Deputy On Wednesday the travel.” for cassava, while irrigation Chief Lieutenant Colonel candidates will endeavour to “We also need more school systems and road upgrades also Khampheng Xayalath warned cover six localities in Laongam buildings so we can provide needed candidates’ support. the youths that this was against district over a short space of more classes for our secondary Some 324 ballot boxes the culture and traditions of time. school, while a water supply will be placed in Saravan Laos. On the campaign trail, system is also required because province’s eight districts and He said issues concerning the candidates introduced villagers are now using wells 42 localities on Election Day. motorcycle gangs had never themselves, outlined their for drinking and domestic use. The province is home to more occurred in Laos before and backgrounds and stated their Furthermore, if possible we than 398,900 people, of whom this gathering at the funeral Lieutenant Colonel Khampheng Xayalath. aims in serving the people would also like the successful nearly 200,000 aged 18 and was an unwanted first, bringing in the Assembly, while local candidates to come back and over are eligible to vote. a bad image to the country. couldn’t sufficiently verify the the cremation site if he were “This is the reason we identities or whereabouts of the to die. have gathered here, to find remaining 10 youths. A video of the event spread Lao Press in Foreign Languages ways to solve this and other The police explained rapidly on social media, which social problems in Vientiane,” clearly that the youths’ raised authorities’ concerns. he said. behaviour during the cremation Officials investigated with the Vientiane Times The police invited the of their friend was against Lao cooperation of other agencies, Established 1994, Volume 22 youngsters’ parents as well customs. using Facebook to help track Tel: (856-21) 336042, fax: (856-21) 336041 as teachers and village and The cremation of the down the 77 youths. [email protected] district officials to meet at teenager from Phonxay village Officials said the group was the headquarters, aiming to in Xaysettha district took place also involved in street racing re-educate the teenagers and at the temple on November and other forms of antisocial share ideas on how to tackle 14 last year after he and a behaviour. Supervisor: Features Editor: Graphic Designer/IT: the problem. friend died in an accident on According to the Savankhone Razmountry Manichanh Pansivongxay Malaythong Phayanouvong Headquarters officials said Samsenthai Road. officials’ report, the teenage Tel: 020 55607017, 021 Tel: 021 336048, 020 the actual number of youngsters He had been a member of motorcyclists had no real Editor-in-Chief: 336047 55729209 involved was 87 but only 77 the gang and had apparently leader with most just getting Thonglor Duangsavanh Fax: 021 336046 Copy Sub-editor: were ordered to attend the asked his friends to ride their together through invitations via Tel: 021 336042 [email protected] Elizabeth Winch counselling session as officials bikes two or three times around their smartphones. [email protected] News Editor: Sisay Vilaysack Finance Manager: Deputy Editor-in-Chief: Tel: 55615716, 021-336045, Somphone Vongsa Phonekeo Vorakhoun Fax: 336046 Tel: 336040, 020 55647291 Sub-editor wanted Tel: 021 336042 [email protected] [email protected] Marketing Manager: Vientiane Times is seeking an experienced English language editor. Business Editor: Phoutthasack Deputy Editor-in-Chief: Phonsavanh Vongxay Inthakoummane Must be a native speaker of English and able to edit a wide range of Phon Thikeo Tel: 021-336047, 020 Tel: 021 336042, Tel: 55624351, 021 336042 5522818 Fax: 336041 articles from business to entertainment. Attention to detail is essential [email protected] Mobile: 020 55599209 and familiarity with current affairs in Laos is desirable. Excellent [email protected] writing skills required. Working hours approx 11am – 6pm Mon-Fri plus a weekly evening shift and occasional Sundays. Please email: If you have a problem accessing the website, please call directly to [email protected] Tel: +856-21 336048; 020 55729209, or call: 55607017, 021 336047 or drop your CV off at Vientiane Email: [email protected] Times on Kamphaengmeuang Road (T4). Vientiane Times Tuesday March 15, 2016 Home news 3 Minister tours Regional foreign ministers shape provinces to promote future cooperation election campaign

in the various districts of Vientiane. The National Election Committee requires that 18 Capital Assembly members will be elected from 27 candidates. This means that residents of the capital’s nine districts will elect two out of three candidates to the Capital Assembly. The relevant government sectors are currently passing on information to officials Prof. Dr Bosengkham Vongdara about the election of National addresses a meeting in Assembly and Provincial Vientiane province last week. Assembly members and the Delegates to the 14th ACD Ministerial Meeting stand for a group photo. differing functions of the Times Reporters assemblies. Times Reporters agendas for the 2nd ACD Deputy Minister of Foreign continent-wide Dialogue,” Meanwhile district and Summit scheduled to take Affairs Saleumxay Kommasith General Prayut was quoted as Minister of Information, village authorities are meeting Foreign Ministers of the Asia place in October this year called for thorough action saying in the opening remarks. Culture and Tourism Prof. with villagers to explain the Cooperation Dialogue (ACD) in Thailand. A draft joint to realise the 2030 ACD The Asia Cooperation Dr Bosengkham Vongdara significance of the election countries have outlined their statement for the October cooperation vision. Dialogue was inaugurated in visited the National Assembly and the related laws and urging cooperation agendas with summit was also adopted. Mr Saleumxay said the June 2002. It is a continent- election campaign in the everyone to vote on March regional connectivity top of In his opening remarks, ACD cooperation frameworks wide forum, the first of its kind provinces of Borikhamxay 20 for their representatives in the list in a move to boost Thailand’s Prime Minister, should not overlap with other in Asia. A key principle is to and Vientiane last week to both the National Assembly cooperation in the Asia region. as chair of the ACD, cooperation frameworks, consolidate Asian strengths and explain the significance of and their local Provincial Ministers from the 34 General Prayut Chan-o- according to the press release. fortify Asia’s competitiveness the election. Assembly. member countries met at cha said that to harness the The meeting accepted by maximising the diversity During his visit, Prof. Dr Candidates for all 18 the 14th ACD Ministerial maximum potential of the Nepal as a new member of the and rich resources evident in Bosengkham assured voters constituencies are meeting Meeting held on March 9-10 in ACD members, regional Asia Cooperation Dialogue, Asia. that candidates standing local people to introduce Bangkok, Thailand, according connectivity should be one of making the country the group’s The ACD region consists for election to the National themselves and talk about to a press release from the Lao the group’s core values. 34th member. of 4.3 billion people which Assembly and Provincial their vision in serving as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. “Our top priorities should General Prayut welcomed contribute to the total GDP of Assemblies in the two people’s representatives. The two-day meeting focus on expediting regional Nepal’s accession to the group. US$26 trillion. provinces were ready and able According to the National under the theme “ACD-The transport infrastructure “As ACD Chair, I welcome The overall trade value of to represent them. Election Committee, the Way Forward” adopted the development, especially land, the accession of Nepal to ACD ACD equals half of the total The minister visited three National Assembly will have ACD Cooperation Vision air and water transport as well as the 34th Member State. I GDP or approximately US$12 districts in Borikhamxay 149 members who will be until 2030, which identifies as strengthening rules and believe that Nepal’s potential trillion while the intra-ACD province, namely Borikhan, elected from 211 candidates. cooperation priorities, regulations to facilitate the and expertise will make the trade value alone corresponds Pakxan and Thaphabath, Provincial Assemblies will especially concerning regional smoother flows of goods and ACD grow stronger and further to half of the overall trade as well as four districts in comprise a total of 360 connectivity. people,” he told the meeting. enhance our international value or approximately US$6 Vientiane province, those members to be elected from The ministers adopted The Lao delegation led by profile as a diverse and trillion. being Phonhong, Keo-Oudom, 508 candidates. Hinheup and Thoulakhom. The number of people He called on the authorities eligible to vote for members to support the election of the National Assembly’s Korea supports capacity building of campaign and to make sure that Eighth Legislature amounts to all voters aged 18 and above 3,988,000, of whom 2,006,000 were aware of their rights and are women. immigration management would vote in the election, The National Election asking officials to circulate Committee is committed to Times Reporters 2017 as part of KOICA’s economic Development immigration officers in Laos, information in remote areas. ensuring tight security during Capacity Improvement and Plan by developing public KOICA is providing a three- The minister is now the election while ensuring that Korea International Advancement for Tomorrow administration, promoting year programme targeting promoting the election all eligible citizens exercise Cooperation Agency (KOICA) programmes, the KOICA Lao tourism, and accelerating different levels of officials. campaign among residents their right to vote. has invited 15 Lao government PDR office reported. Asean economic integration.” KOICA is inviting top-level officials from the Immigration This year, which is the Deputy Chief of officials for the first year, Department of the Ministry second year of the programme, Immigration at Wattay officials in the executive or Laos placed in top... from page 1 of Public Security to attend the 15 participants will attend International Airport in management rank in the second a fellowship programme lectures and discussions in Vientiane, Thongphachanh year, and finally officials at the worst regional score in the GPI led by worsening scores in Libya, on capacity building in order to understand Korea’s Thipphavong, who will working level in the third year. Yemen, Iraq and Syria, the report noted. immigration management at immigration control system participate in the programme, Since 1991, KOICA has Last year’s global GPI score remained stable with the overall the Institute of Justice in the and Immigration Act, and to said “Thanks to the KOICA offered about 3,400 courses to average level of global peacefulness steady and four out of the Republic of Korea from March seek appropriate procedures fellowship programme, 15 more than 53,000 participants nine geographical regions experienced an improvement in peace, 24 to April 8. for fairer and more effective Lao government officials are from 173 countries. KOICA according to the report. This fellowship programme immigration management. able to have an opportunity to has provided various subjects Laos has a population of about 6.5 million people with aims at assisting the Ministry Resident Representative understand Korea’s advanced such as public administration, economic growth of 7.5 percent which is driven by the inflow of of Public Security to establish of the KOICA Lao PDR immigration system and policy economic development, foreign investment into the resource sector. strategic policies and an office, Mr Kim Hahng-Joo, so as to implement lessons science and technology, However, the government has always held firm in its efforts to institutional foundation by said “Improving immigration learned from Korea to build a agriculture and health through maintain peace and security in the country to create environments building capacity in immigration service management is timely better immigration institutional the Capacity Improvement and conducive to the promotion of development cooperation and service management for and indispensable for Laos foundation in Laos.” Advancement for Tomorrow thereby attracting trade, investment and tourists. three years from 2015 to to fulfil its National Socio- To build the capacity of programmes.

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Those interested in obtaining a box should contact the Vientiane Times office or Email: [email protected] call us at: Tel: 336042; Fax: 336041 4 Home news Tuesday March 15, 2016 Vientiane Times Vientiane: Asean clean city News in Brief Drug user arrested for dealing in amphetamines Vientiane police recently arrested a drug dealer after finding him model by 2030 with more than 420 amphetamine pills in his possession, the Khuamsangob newspaper reported. Phetphoxay Sengpaseuth The dealer was named as Mr Mouksavanh, 35, of Chansavang village, Sikhottabong district. Vientiane authorities are planning to Police said he had been an addict for about 12 years and recently improve the protection of the water began buying and selling amphetamines. environment as the capital aims to be Elsewhere Vientiane police nabbed a drug user with 109 a model Asean clean city by 2030. amphetamine pills in his possession. The clean city initiative will He was named as Mr Kaisone, 24, of Nonkeo village, Sikhottabong include drawing up a master plan district, and confessed to being a drug user since 2009. for the protection of the urban water environment along with educating Over 60 crimes occur in one week in Vientiane people about the improvements. In just one week, 64 crimes were committed in Vientiane, of which While Vientiane has improved its 30 were thefts, the Khuamsangob newspaper reported. drainage network, the water quality Police said 18 motorbikes, 240 grams of gold, more than 35 million in drainage canals and marshes has kip and other items were stolen. A total of 29 crimes were solved and become worse, an official said. 45 people were detained. Xaysettha district Deputy During the investigations, police arrested two thieves - Mr Sitthided, Governor, Mr Phoutthaphone 19, of Dongxiengdee village, Naxaithong district, and Mr Khamsa, Khotpanya, spoke to Vientiane Times 47, of Viengkham village, Sikhottabong district. during a canal cleaning activity in Phonthan village on Saturday. Attapeu earns US$7 million from tourism in past five He said the Vientiane authorities years had selected Xaysettha to be a model Mr Bounchanh Keosithamma lends a hand to clean up a drainage canal in Vientiane. district in the future clean city, with Over the past five years, Attapeu province has received tourism the clearing of drainage canals and in Vientiane in 2014 which was the shores of large ponds, instead of revenue exceeding US$7 million, the Social-Economic newspaper education of people about the dangers supported by the Japan International disposing of it in a more responsible reported. of wastewater being top priorities for Cooperation Agency (JICA). way. Provincial authorities say this is because they have improved environmental protection. The project aims to strengthen In Laos less attention has been infrastructure and services, including designated tourist sites. They “The authorities are also speeding the institutional framework and paid to the sanitation sector than have also encouraged investment in the tourism sector. up the amendment of regulations organisation of wastewater treatment others. Therefore, this project can be Attapeu province has 11 hotels, 38 guesthouses, 116 restaurants which will be the basis for a manual in Vientiane through a participatory treated as a milestone, both for the and entertainment venues, along with 30 designated areas of natural on wastewater management in approach. urban sanitation sector and in terms beauty, 10 sites of historical interest and 12 of cultural value. Vientiane,” he added. He said the project has trained of raising issues concerning urban Most of the wastewater produced in facilitators and resource personnel sanitation. Ministry of Health provides free health checks the city by factories, hotels, hospitals, in environmental education and run According to 2012 statistics, The Ministry of Health is providing free health checks in the nine restaurants and government offices is campaigns on load reduction from Vientiane has about 800,000 districts of Vientiane, aiming to complete the programme in June, the not treated before being discharged wastewater and regular cleaning residents. Although the city has Pasaxon Vanathit newspaper reported. into the drainage system, he added. of canals by communities and the received support from numerous The first such event took place in January in Sisattanak district Vientiane Public Works and Vientiane Urban Development and development partners for drainage and the second in Hadxaifong district. Local residents were also Transport Department Deputy Head, Administration Authority. improvement since 1990, sewage given information and advice concerning smoking and alcohol Mr Bounchanh Keosithamma, Another problem is that of illegal has increased in water channels consumption. said the initiative was part of the dumping, with many residents living and marshes due to the increased The authorities plan to run a similar programme in rural areas of the department’s Project for Urban near canals and marshes dumping discharge of waste following on provinces. Water Environment Improvement plastic and household garbage around economic and population growth. Vientiane Times Tuesday March 15, 2016 Photo news 5

Minister of Science and Technology Professor Dr Boviengkham Vongdara (left) shakes hands with Deputy Prime Minister of Vietnam Mr Nguyen Xuan Phuc after talks in Vietnam recently about improving science and technology cooperation between the two nations. Residents of Saravan province check out the CVs of candidates seeking to represent the province in the National Assembly. Voting will take place nationwide on March 20.

Dozens of people who formerly studied in Australia reunited last week to recall their time in the country at the Annual Australian Alumni Function in Vientiane organised by the Laos Australia Institute on behalf of the Australian Embassy. Australian Ambassador John Williams greeted the students and delivered a speech. The Australian government offers a number of scholarships to Lao Team France poses for a group photo after last week’s Vientiane International nationals each year. In the last two decades, more than 1,200 Lao citizens have gained Australian qualifications under the scholarship Half Marathon. The French Embassy in Laos officially congratulates scheme and have contributed to national development in various sectors. --Photo LAAC everyone involved with Team France. 6 Tuesday March 15, 2016 Vientiane Times Region In brief from Asia Half of radiation monitors News Network Malaysian Insider around Kagoshima news portal to shut down plant not up to the job KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (The Straits KAGOSHIMA, Japan (Kyodo prefectural government Times, ANN) -- The News) -- About half of the official, the government will Malaysian Insider (TMI) monitoring posts around a make a decision on evacuation news portal on Monday nuclear power plant in based on data from nearby (March 14) announced Kagoshima Prefecture that devices that can measure high its closure after operating resumed operations last year radiation levels, and portable for eight years, citing are not able to detect the high measuring devices can also commercial reasons. radiation levels that would be used. Therefore, there is The portal’s owner, The require residents to evacuate “no problem” in its monitoring Edge Media Group, will immediately. operations, the official said. shut down the site from Of a total of 48 monitoring Of the 44 portable devices midnight on Monday. posts installed within a 5- to that the government can use, “Despite the fact that TMI 30-kilometre radius of Kyushu however, 30 can measure is one of the top three news Electric Power Co.’s Sendai radiation levels of up to only portals based on traffic in nuclear plant, 22 posts can 100 microsieverts per hour. Malaysia because of its detect radiation levels of up Moreover, the government Image taken from video, rescue workers stand by the covered victims of an accident at Siam Commercial courageous news reporting, to 80 microsieverts per hour. may not be able to use the Bank’s headquarters in Bangkok, Thailand. --Photo AP it did not receive enough The Japanese government’s devices at the locations it commercial support to guideline says that residents wants, if an earthquake or keep it going,” Group within a 5-kilometer radius other natural disaster were to Chief Executive Ho Kay of a nuclear plant must sever roads and disrupt traffic. 8 killed in chemical accident Tat said in a statement. evacuate immediately in the The local government event of a severe accident, installed the 48 monitoring Thousands of and those living within a posts ahead of the restart of at Thai bank’s headquarters Jakarta drivers 5- to 30-kilometre radius the No. 1 reactor at the Sendai protest against ride- should take shelter first and plant last August, which BANGKOK (AP) -- Eight that the accident was caused by accident and three died later at a hailing app then evacuate immediately became the first unit in Japan people died and seven others “negligence on the part of our hospital. It said that the apparent INDONESIA (The if a radiation dose of 500 to run after stricter safety were injured at the headquarters contractors hired to improve fire cause of death was suffocation Jakarta Post, ANN) -- At microsieverts per hour is regulations were introduced of one of Thailand’s largest protection in the building.” from insufficient oxygen, but least 2,000 members of detected. following the 2011 Fukushima banks when workers accidentally Workers activated a system that the official cause would not the Land Transportation According to a Kagoshima nuclear disaster. released fire extinguishing that mistakenly released be known until autopsies are Drivers Association (PPAD) chemicals during an upgrade Pyrogen aerosol, a chemical performed. Seven other people plan to protest in Jakarta of the building’s safety system, fire retardant which is normally suffered suffocation-related on Monday against the Korea steps up protection officials said on Monday. intended to deprive fire of injuries, including four who were mushrooming of ride- The accident occurred on oxygen, the statement said. The in serious condition, Erawan said. hailing smartphone apps of foreign medical patients Sunday night in the basement bank identified those who died Police were still investigating and vehicles that pose a of the Siam Commercial Bank’s as a security guard and seven the accident and the bank said it threat to their business. KOREA (The Korea Herald, hospitals that treat overseas headquarters in Bangkok. contractors. Bangkok’s Erawan would release more information Drivers of taxis and city ANN) -- South Korea’s Health patients may face up to 3 years The bank said in a statement medical emergency center said after a meeting of its board busses will protest at City Ministry on Monday released in prison or a fine of 30 million that an initial investigation found five people died at the site of the members on Monday. Hall, at the Communication a set of measures to better won moving forward. and Informatics Ministry protect foreign patients from South Korea aims to attract and at the State Palace, said possible medical accidents 400,000 foreign patients this Adj. Sr. Comr Budiyanto and negligence, as well as year while creating 50,000 from the Jakarta Police’s being overcharged while more jobs in the health and traffic directorate. being treated at health care pharmaceutical industries. Representatives of PPAD institutions here. Last month, the Health aim to meet with Jakarta The measures include Ministry established the Governor Basuki “Ahok” enforcing all Korean general Medical Korea Information Tjahaja Purnama and hospitals that receive foreign Center, a state-run agency President Joko “Jokowi” patients to be insured for that offers translation services, Widodo, or State Secretary at least 200 million won information on a variety of Pratikno. “They want to (US$170,000) for possible treatment options and cost, as convey their protestations medical accidents and well as support for medical regarding the presence disputes. Smaller clinics are disputes, in Myeong-dong, of illegal transportation also required to be insured for central Seoul. operating as non-public at least 100 million won. Also starting this year, transportation through All medical institutions Korea refunds the 10 application service are currently required to be percent value-added tax to companies,” Budiyanto said certified by the government in foreign patients who receive in a statement on Monday. order to treat foreign patients. treatments at dermatology and Uncertified clinics and cosmetic surgery clinics. Cambodian PM warns to arrest politicians for debt cancellation propaganda PHNOM PENH (Xinhua) -- The prime minister, speaking “I’d like to call on politicians Cambodian Prime Minister Hun at the opening ceremony of a in political parties not to do such Sen warns on Monday to arrest microfinance conference, said a cheap act that violates the any politicians who propagandise some politicians have been financial regulation,” he said. about the cancellation of debt for launching campaigns boasting “The arrest will be made bank borrowers, saying they are cancel all debts that people owed on the spot, though (you are) cheating people out of ballots the banks if they gain victory in lawmakers, because this is an act ahead of the upcoming elections. upcoming elections. of committing a crime.” “It is unacceptable that they cheat people for their own political gain,” he said, adding that such selfish campaigns are dragging people into worse debts. Hun Sen did not specifically name any political parties in his remarks. Cambodia is gearing up for the commune election in 2017 and the national election in 2018. In the last national election in 2013, Hun Sen’s ruling party won 68 seats against 55 seats for the opposition Cambodian National Rescue Party in the 123-seat National Assembly. Vientiane Times Tuesday March 15, 2016 Region 7 Two trekkers missing in For China’s anti-graft Himachal airlifted INDIA (The Statesman, despite bad weather,” area campaign, no slowdown ANN) -- Two of the remaining Subdivisional Magistrate Jyoti trekkers who went missing Rana said over phone. CHINA (China Daily, ANN) who received 16 years for along with eight others in Rana said the rescued -- China will continue to expose bribery. the state’s Manali area were students were given first aid, and punish corrupt senior This year, prosecutors will airlifted on Monday from the after which they were taken government and Party officials, pay extra attention to officials snowy peak, ending the 78 to Kullu. “They are all fine,” judicial authorities said on who hinder the implementation hours rescue operation. she added. Sunday, after figures showed of national economic The condition of all the The two rescued students a rise in prosecutions last year. development policies, block rescued trekkers, mostly from are Hitender Sharma and Anil Twenty-two high-ranking reform measures, or endanger Punjab, is stable and they Kumar, who were spotted officials stood trial last year government investment or the are undergoing treatment in on Sunday near a cave-like as part of the nationwide anti- safety of State-owned assets, the government hospital in structure where all eight had graft campaign, with another Cao Jianming, the prosecutor- Manali. Six were airlifted on earlier taken shelter. Both were 41 placed under investigation, general, said in his work report Sunday evening. safe, she said. up by 46 percent on 2014, to the legislature on Sunday. Seven students of the Three teams of the Indo- according to the Supreme He said his authority will Sant Longowal Institute of Tibetan Border Police were People’s Procuratorate. also be more aggressive in going Engineering and Technology pressed for search and rescue Among those punished after grassroots officials, such as in Punjab’s Sangrur city along on March 11 after teams from a were Zhou Yongkang, the those in charge of agriculture and with their trekking instructor local mountaineering institute, former security chief, who poverty alleviation, and will look lost their way due to inclement the police and villagers failed was sentenced to life in prison at corruption in the selection and weather while trekking to the to find them due to inclement for disclosing State secrets, promotion processes. Chanderkhani peak in Kullu weather. abuses of power and accepting According to SPP data, district. A helicopter was pressed bribes, and Jiang Jiemin, the prosecution departments probed “This morning the into service on Saturday, but Cao Jianming, procurator-general of the Supreme People’s Procuratorate former head of the State- 54,249 officials at all levels for (SPP), delivers a report on the SPP’s work during the third plenary remaining two were airlifted it too failed to make much meeting of the fourth session of China’s 12th National People’s Congress owned Assets Supervision and duty-related offenses last year, from the Chanderkhani peak headway due to the bad weather. at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China. --Photo Xinhua Administration Commission, roughly the same as in 2014. Nepal issues first installment of housing grant, 11 months after quake

KATHMANDU (Xinhua) -- body formed for execution US$500) to a few displaced The government has allocated upon completion of body, village development The Nepalese government has of reconstruction, started households of Dolakha district decided to allocate Rs 200,000 reconstruction. committee, to distribute the started distributing housing distributing the housing grant in the first installment. in total to each completely- According to the Post aid by identifying real victims. reconstruction aid to the quake in form of cash to the displaced Chief Executive Officer damaged household through Disaster Assessment report, The affected households victims from Sunday, nearly families through one of the of NRA Sushil Gyawali three installments. more than a half million houses need to open new bank 11 months after the devastating worst-hit district Dolakha. announced the formal initiation The victims will receive got completely damaged in the accounts to receive the grant disaster. As per the prior of grant distribution in a the second installment of April 25 earthquake which since the authority will The National announcement of the press conference in Charikot, Rs 80,000 after approval killed nearly 9, 000 people. deposit the required housing Reconstruction Authority government, NRA on Sunday the district headquarters of of their housing design NRA has joined hands reconstruction grant in banks (NRA), an authoritative issued Rs 50,000( about Dolakha. and the remaining will be with the local government in every affected district. 8 Tuesday March 15, 2016 Vientiane Times World Big protests across Brazil put Car bomb in Turkey’s capital kills at least 34, wounds 125 more pressure on president ANKARA, Turkey (AP) -- A suicide responsibility for the February 17 car bomb went off near bus stops in attack. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan SAO PAULO (AP) -- Mammoth the heart of Turkey’s capital on Sunday, issued a statement vowing to bring demonstrations across Brazil are putting killing at least 34 people and wounding “terrorism to its knees” and said Turkey even more pressure on embattled around 125 others, officials said. Two would use its right to self-defense to President Dilma Rousseff as she heads of the dead are believed to be the prevent future attacks. into a tough week for her attempt to assailants. “Our people should not worry, survive impeachment proceedings in A senior government official told the struggle against terrorism will for Congress. The Associated Press that police certain end in success and terrorism will According to police estimates, a suspect that Kurdish militants carried be brought to its knees,” Erdogan said. total of 3 million people took to the out the attack, which occurred on Saudi state television said that streets in 200 cities on Sunday calling on Ankara’s main boulevard, close to a Saudi woman and three children the president to resign amid widespread ministries. were among those wounded in the anger over corruption investigations and At least one of the bombers was attack. Saudi Arabia’s King Salman the worst recession in years. a woman, he said. The official spoke condemned the bombing and extended Sometime this week, lower house on condition of anonymity on the his condolences to the Turkish people, Speaker Eduardo Cunha, a Rousseff grounds that the investigation was according to the state-run Saudi news foe, is expected to form a commission ongoing. channel Al-Ekhbaria. to begin impeachment proceedings over The bombing was the third in At least 19 of the wounded were allegations of fiscal mismanagement. the city in five months and came as in serious condition, Health Minister He doesn’t have any say on the panel’s Turkey is grappling with a host of Mehmet Muezzinoglu told reporters. membership, but on Saturday members issues, including renewed fighting He said that 30 of the victims died at Demonstrators parade large inflatable dolls depicting Brazil’s former President of his centrist PMDB party pledged to Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva in prison garb and current President Dilma Rousseff with Kurdish rebels, threats from the scene, while the other four died at be more independent from Rousseff’s dressed as a thief, with a presidential sash that reads “Impeachment,” in Sao the Islamic State group and a Syrian hospitals. administration. Paulo, Brazil. --Photo AP refugee crisis. Interior Minister Efkan Ala said the Rousseff, who has said she won’t Earlier Sunday, Turkish authorities attack wouldn’t deter the country from resign, is also under pressure from in recent weeks. In a statement after three times that number. said they were imposing curfews on its fight against terrorism. He confirmed members of her own Workers’ Party, Sunday’s protests, Rousseff said, “The About 1 million people joined the two mainly Kurdish towns where the blast was the result of a car bomb whose leaders want her mentor and peaceful character of this Sunday’s anti-Rousseff demonstration in Rio de Turkey’s security forces were set to that targeted civilians at bus stops on predecessor as president, Luiz Inacio demonstrations shows the maturity of Janeiro, organisers estimated. launch large-scale operations against Ataturk Bulvari close to Kizilay square. Lula da Silva, to intervene by taking a a country that knows how to co-exist Analysts said the strong turnout Kurdish militants. Russia on Sunday Ala said authorities had obtained Cabinet post and bringing in others of his with different opinions and knows could lead to the unraveling of her also accused Turkey of sending its evidence pointing to the group behind choice. Yet Silva is awaiting a decision how to secure respect to its laws and fragile governing coalition. “There military across the Syrian border to the attack, but said an announcement by a Sao Paulo judge on whether he institutions.” is a situation of ungovernability,” prevent Kurdish groups there from would be made after the investigation will be detained on corruption charges. The biggest demonstration took said Francisco Fonseca, a political consolidating their positions. is completed, most probably on Sunday’s protests add to the already- place in Brazil’s economic capital, science professor at Pontifical Catholic The attack came just three weeks Monday. No group has claimed difficult position of Rousseff, who in Sao Paulo, a bastion of simmering University in Sao Paulo. “The president after a suicide car bombing in the responsibility. addition to the impeachment effort is dissatisfaction with Rousseff and the has few cards.” Fonseca added, though, capital targeted buses carrying military The private NTV news channel faced with a sprawling investigation Workers’ Party. The respected Datafolha that the protests showed a “generalised personnel, killing 29 people. A Kurdish said several vehicles caught fire by federal prosecutors into corruption polling agency estimated about 500,000 discontent with the political system” militant group which is an offshoot of following the blast which also shattered at state-run oil giant Petrobras that people took part in the demonstration, without necessarily shoring up any an outlawed rebel group, the Kurdistan the windows of shops that line the has moved closer to her inner circle while police estimated turnout at nearly particular opposition party or politician. Workers’ Party, or PKK, claimed boulevard and the square. Vientiane Times 9

Read more news at www.vientianetimes.org.laBusiness Tuesday March 15, 2016 Lao fashion designers seek openings in overseas markets

Times Reporters brands could compete with other The organiser of the Wow countries as many foreign fashion Vientiane Fashion Week, Lao brand-name clothing houses used imported materials which featured shows in designers are seeking that were fairly commonplace Vientiane on March 11-12, opportunities to join forces to while Lao designers had more said the event was a good develop their brands so they creative ideas. sign for the future of the are better placed to compete He has experienced rising fashion industry and would overseas. sales year on year and has open up more chances for The owner of Subin observed increasing interest in Lao designers to partner with Fashion, Mr Subin, who has Lao fashions by both Lao and foreign entrepreneurs. been developing his clothing foreign customers. Laos is developing rapidly brand since 2004 said Lao He said Lao clothes makers in this field, he said, and noted brand-name fashions would should increase their cooperation that there are many budding have more chance of breaking to make it easier to promote talents who are working to into international markets if they Lao brands overseas, as well as improve their designs. In formed a group, enabling them holding more fashion shows in particular, Lao designers are to seek markets together. the country or teaming up with renowned for their use of Mr Vanhkham Voravong strikes a gong to open the ceremony in Vientiane. Now that Laos is part of the other countries to show Lao traditional fabrics, especially Asean Economic Community, brands at international events. silk, which gives them an the flow of international brands Mr Subin expressed the edge in overseas markets. into Laos has increased and hope that Lao brands would He was confident that the Capital market promotion Vientiane has a growing become more widely recognised fashion week would open up a number of shopping malls. and accepted by Lao people wider horizon for those coming This gives clothing designers to prevent them spending a lot to the fore of the Lao fashion for AEC integration a big opportunity to raise their of money on foreign brands, scene and believed many of profile among local shoppers while they had better or equally them would make a name for Times Reporters speakers on investment to share Apart from that, the their knowledge and lessons, participants were able to open and tourists. good options produced by local themselves on the international The Lao Securities Exchange LSX CEO Mr Vanhkham securities accounts and inquire Mr Subin said Lao clothing designers. stage in the future. (LSX) is promoting the capital Voravong said at the opening about stock investments directly market to give more choices ceremony. with securities companies to Lao people in terms of The LSX offers choices during the event. investment after Laos became among business units to pursue The event received a full member of the Asean funds mobilisation for business cooperation and was supported Economic Community (AEC) expansion, the participants by various private and last year. heard. government organisations. The LSX on Saturday It also helps them to Mr Vanhkham hoped that hosted the Investment increase the efficiency of they would continue to provide Gateway: Opportunities to their business operations cooperation and support to Wealth in AEC, with the aim and supply transparent reveal knowledge about capital of providing information on services, and pursue markets and stock markets capital market investments greater modernisation, Mr among the Lao people. and fundraising for people Vanhkham said. The LSX currently has five looking for opportunities to The seminar also companies listed, those being expand their business within examined improvements to Banque Pour Le Commerce the AEC. help the LSX move towards Exterieur Lao Public, EDL Participants browsed international standards in Generation Public Company, various product exhibits set competition and relate with Lao World Public Company, up by government and private different stock markets in the Petroleum Trading Lao Public organisations involved in region, he added. Company and the Souvanny the capital market. They also Gifts and souvenirs were Home Centre Public Company. listended to a talk on investment also up for grabs, including This year there will be three opportunities in the stock market cash for opening securities more companies listing on the and learned from the experiences accounts, POLO T-shirts, LSX and Mr Vanhkham expects Lao brands on show at the Vientiane Fashion Week where Lao designers were looking to hook up of the speakers. bags, cups, notebooks, pens the local bourse to have reached with foreign fashionistas. The LSX invited experienced and other gifts for visitors. 25-30 companies by 2020. Australia, New Zealand airlines consider biofuel

WELLINGTON (The Statesman, market to explore options for aviation we hope we can stimulate our market, while also building long-term fuel biofuel will de-risk investment in the ANN) -- Airlines in New Zealand and biofuel, Xinhua news agency reported. drive innovation and investment and security for the sector. sector, creating high-tech, high-skilled Australia on Monday launched a bid Air New Zealand recognised the potentially uncover a sustainable biofuel “We are seeing the development of jobs in the region.” to start a market in biofuel that is used impact aviation has on the environment supply suitable for our respective the aviation biofuel industry accelerate Both airlines were committed to in aircraft. and the RFI was a key initiative under operations,” said the official. internationally but that is not yet the ensuring aviation biofuel delivered Air New Zealand and Virgin its carbon management programme, an Virgin Australia head of case for our region,” he said. environmental, social and economic Australia are the two airlines that official said. sustainability said that aviation biofuel “We are confident that our benefits, and respondents to the RFI have formed a partnership that issued “By working in partnership with offered a significant opportunity for the collaboration with Air New Zealand were encouraged to address those a request for information (RFI) to the our alliance partner Virgin Australia aviation industry to reduce emissions to procure a large volume of aviation principles.

Exchange rates as of March 14, 2016 Banque pour le Commerce Exterieur Lao Public

Foreign Currencies Buying Selling

US Dollar 50-100 8,102 8,142

Thai Baht 231.77 233.05

Euro 50-500 9,022 9,067 10 Business Tuesday March 15, 2016 Vientiane Times Asian stocks higher as investor A Toyota fuel cell forklift, focus pivots to Fed meeting (front) and a hydrogen HONG KONG (AP) -- Asian pat. The Bank of Japan and the for a while longer. fueling station and stock markets rose on Monday, Bank of England are also due to Private sector machinery carrying extending a global rally after a meet this week though analysts orders jumped 15 percent in hydrogen, strong finish last week on Wall don’t expect any major policy January over a year earlier, the background, Street, as investors turned their changes. Australia’s central bank biggest such increase since are displayed attention to upcoming meetings is set to release meeting minutes comparable data became in Yokohama, by the Fed and other major on Tuesday, which will provide available starting in April 2005. near Tokyo. central banks. further insight. Machinery orders are seen as Japan’s benchmark Nikkei “Investors seemed more a leading indicator, so some 225 index rose 1.8 percent to confident that there is little analysts say they expect capital 17,238.13 while South Korea’s chance of a March Fed hike this spending to recover this year. Kospi edged up 0.1 percent week, but they are anticipating Major US benchmarks to 1,973.47. Hong Kong’s some sort of guidance at the finished strong on Friday, Hang Seng added 1.2 percent press conference,” said Bernard capping a four-week winning to 20,466.65 and the Shanghai Aw, market strategist at IG streak. The S&P 500 gained Composite Index in mainland in Singapore. He added that 1.6 percent to 2,022.19, and Toyota partner in making wind- China gained 2.6 percent to chances of a June rate hike are is up now nearly 11 percent 2,884.03. Australia’s S&P/ now increasing. from February 11. The Dow ASX 200 climbed 0.3 percent Chinese stock markets Jones industrial average rose 1.3 power hydrogen for fuel cells to 5,242.40. Benchmarks in appeared to be buoyed by percent to 17,213.31, while the Taiwan and Southeast Asia also comments from the chief of the Nasdaq composite climbed 1.9 YOKOHAMA, Japan (AP) two warehouses. Prius gas-electric hybrid, says rose. China Securities Regulatory percent to 4,748.47. -- Toyota Motor Corp. is The project is a partnership electric vehicles are limited Investors are awaiting more Commission, who told a press US benchmark crude fell 8 responding to the main criticism between Toyota and the cities because of their cruise range. central bank meetings after the conference on Saturday that it’s cents to US$38.43 a barrel in of fuel cell cars, that making of Yokohama and nearby Wind-powered hydrogen European Central Bank followed too early to talk about winding electronic trading on the New the hydrogen for the fuel is not Kawasaki, and the prefectural is expected to reduce carbon- through last week on its promise back official support measures York Mercantile Exchange. The clean, with plans to help make Kanagawa government. dioxide emissions by at least 80 to provide more stimulus. The for stock markets, according to contract added 66 cents, or 1.7 the hydrogen using wind power. Japanese electronics and percent compared with using gas Fed wraps up a two-day meeting the official Xinhua news agency. percent, to settle at US$38.50 Fuel cells are zero-emission, energy company Toshiba Corp. or grid electricity, according to on Wednesday, as investors That suggests state money to per barrel on Friday. Brent running on the power created and energy supplier Iwatani the companies. watch to see whether the US prop up Chinese equities, which crude, which is used to price when hydrogen combines with Corp. also are involved. The hydrogen trucks, which policymaker is leaning toward have gyrated since a meltdown international oils, gained 6 cents oxygen in the air to make water. Why not just use the were newly developed, serve as hiking rates again or standing last summer, will remain in place to US$40.45 a barrel. But to have a totally clean supply electricity produced by wind hydrogen fueling stations for the chain, the hydrogen must also power for electric vehicles? Why forklifts. be cleanly made. Right now, bother making hydrogen? Japan hopes to become most hydrogen is produced from Defending the project, a leader in hydrogen power fossil fuels. Toyota Senior Managing Officer and plans to showcase its In a project announced on Shigeki Tomoyama stressed that prowess during the 2020 Tokyo Monday, hydrogen from the it is easier to store hydrogen than Olympics. Costs and ensuring wind-power plant Hama Wing electricity. Clean hydrogen is the an adequate hydrogen supply in Yokohama, southwest of best fix for global warming and are obvious challenges. Toyota’s Tokyo, will be compressed energy security, he said. Japanese rival Honda Motor Co. and transported by truck to “A stable supply of CO2- rolled out the latest model of power fuel-cell forklifts at four free hydrogen is needed,” he told its Clarity fuel cell vehicle last sites in the area — a factory, a reporters at a Yokohama hotel. week. Toyota’s fuel cell vehicle vegetable-and-fruit market and Toyota, which makes the is called the Mirai.

People walk by an electronic stock board of a securities firm in okyo.T In brief Ireland’s GDP up 7.8 percent in real terms in 2015 DUBLIN (Xinhua) -- Ireland’s GDP growth for 2015 as a whole was 7.8 percent in real terms, up from 5.2 percent in the previous year, according to official figures on Friday. The figures from the Central Statistics Office (CSO) showed Ireland’s economy continued to perform strongly in the final quarter of 2015, with its GDP growing by 2.7 percent in the quarter, way above all the other eurozone countries. Ireland’s GNP showed an increase of 5.7 percent in 2015 over 2014, the CSO said.According to economists here, this pace of growth is the fastest in Ireland since 2000, and it also made the country the fastest growing economy in the Europe Union for the second successive year.

Norway’s Statoil drops plan to set up business centre in Europe OSLO (Xinhua) -- Norwegian oil and gas company Statoil said on Friday it has decided not to proceed with the evaluations of a potential business centre in Europe. The decision was presented at a meeting with employee representatives on Friday and it was agreed that further efficiency improvements and cost reductions were needed, the Norwegian company said in a statement. The employee representatives and management agreed they must continue their efforts to identify other actions to achieve this, it added.

Spain’s consumer prices fall by 0.8 percent in Feb MADRID (Xinhua) -- Spain’s consumer prices fell by 0.8 percent in February when compared with the same month of a year earlier, according to data of the Consumer Price Index (CPI) reported on Friday by Spain’s Statistical Office (INE). Prices of transport fell by 4.7 percent in February year-on-year, while prices of food and non-alcoholic drinks and items related to communications rose by 1.3 percent and 2.7 percent respectively. The INE also reported that on a month-to-month basis, Spain’s consumer prices fell by 0.4 percent in February.Prices of items related to housing fell by 1.6 percent, those of clothing and shoes fell by 1.6 percent and those of transport fell by 0.7 percent from January to February. Vientiane Times Tuesday March 15, 2016 Business 11

Lao stock market report Asean Economic Community

Trade Summary LSX underwent a slight loss on Monday, shedding 1.05 points as BCEL and LWPC lost 50 kip Eight Lao businesswomen and 100 kip respectively. The decrease has been accompanied by not-very-impressive trading volume, just 3,500 shares in total. EDL-Gen firmly stayed unchanged at 5,800 kip, with 2,000 shares traded, generating about 11.6 million kip of turnover, while BCEL saw a turnover of 6.54 million kip from 1,500 shares matched. In the meantime, LWPC lost 100 kip as a result receive Asean awards of technical adjustment thanks to lack of demand for the stock. The other two listed stocks, PTL and SVN, closed unchanged with no trading today. LSX index finished the session at 1,148.63 points. Daily Turnover by Investor Types (LAKm)

Asean women entrepreneurs pose at the awards ceremony in Hanoi, Vietnam. Last 7 days Trading Information Times Reporters Industry Mr Vu Tien Loc, and women entrepreneurs from Secretary-General of Asean Mr SMEs in the 10 Asean member Eight female operators Le Luong Minh. states were honoured by Ms of Small and Medium-size At the forum, participants Nguyen Thi Doan together Enterprises (SMEs) in Laos shared their experiences and with Mr Le Luong Minh during received Outstanding Asean discussed strategies to foster the ceremony held on March 5. Women Entrepreneurs awards women entrepreneurs in The outstanding eight at the 2nd Asean Women advancing the Asean Economic women entrepreneurs from Entrepreneurs Network Forum Community, pressing issues SMEs in Laos were: Ms 2016 held in Hanoi, Vietnam, encountered by them, and the Chanthachone Vongsay, from March 4-5. role of women entrepreneurs as President of the Lao Business The two-day event was drivers of economic growth. Women’s Association and organised by the Vietnam Various enterprises and K&C Group Company; Ms BCEL-KT Securities Company Limited Email: [email protected] Chamber of Commerce and business associations from Manola Daravong from Industry, Asean, and the within and outside the region Kualao restaurant and the Asean Women Entrepreneurs shared their business models food and drink business; Ms Network, with the participation for women’s financial inclusion, Viengsoutoula Phetsangharn of over 500 female operators corporate social responsibility, from the Ammalin Lao of SMEs from the 10 Asean and the economic empowerment Silk Shop; Ms Vidaly member states. of women. Chanthaphasouk, from SC The event was attended by Coca Cola, Women in Design and Construction Co., Vice President of Vietnam Ms International Trade Los Ltd.; Ms Latsamy Vetsaphong Nguyen Thi Doan, Vietnam Angeles, IMEX Pan Pacific, from Saep I-Lee Shop; Ms Sharing benefits, sharing wealth Minister of Labour, Invalids GREAT Women Philippines, Bounthavy Chounlamany from and Social Affairs Ms Pham the Association of Women the Vernkham Salt Company; Thi Hai Chuyen, President Entrepreneurs of Indonesia, Ms Ketsavanh Panyathip of the Vietnam Chamber TH Group, and other groups from Target Magazine; and Lanexang Cement Lao Company Limited is officially of Commerce and Industry shared their experiences in the Ms Alang Vangthachan from and Chairman of the Asean world of business. Houngaloun Import-Export investing in cement production under the Yunnan Chamber of Commerce and Seventy-six outstanding and Transport Company. Provincial Energy Investment Group Co., Ltd. (YEIG). The company uses the most modern technology for Big banks given up to June the production system. to submit recovery plans

PHILIPPINE (Philippine Daily Inquirer, ANN) “The recovery plan shall be applied on a Several categories of cement products are produced -- BANKS considered “too big to fail” have group-wide basis, covering all institutions in the been mandated to put in place recovery plans banking group, as well as affiliates assessed by at the factory in Khammuan Province including mixed and submit them by the middle of this year to the D-SIB as essential to restore, or will have the BangkoSentralngPilipinas (BSP). an impact on, the banking group’s viability and cement P.C32.5, regular cement P.0425, regular hot In BSP Circular No. 904 dated on March financial position,” the BSP said. cement P.MH42.5, and Portland P.052.5. 10, Governor Amando M. Tetangco Jr. noted “lf covered institutions have their respective that domestic systemically important banks’ recovery plan, the D-SIB shall ensure that each (D-SIBs) distress or disorderly failure would of the covered institutions’ recovery plans is have a severe impact on the domestic financial consistent with the group recovery plan,” it Currently our company is looking for distributors and system and economy as a whole. added. In this regard, the BSP came out with Last year, the BSP issued rules that required dealers across Laos to distribute cement products to guidelines for the preparation and adoption of major banks to put up more cash buffers for the recovery plan, which will be an integral losses, aims to ensure that the industry is strong people in Lao and various construction projects. part of D-SIBs’ Internal Capital Adequacy enough to withstand massive write offs. Assessment Process (ICAAP) document, a Reports last year showed that 14 lenders fell report they need to submit on March 31 every into the category of D-SIBs. Interested Individuals are welcome to contact our year. Banks were named D-SIBs based on The BSP ordered D-SIB to submit their their size, the extent of their dealings with company directly on the 3rd floor of the ICBC building first recovery plan on June 30 this year, as a other lenders and institutions, substitutability supplement to their respective 2016 ICAAP and market reliance, and the complexity of in Sibounheuang Village, Chanthabouly District, documents. operations. According to the BSP, D-SIBs should “come Depending on their classifications of Vientiane Capital. up with a concrete and reasonable recovery plan D-SIBs, banks will be required to put up the that sets out the actions that it will take to restore capital equivalent to 1.5-2.5 percent of their its viability in cases of significant deterioration risk-weighted assets. This capital requirement For more information call: (+856 21) 263690, (+856 of its financial condition in different scenarios.” will be on top of the 10 percent capital adequacy In general, the recovery plan was aimed ratio or CAR that all universal and commercial 20) 9636 9999. at preparing D-SIBs for “future destabilising banks already have to maintain to operate in events and/or crises.” the Philippines. 12 Tuesday March 15, 2016 Vientiane Times Vientiane Times Tuesday March 15, 2016 13 14 Tuesday March 15, 2016 Vientiane Times

Lao People’s Democratic Republic Ministry of Industry and Commerce Second Trade Development Facility Project ID No: P130512 REQUEST FOR EXPRESS OF INTEREST For Private Sector Development Consultant andAdministrative Assistant

The Second Trade Development Facility (TDF-2) is a multi-donor program financed by Australia, the European Union, Germany, Ireland, United Stated of America and the World Bank focusing on improving trade and private sector development in Lao PDR. The development objective of TDF-2, which is implemented by the Ministry of Industry and Commerce (MoIC), is to support the implementation of government’s trade and integration priorities outlined in the 2012 Diagnostic Trade Integration Study (DTIS) Roadmap, and in particular to contribute to improved competitiveness and diversification, focusing outside the natural resource sectors. The Lao Business Forum (LBF) is designed to improve the business enabling environment by providing a platform for effective dialogue between the business community and Government and facilitating information-sharing with potential investors. The LBF is structured at four levels: an annual forum, steering committee meetings, public private consultation meetings, and private sector working groups’ meetings. Lao National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LNCCI)will perform the Secretariat functions for the LBF and is responsible for overall coordination and facilitation. To support the LBF secretariat, National Implementation Unit is looking for qualified technical consultants to fill the following positions: 1. Private Sector Development Consultant

Tasks and responsibilities: 1. Manage day to day operations of the secretariat under the guidance of a Senior LNCCI Executive and Deputy Secretary General. 2. Promote a strong private/public partnership between the government of Lao PDR, the donor community and the private sector. a. Promote the LBF within the business community and raise its professional and political profile. b. Act as a honest broker in the best interest of the private sector to foster good working relations between the business groups and government counterparts to support and promote policy initiatives that emanate from the LBF. c. Conduct follow-up dialogue with the Government Counterparts on the various issues raised at formal LBF and Working Group meetings. 3. Work closely with the Government Focal Point at DPC, MoIC, and Business Groups to organize various meetings under LBF, including meetings of private sector working groups, public private consultation at technical level, project steering committee, and the annual forum. 4. Act as a resource center and single contact point for the private sector. Coordinate inputs from and work with individual business groups on the identification of policy issues, their prioritization at the working group level, and preparation of recommendations to the Government. a. Provide necessary support to enable better participation of a broad and diverse range of Lao businesses in the LBF and the Working Groups to pursue common issues of interest to the private sector. b. Co-ordinate the activities of the PS working groups; c. With support from the Government Focal Point at DPC, MoIC, facilitate Public-Private Consultation meetings, prepare inputs to semi-annual Steering Committee meetings, and the annualLBF meeting to ensure that the interests of all private sector players are fairly and adequately reflected in all LBF activities. d. With support from the Government Focal Point at DPC, MoIC, prepare necessary technical inputs to semi-annual meetings of the Steering Committee, annual Business Forum, and provides meeting logistic support for Steering Committee Meetings and the annual Forum. e. Monitor progress regarding implementation of actions agreed at the LBF, support the Secretariat and Government Focal Point at DPC, MoIC, in following up with line ministries, and disseminate information to all participants. Qualifications requirement: In order to qualify for the assignment, the candidates shall meet the following requirements: • Post graduate degree in law, business administration or economics; • At least 5 year experience working for government agencies, private businesses or donor funded projects; • Past experience in similar assignments is desired. • Good understanding of the operations of the government and its structure; • Good knowledge of the operations of private businesses and issues facing them; • Excellent communication and presentation skills; • Excellent command of English and Lao. 2. Administrative Assistant

Tasks and Responsibilities • Perform a full range of secretarial duties for the LBF Secretariat, including screening and routing correspondence and telephone calls, arranging meetings, drafting routine responses; • Translating basic project documents and preparing presentations; • Support the secretariat to liaise with external parties related to the LBF activities; • Assist in preparing project documents and maintain filing as required. Ensure that all internal and external documents to be produced during a project cycle are accessible in the filing system at all times; • Assist in identifying and obtaining relevant information; • Organize workshops and seminars as required by the secretariat; • Provide necessary logistics and secretarial support to the secretariat; and • Perform other duties as assigned by head of the secretariat. Qualifications Requirement: • Minimum a Bachelor degree in Law, business administration or economics; • Minimum two years of relevant working experience; • Past experience in the capacity of an Admin Assistant or Program Assistant in a similar setting or a donor funded project is an asset; • Fluency in English and Lao; • Excellent computer skills, especially with MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint. This shall be a full-time assignment for a period of 12 months, based in Vientiane, Lao National of Commerce and Industry Office (LNCCI), expected to start as soon as possible.The full detailed ToR is available at the NIU’s website: http://t4dlaos.org/index.php/en/work-with-us/vacancies The Consultant will be selected in accordance with the Individual Consultants (IC) selection method set out in the Consultant Guidelines, in line with the World Bank’s Guidelines “Selection and Employment of Consultants”, January 2011. The NIU now invites interested eligible consultant to provide information indicating that you are qualified to perform the services (curriculum vitae with expressions of interest and references). Expressions of interest must be delivered in a written form to the address below (in person, or by mail, or by fax, or by e-mail) by March 24, 2016, 16:00 o’clock.National Implementation Unit (NIU), Ministry of Industry and Commerce, Ban Phonxay, Xaysettha District, Vientiane Capital, Lao PDR. Tel: +856(21) 41 39 16 – 45 39 82; Fax: +856(21) 41 39 16 E-mail: [email protected]; Attention: Mr. Phouvieng Phongsa, NIU Director. Note: only short list will be contacted. Vientiane Times Tuesday March 15, 2016 15 Women & Development Leaving behind poverty through weaving

ne of the many villagers really needed now was traditions passed on support with income generation. from generation to Training sessions were held to generation in Laos is teach women new ways to earn theO art of weaving. an income. Meekharm has been weaving In 2014, Meekharm was for 37 years. Her mother started chosen to join a traditional teaching her when she was 8 weaving training session. years old and she has since kept Lessons on how to weave with a the tradition alive. loom were offered to 12 women “I’ve always wanted to sell along with start-up materials for the skirts I made, but no one the group. A total of 15,000,000 ever showed interest in them. I kip (US$1,845) was invested in would weave for my family or the project. in exchange for rice sometimes,” Meekharm began weaving said Meekharm. more intricate and creative skirts With little access to markets and was delighted when people and creative tools, weaving wanted to buy them - her own women had difficulty making a handiwork. The more she sewed, profit from their products. the more she sold. Soon she was Consequently, Meekharm earning enough to buy food for used to rely on rice harvesting her entire family – food that to feed her husband and five greatly improved her children’s children. health. With the occasional She routinely used the slash surplus of money, this mother and burn method for cultivation, was able to buy medicine in leaving her with little time to find times of need. food for her family. Everyone “The weaving group is very in her home suffered from food important and beneficial for shortages. women in our village. It creates Being unable to send all their a stable job for them when children to school is a burden the farming season is over. It that weighed heavily on these closes the income gap that exists parents’ hearts. because of harvest seasons,” says World Vision’s original focus the village chief. at school. We will help him to is now a sustainable way to the village to buy our products; project has empowered hundreds in their village was on building Last year, Meekharm and complete his studies as much as assist my family and support my there is no need to travel to the of women across the country better education facilities her daughter earned more than we can,” Meekharm said. children,” she adds. district centre. It’s much easier to earn a sustainable income. and improving access to and 3,150,000 kip (US$397.75) a “The weaving group was so The days of slash and burn these days. My daughter and I Women feel confident and proud providing clean water. month. This money allowed the valuable to me. It helped improve are in the past even began weaving scarves in to be supporting their families Soon after, staff determined family to buy school supplies and my family’s living conditions Nowadays, the focus in the order to diversify our products,” with an art form that has been that families were capable a uniform for the youngest son. by providing me with valuable village is very much on weaving. Meekharm added proudly. passed on for generations. of basic safe living and what “He is my only child now knowledge about weaving that “Female merchants come to This World Vision weaving --World Vision Laos 16 Tuesday March 15, 2016 Vientiane Times Travel See you next time, Vangvieng

The dazzling Blue Lagoon near the entrance to Phoukham cave.

was at the top, I realised that it was a way to distract you. If you were busy counting the steps, you wouldn’t realise how far Food stalls line the streets of Vangvieng. you’d climbed. There wouldn’t be as many complaints. It’s quite Thipphaphone Channavong get to the cave, you have to cross cunning actually. an orange bridge which looks like Inside the caves, it’s a tradition oes nature mixed with a smaller version of the Golden to do siengxi (fortune-telling). a little bit of adventure Gate bridge in San Francisco. You make a small donation and sound appealing to I love how the temperature then pick up a bottle containing you? If so, then changed once you reached the several wooden sticks. Then you DVangvieng is your destination. cave area. You suddenly feel shake it until one comes out. It Vangvieng is a small district in the cooler and more relaxed. will show you a number. I got 9 north of Vientiane province, just There’s a saying that if you so I went to pick the little piece four hours’ drive from the capital don’t count the steps uphill to of paper numbered 9 and read and a perfect weekend getaway. the cave, you won’t be lucky. my fortune. The first day I arrived there So I counted each step of the A swim outside just outside on a recent trip, I went to explore long winding staircase up and Jung cave was wonderful. I swam A guide issues instructions before a group sets off in their kayaks down the Xong River. Jung Cave. Entrance costs 10,000 up. It turned out I was just a upstream into the tunnel so it was kip if you’re Lao and 15,000 kip number short. Carved into the quite hard going. In the end, I was climbed out through a hole instead if you’re a foreigner. Before you stairs, it says 147 steps. Once I too tired to get all the way so I of swimming back out. I thought next time I will swim to the very CALL FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST end for sure. Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation Officer On the second day, we went on an 8-km kayaking trip along Background the Nam Xong river. The water The Government of Lao PDR has received a loan from the Special Funds resources of the was very tame at this time of Asian Development Bank toward the cost of the Health Sector Governance Program. The the year so it wasn’t that scary. Program intends to apply part of the loan to recruit three planning and monitoring officers However, one must consider the in order to support the project implementation. The executive agency for the Program is the rocks that could harm us when the Ministry of Health through the Department of Planning and International Cooperation. The water is not deep. During the trip, Program is implemented in 18 provinces of Lao PDR. I enjoyed the green river and the Location quiet, mountainous scenery. A trip Vientiane Capital, Lao PDR, with travel to provinces. like this costs 100,000 kip a boat Duration of contract including hotel pick up. Thirty six months Once you’re tired from Scope of Work: rowing the boat, you can’t miss Swimmers head inside Jung Cave, where the water is incredibly clear. Assist the Program manager of the Health Sector Governance Program to develop, implement, the food stalls that sell pancakes, monitor, and report on Program’s plans and budgets; sandwiches and burgers. The Tasks: toppings and fillings are unique The planning and monitoring officer will work under the direction of the Program director. including banana, egg, chocolate The planning and monitoring officers are responsible for the following tasks: and coconut milk. The price starts • Assist MOH departments and provincial health offices in the preparation of 2016 to 2018 from 10,000 kip for one filling. annual operational plans and budgets; I was quite surprised about the • Review provincial plans and budgets submitted by MOH departments and provincial expensive price of the food as health offices and support improvement of these plans with recommendations and guidance everything cost almost the same from the Program management; as in Vientiane. • Monitor and report on implementation of annual operational plans and budgets; In the afternoon, we went • Participate in the design, collect, and processing of information and data required for the to Poukham cave which is a monitoring and evaluation of the Program; 15-minute drive along a recently • Assist the Program manager with regard to administrative and financial tasks, reporting, built road. The moment had come communication, organization of meetings, participation in meeting, field trips etc.; to challenge yourself and jump Qualifications: off the tree into the Blue Lagoon. • The Planning and Monitoring Officer has a Bachelor or Master’s degree in Medicine, After watching many rounds of The interior of Jung Cave. Public Health or a Master degree in business and administration, or equivalent with at least tourists jump off, I deemed it deep three years’ experience in project planning, budgeting, administration and management. enough to safely jump. might have died. I wish there had been a sign to explain the safe way • Good computer skills (Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint) Climbing up the wooden to jump. • Competency in both spoken and written English language, and the ability to work at ladder into the tree, there is Sadly, I did not go into Poukham cave or take the zipline, which national, provincial and district levels. anticipation from the long line of cost 120,000 kip per person, because we didn’t have enough time. So jumpers. When I was up there on I promised myself I would come back another time and do it. Applicants should submit not later than 28 March 2016 a letter of interest and curriculum the tree branch, I looked down and We stayed at the Malany Guesthouse which cost 50,000 kip person, vitae addressed to: it suddenly seemed so far down. opposite the Sakura Bar. It’s not a bad hotel based on the price and Dr. Prasongsidh BOUPHA I thought if I hesitated too long, location. It’s great if you want to enjoy a bit of clubbing at night. Director General Department of Planning and International Cooperation, MoH I would chicken out. So I spread When I saw a bunch Korean and European tourists leaving the Program Director, National Program Coordination Office (NPCO) my arms and just jumped. And guesthouse by minivans, I went to ask the receptionist about the price. Ministry of Health, Fa Ngum Road, Sisattanack, district, Vientiane Capital, Lao PDR if you’re wondering if it hurts, He told me that it cost 40,000 kip to go from Vangvieng to Vientiane and (in front of Don Chan Palace) it does. My arms were red as if the van stops near the National Culture Hall. I nodded, the information Tel: 223146, 252753 Fax: 223146 someone had repeatedly slapped memorised for next time. Email: [email protected] me. Throughout my whole trip, a recurring thought keeps popping up Only short listed candidates will be notified. Upon reflection, I should have in my brain. Next time I’ll do this. Next time I’ll do that. That’s when protected my chest from the drop, you know you like a place a lot. You’re already planning your next Detailed TOR can be obtained upon request at the above e-mail address. which is about 7m high. What if visit in your mind. I fell face first into the water? I • Thipphaphone Channavong is an intern at Vientiane Times Vientiane Times Tuesday March 15, 2016 17 Opinion StreetwiseStreetwise What can be done to lessen the impact of the long dry spell? The weather is getting hotter and hotter and people are running short of water as we near the end of the long dry season. This makes life especially difficult for farmers. Many people, especially agriculturists, are concerned about the effects of water shortages and would like the sector responsible to find solutions to this perennial problem. Vientiane Times asked some people what they thought should be done to help people affected by the lack of rainfall.

Visith Teppalath problems. It creates difficult provinces are suffering from with these circumstances, agricultural development have to go a long way to living conditions, especially water shortages and of course especially as it happens and it sometimes affects local fetch water from areas lower Ms Thingthong for farmers and people who this affects crop cultivation. every year. In the case of socio-economic growth. I down. We collect some water Khamphankeomany, live in rural areas far away We’re in the middle of the farming, the authorities think the sector concerned in the rainy season but it’s a student at Pakpasak from rivers. The dry season dry season right now so should circulate information should build more large not enough to use in the very Technical College: The affects a large number we should be prepared to about the potential impacts dams and irrigation channels hot weather. Only people weather seems to be getting of people every year and deal with the problems that of the dry season and how to to ensure that water can be who live near valleys and hotter and hotter these farmers always struggle to arise, as they do every year. mitigate the effects in areas delivered to crops in both streams can grow dry season grow their dry season crops. that are most likely to be hard crops. But this year, many I think everyone should be hit. The government should farmers have decided not aware of the need to save provide funding to dig wells to grow crops in the dry water, treat it as a valuable or bore holes and pump water season because the water in resource and try to protect the as in the past there hasn’t the river is low. Of course, remaining sources of water. been enough help in the dry we need irrigation because And the sector responsible season. I think it would be should be ready to help better if more consideration farmers quickly if need be. I were given to building have heard that, in order to large irrigation systems increase crop yields for food throughout the country as security and commercial gain, this would supply a regular the government is trying to flow of water that people build more irrigation systems It’s not just the provinces could drink and famers and dams each year. that suffer from a lack of could use for their crops. the wet and dry seasons. If water – the same thing can there is good irrigation, it days. The hot weather dries Ms Soulivanh Phonnhiem, happen in Vientiane too, Mr Khammaly, a resident will not only help to increase everything up and can lead a resident of Phonkham especially if it’s very hot. of Xebangfay district, rice yields but will also help to fires, a shortage of water, village, Sikhottabong The government should Khammuan province: People to mitigate the impacts of sunburn, and various health district: I know that some have a strong plan to cope in my province always suffer inadequate rainfall, which can in the dry season especially be very damaging. farmers in rural areas because Vientiane Times Subscription 2016 there are not enough dams to Ms Vee, a resident of the water provided can help store water for use in farming. Thongmixay district, with farming, and farming Many people cannot plant dry Xayaboury province: My can help to alleviate 1. DOMESTIC SUBSCRIPTION (6 issues/week) and online fee season rice and other crops district has water shortages poverty. If possible, the 78 issues (3 months) 305,000k +100,000k 405,000k and have to do other jobs every year because there is government should do Regular price 156 issues (6 months) 609,000k +100,000k 709,000k instead. In the worst case, no dam or big river there. It more to ease the effects people leave home to work in is too hard to dig bore holes of the long dry season in 312 issues (1 year) 1,217,000k +100,000k 1,317,000k other provinces or countries and find sources of water rural areas and help upland Home Delivery (City Centre) 78 issues (3 months) 390,000k +100,000k 490,000k in order to make a living. underground because our communities to grow crops Area: Thadeua Rd. Dongdok, 156 issues (6 months) 780,000k +100,000k 880,000k This is not good for our village is on a hill. So we at this time of the year. Ban Tanmixay and Sikhay villages. 312 issues (1 year) 1,560,000k +100,000k 1,660,000k 2. DOMESTIC SUBSCRIPTION FOR PROVINCES (6 issues/week), inclusive of postage cost

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Mail this completed form with your cheque to: Payment in advance Vientiane Times, Kamphaengmeuang Rd, Phonpapao Village, Please request rates for other destinations at Unit 32 Sisattanak District, Vientiane Lao PDR [email protected]. Make your payment to PO Box 5723. Tel: 021 336042, Fax: 021 336041 Vientiane Times bank account at the BCEL (US$) A/c Website: www.vientianetimes.org.la 010110100989471001 or (kip) A/c 010110000989471001 Email: [email protected] 18 Opinion Tuesday March 15, 2016 Vientiane Times IMF leader visits Laos Time to enforce the Law global growth slowing and China rebalancing. However, Asia, and in particular China, India on Alcohol Beverages and Asean countries, continue to be the strongest contributors to global growth, since their Editorial Desk theatres without permission. businesses that sell alcohol to economies continue to be dynamic. So they are All forms of advertisement make sure they follow the rules a bright spot in the world economy. t has been over one year that promote alcoholic drink sales before issuing them with a Q. What is your understanding of the since the Law on Alcohol are forbidden, as is the distribution business licence. If businesses do structure of the Lao economy and how it Beverages was promulgated of alcohol in prohibited places, as not comply with the conditions generates job opportunities for local people? on January 30, 2015. stated in Article 29. laid down by the trade sector, the IThe law’s objectives are All forms of sales promotion authorisation should be revoked. A. The Lao economy has made impressive to determine the principles, are prohibited such as discounting, Furthermore, the business gains in the last 10 years thanks to key regulations and measures lucky draws, exchanges, free operators should be prosecuted. investments in strategic economic sectors, concerning the management, offers and souvenirs. The information technology including hydropower and mining, and the monitoring, inspection, The law also forbids the sale sector must also take a look at development of important services such as production control, import, of alcoholic drinks to people social media and take action banking and transportation. These have helped distribution, and advertising of under 18, to those who appear to against alcohol advertisements the economy grow at an impressive rate and alcohol to promote good health be intoxicated, those in uniform, that are breaking the law. develop social services that have helped improve and protect people against illness. and motorists. To lawfully control the sale of the welfare of a large part of the population. The law aims to reduce the These regulations are very alcoholic drinks, leadership must negative impacts of excessive clear and should be followed by be shown, ensuring that every However, there continue to be important alcohol consumption and anti- business operators but in reality sector works together with a clear challenges. For example, a large part of the social behaviour, as well as the this is not the case. division of responsibilities. population lives in rural areas, where economic detrimental effect it can have on Many restaurants ignore The excessive consumption productivity is still low. As I mentioned earlier, productivity. the law by displaying alcohol of alcohol has led to widespread investments in infrastructure and social services, Like other laws, if it is not trademarks and offering other drinking and driving with road particularly education and health, are necessary seriously enforced it is useless inducements to customers. accidents occurring across the Christine Lagarde. to bring more people into more productive and the social problems that need Even in supposed off-limits country. Both rescue teams and economic activities, and thus raise their standard to be urgently addressed will not temple grounds, especially on the police are in consensus about be fixed. the outskirts of Vientiane, alcohol the most common cause of these Somsack Pongkhao of living. Such is the case with the is on sale when a band plays to accidents - alcohol. Shall we Q. What are the IMF’s growth forecasts promotion of alcoholic products, entertain festival goers. leave this problem as it is? Christine Lagarde is Managing Director of the for the Lao economy over the next four or which continues to be widespread This year I would like to I would like to applaud some International Monetary Fund. She is paying her five years? across the country. commend village authorities governments in Asean countries first visit to Laos and planning to meet several A. Despite greater global uncertainty, we Restaurants and alcohol in Xaythany district, who that have done a good job in high-ranking officials here. She arrived in expect Laos to continue growing at around 7 vendors are freely advertising excluded bands from temple controlling alcohol promotion, Vientiane yesterday and will meet senior Lao percent over the next few years, making it one their drinks for sale with signs, festivals in line with villagers’ such as Thailand. It has many billboards and special promotions requests. Unfortunately, alcohol alcoholic products, but it’s hard officials on Tuesday to discuss cooperation of the fastest growing economies in the world. such as giving free drinks to overindulgence has accompanied to see signs advertising alcohol between IMF and Laos. Vientiane Times However, risks to the world economy could clients, thereby increasing music and dancing at many along the roads because it’s interviews her about the purposes of her visit as impact Laos. alcohol consumption. occasions that should instead be against the law. The distribution well as her perspectives on the global economy First, global growth could continue to slow Social media is also becoming focused on religious activities. of alcoholic drinks is also under and how it impacts Laos. down, and this would affect demand for Laos’ a significant channel to promote While the law has been strict control. Police also very Q. Can you tell us about the main aim exports. Second, the rebalancing of the Chinese alcoholic drinks in Laos because promulgated, who is going to strictly control the issue of of your visit to Laos and what core topics economy might create more turbulence. We see everyone uses smartphones to monitor the situation to make drunken driving, and alcohol you plan to discuss? What do you expect to the transition that China is going through as take photos at parties and post sure it is put into practice? trading hours must follow them on the internet. Pictures Indeed, various public sectors specified times. If someone necessary, and it will make the Chinese economy accomplish from your visit? of people raising their glasses in are monitors and inspectors, but promotes alcohol products via A. Let me first say how pleased I am to visit and the world economy stronger in the long run. a toast and smiling broadly are do they know their duties? social media they can also be your beautiful country for the first time! I very But on the way, there may be some bumps that regularly found on social media. For example, officials prosecuted under the law. much look forward to enjoying the history and could affect the region. A third risk might be a Under the law’s Article 53 working in the culture sector With other countries culture of Laos. You have experienced rapid further tightening of global financial conditions, there are 12 clauses that prohibit are responsible for overseeing clamping down on the trade in economic growth and development over the which could also lead to a slowdown in regional actions by businesses serving advertisements. If businesses put and consumption of alcohol, why past decade and halved poverty by 2015 – a growth that could affect Laos. alcohol. One cites a ban on up advertisements for alcohol in aren’t we learning from them and very important Millennium Development Goal. Q. What are your perceptions of the businesses displaying alcohol contravention of the law, officials following suit? trademarks through the media, in should take action against the law  If you have any Laos should build on this important achievement advantages and disadvantages of doing public areas, communities, sports breakers. comments or wish to contribute and continue to support an economy that creates business in Laos? stadiums, children’s playgrounds, The trade sector can also an opinion piece, please email: jobs and opportunities for all. I will reaffirm A. Laos is located within one of the fastest educational institutions and carry out its duties by inspecting [email protected] the IMF’s support when I meet with President growing regions of the global economy and Choummaly Sayasone, Deputy Prime Minister is increasingly integrating into the regional Thongloun Sisoulith, and other officials. economy through cross-border investments Q. We understand that this is your first and exports. It also has a relatively young and What the Lao papers say visit to Laos which takes place while the dynamic population. This means there are nation is preparing to host the Asean Summit tremendous opportunities for businesses to share later this year. How do you see Laos’ role in and participate in the benefits of Laos’ growth Peace and order for National Assembly election Asean economic integration? going forward. A. Laos’ role as Chair of Asean is recognition Laos has also upgraded its institutional The election to select members of the National Assembly’s Eighth Legislature will soon take that the country plays an important role in infrastructure as a result of joining the WTO place and as it is such an important event everyone should work together to ensure peace the region. Laos is strategically located in 2013, and as a full member of the Asean and security nationwide. Maintaining peace is not just the work of police and soldiers but is also the duty of all with close cultural and economic ties to its Economic Community. If Laos can concentrate citizens. neighbours. Looking forward, Laos will need on improving the business environment, the It is easy for us to earn a living if Laos is peaceful but if there is disorder it will affect to make strategic and targeted investments in country would be more competitive and able many things, especially as the country has joined the Asean Economic Community. infrastructure and also concentrate on education to integrate with its regional partners in Asean The officials concerned have been working as normal to preserve peace but it is most and other social services so it can better integrate more effectively. important that they receive full public cooperation. its population into higher value-added economic Q. How can the IMF help in order to further Officials say that all Lao people are soldiers and police so it is the duty of everyone to activities and diversify its trade and investment sustain economic growth? help each other to protect the country. relations with other countries in the region. This A. We share the same goal -- to achieve Recently, we learnt that some people were working in gangs to make things such as fake is essential as the Asean Economic Community macroeconomic stability, keep the economy on a credit cards while a group selling weapons was also discovered. comes to fruition. path that leads to high and more inclusive growth, In the opinion of this reporter it is necessary to ensure security at all levels, starting Q. The global economy is currently and to meet the objective of graduating Laos from from the family institution, village security, district and provincial police as well as all other concerned sectors. sluggish overall. Laos is no exception. What low-income country status by 2020. Laos has --Vientiane Mai Daily, March 11 is the outlook for the global economy? grown rapidly over the last 10 years, by 8 percent A. In recent months, economic prospects for on average, which is an impressive record. And advanced and emerging markets have become the government has managed to maintain solid Public toilets should be cleaner more challenging as global growth has been macroeconomic stability. However, for this to weakening. The economic recovery in the continue in a sustainable way, the government Public toilets can be found in many areas of Vientiane and these are useful amenities but United States and the euro area is progressing but needs to address fiscal and external vulnerabilities, they also need to be maintained to an acceptable level of sanitation. remains relatively slow and uneven. Meanwhile, since the economy can be affected by external A Pasaxon Van-Athit reader called this reporter to say that public toilets at places like China’s transition to a more balanced growth shocks and fluctuations in commodity prices. bus stations, markets, and some hospitals are often in a poor state of hygiene. path has led to a slowdown in growth that has In our view, to reduce fiscal and external risks, The normal charge is 2,000 kip but in return the people who receive concessions to run public toilets should ensure they are kept clean. also had an impact on the global economic the policy framework should aim to maintain He also complained that if public toilets are dirty the operators will not only lose money environment. Finally, the prospect of higher a gradual fiscal consolidation, accumulate because people don’t want to use them but they are also a potential health hazard. US interest rates and the appreciation of the US international reserves, and continue to ensure Our toilets reflect the social condition of the country so it is necessary for the sector dollar have had an effect on emerging market the banking system is secure. The IMF remains concerned to check that they are maintained, rather than the operators just collecting money growth and global demand. committed to maintaining a close policy dialogue for doing nothing. Asia and Asean countries are not immune with the government and to help the people of Laos, --Pasaxon Van-Athit Weekly, March 11 to these developments and will be affected by through technical assistance and policy advice. Vientiane Times Tuesday March 15, 2016 19 Arts & Leisure Brie Larson needed to Exhibition raising money ‘find herself’ after ‘Room’ and profile for Lao art LONDON (The Statesman, ANN) -- Actress Brie Larson immersed herself “deep” into her character in Room, and needed to take time to find herself afterwards. “This time a year ago I was still trying to figure out who I was. The movie was done but I was in deep, searching, trying to remember who I was before this movie. Who I was by the time the movie was over was so far away from who I was when I started. So it was a long process of trying to find myself,” Larson told OK! Magazine, reports femalefirst.co.uk. But these days, Larson, who was feted with the Best Actress at last month’s Oscars, is more secure in who she is and felt “strong and excited” when she picked up her award. “The weird part is, I’m standing here now, completely myself. Everything about this experience, down to the way I felt about it, the dress I’m wearing, has been pointedly about it being a representation of who I am.” “I feel really strong and excited to be holding Mr Sompaseuth Chounlamany this gold guy. It’s an incredible metaphor for how with one of his auctioned Brie Larson. I feel inside.” paintings. The shape of terrible memories Visith Teppalath n exhibition featuring 28 colourful oil paintings of Lao women in traditional costumesA by Mr Sompaseuth Mr Phonepaseuth Vannalathsamy with his traditional goldwork Chounlamany is drawing art embroidery. enthusiasts following its opening in Vientiane last week. The exhibition’s opening ceremony took place at Maison de la Culture de Ban Naxay (House of Culture in Naxay village) on Thursday and was attended by Vice President of the Lao Journalists’ Association Mr Somsanouk Mixay, Deputy Director of the exhibiting house Ms Xayprani Chanthalangsy, Angkrit Ajchariyasophon’s abstract oils are inspired by the artist’s visit to Rikuzentakata, a Japanese foreign ambassadors, art town wiped out by the March 11, 2011 disasters. lovers and the media. The exhibition aims to THAILAND (The Nation, ANN) paintings, and Tawatchai, in his Rikuzentakata similarly record promote the fine art of oil -- As Japan marked the fifth photographs, map out “spiritual” changes, in this case the stirring painting while encouraging anniversary last Friday of the contours that echo a landscape transformation from utter ruin local artistic expression in devastating Tohuku earthquake - of geography and of the soul - and abandonment to rebuilding others. - which with the tsunami it that was irrevocably changed by and resettlement. He first visited The award winning Mr triggered left 18,500 people the 2011 disaster. the town in 2012, not long after Sompaseuth, who blends One of the 28 paintings featuring Lao women in traditional dress. dead or missing - the Bangkok Angkrit, 45 and based in the earthquake and tsunami, and realism and impressionism, is art community paused to reflect Chiang Rai, spent his time in then returned in 2014 for his a USA-based Lao artist with exhibition house and its activities by donating paintings for at the opening of the exhibition Rikuzentakata last year working residence and again last year, a great love for oil painting, auction,” he said. “Contour”. with local counterparts on a marvelling at its rebirth. having exhibited his works Mr Phonepaseuth Vannalathsam, from Luang Prabang The show, continuing into project called “1000 Rainbows”, His photos show how both in Laos and the US. province, also displayed his exquisite traditional goldwork next month at the Numthong which had at its core a message nature supplied the materials Mr Sompaseuth told embroidery on the opening day. Gallery, is the fruit of Angkrit of hope for those who’d lost so for reconstruction, from Vientiane Times he was very Speaking at the opening ceremony, Mr Somsanouk Ajchariyasophon and Tawatchai much in the catastrophe. the surrounding forests and happy as this was his first solo congratulated the gallery on holding such an impressive Pattanaporn’s residency at Back home, he noted the way mountains. exhibition, having previously exhibition and congratulated Mr Sompaseuth for bringing his Rikuzentakata in Japan, which colours has been commandeered On his second and third exhibited only in a group. beautiful art for public display. had the support of the Japan to represent political ideals and visits Thawatchai “felt like a “I want to promote more An auction of some of the paintings began on March 10 Foundation’s Thai office. turned in the opposite direction. stranger”, having to familiarise art activities in Laos and and ends today at 5pm. All the money raised will help preserve That town, whose current His next set of abstracts was himself with all the sights again. preserve the fine tradition of Maison de la Culture de Ban Naxay and promote its artistic population is just 20,000, was inspired, he says, by Russian Even the people who’d lived Lao costume through the arts. activities. “wiped off the map” by the Kazimir Malevich painting there a long time would probably This is my first solo exhibition The exhibition can be seen at the gallery on Sisangvone Road tsunami. The “contour” of the “White on White”, but there feel the same, he suspected. In and I’m proud to support the in Naxay village, Xaysettha district, until March 31. exhibition’s title refers to both were also the rainbow hues of his pictures he’s attempted to the geological vectors on a map American Ellsworth Kelly’s reconstruct his memories - and and the rough outline an artist “Spectrum V”. theirs. Zootopia sets single-day animation record makes to set the scale for an Angkrit says his intent was Some of the photos from this undertaking. to record incidents and changes series were exhibited at Cloud CHINA (China Daily, ANN) Just as important in the occurring in Thailand during that Space last September, as part of -- Disney charmer Zootopia context of the exhibition, crucial time. the Photo Bangkok Festival. At has drawn the highest Angkrit, in his abstract Tawatchai’s images from least that much might be familiar. single-day gross ever for an animated film in China on Saturday. It sits at about US$26 Online advertisement million on the day, beating Kung Fu Panda 3’s previous Advertising your products at www.vientiane- record. The animation has times.org.la will bring benefits to your com- crossed nearly US$90 million pany. Customers around the world will ap- the ninth day of its release in the country. preciate the quality of your products via the China leads the overseas Vientiane Times website. For more information market while others are also performing strongly including France, Russia and South Korea. The word of mouth and rating on Douban portal have been both extraordinary in the Chinese please contact: Tel: 336042, 336048 market, which makes it work for audiences of all ages. Fax: 336041, Email: [email protected] The next Hollywood blockbusters coming to China is The Revenant next Friday, followed by Batman V Superman: Dawn Of Justice on 25th this month. 20 Tuesday March 15, 2016 Classified Vientiane Times

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RentsBuy Co., Ltd is a leading professional real estate Lao People’s Democratic Republic Peace Independence Democracy Unity Prosperity company offering;house, land, apartment, office, RE- ADVERTISEMENT OF REQUEST FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST warehouse, business for rent /for sale and Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry property valuation throughout Lao PDR. Department of Forestry Dongpainar Rd., Ban Phontan, Saysetta Selection of Individual Consultant: National Finance Management Consultant (C07.3) District,Sisattanak, Vientiane SCALING UP PARTICIPATORY SUSTAINABLE FOREST MANAGEMENT PROJECT (SUPSFM) Office mobile: 021 262319/20, 020 23333347, 77600059 The Government of Lao PDR (GOL) in partnership with the International Development Association of the World Bank (IDA, WB), the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland (MFAF), www.RentsBuy.com email: [email protected] and the Forest Investment Program of the Carbon Investment Fund (FIP, CIF) is implementing the Scaling Up Participatory Sustainable Forest Management Project (SUPSFM) covering 51 PFAs in 13 Southern, Central, and Northern Provinces of Lao PDR. To assist the implementation of the SUPSFM project, it is intended that part of the proceeds of World Bank Grant will be applied to eligible payments for recruitment of National Finance Management Consultant for

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the SUPSFM - National Project Coordinator. to provincial and district project offices and will be based in the provinces as endorsed by An Individual National Consultant will be selected in accordance with the procedures set out in the World Bank’s Guidelines: Selection and Employment of Consultants by Bank Borrowers, dated January 2011. Selection criteria are:

• Bachelor’s degree in relevant field such as accounting and finance. Post graduate qualification in relevant field e.g. Master Degree in finance and accounting; local or international professional accounting qualifications are highly desirable. • A sound knowledge in accounting and financial reporting, including at least 5 years of professional experience in accounting or financial management. Able to produce financial reports and financial statements. • Experienceaccounting softwarewith the Worldis an advantage. Bank projects or other major donors are an advantage. • Good PC/systems literacy, including strong Excel skills. Skills in using computerized

• Fluencywork with in aLao range and of English agencies (strong at national, written provincial, and spoken and skills). local level. • Good understanding of Government institutional and budgetary structures and ability to spirit. • Reliable, independent and dynamic worker with high social competence and good team

•Interested Good interpersonal Individual consultant skills and resultmay obtain orientation. further information from Term of Reference at the address: SUPSFM Project, Department of Forestry, That Dam Block, Chao Anou Road, Vientiane Capital, Lao PDR, and Tel & Fax: 856 21 215002, 856 21 215723, E-mail: bounpone. [email protected], cc to [email protected] from 08:00 to 16:00 hours (Standard Lao PDR time).

to perform the service (CV with academic background, experience in similar assignment, Interestedknowledge Individualof local condition, Consultants (if any must etc). provide Interested information Individual indicating Consultants they shall are indicatedqualified later than March 30, 2016 to the address below: in which province she/he willing to stay. Expression of Interest (EOI) must be submitted not Attention: Mr. Bounpone Sengthong National Project Coordinator, SUPSFM Department of Forestry, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry P.O. Box 2932, Vientiane, Lao People’s Democratic Republic

E - mail: [email protected], cc to [email protected] Tel/fax: + 856 21215002 Vientiane Times Tuesday March 15, 2016 Classified 21

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Announcement The book “40 Years of the Lao PDR” in two languages - Lao and English - is now available at the Vientiane Times office. The book consists of 213 pages and is divided into three parts: Laos in Brief; Achievements in National Protection and Development; and Vision of the Lao PDR.

Information on all sectors of national socio-economic development, national protection and foreign policy as well as international cooperation of the Lao PDR are included in the book.

The video DVD and CD of the “40 Years of the Lao PDR are also available here. In addition, the media directory book consisting of the history, telephone numbers, emails and website addresses of all Lao media organisations published in the Lao PDR is also available here. These books would make interesting gifts for your friends. For more information call: 021 336042-8. 22 Tuesday March 15, 2016 Vientiane Times What’s On “Homes for the Spirits” exhibition Thakhaek Dance Art Exhibition Ma Te Sai homewares Thakhaek Dance Competition 2016 The 10th Lao Women’s Art Exhibition takes place this month. presents a product When: March 11-18 will feature a B-Boy battle and school exhibition. Come and see Where: National Institute of Fine Arts, Chao Anouvong Road Ken Yarborough and his dance contest. For more information call: 021 212463, 021 314776 wonderful collection of spirit When: March 25, 3-7pm, free entry houses, showing for the first time in Vientiane. Where: Thakhaek stadium, Buddha image consecration When: March 18-23, 10 am-6 pm Khammuan province. For more Where: i:cat Gallery, Simeuang village, Setthathirath Road, information call 020 5226 3111 Devotees are invited to attend a Buddha Vientiane image consecration ceremony. The Porn Beepha ritual will start on March 15. Secondhand Goods Market Fundraising exhibition Where: Vat Sixomxeun, for disabled women Nongbuathongneua village, The Women’s International Group is holding Sikhottabong district. a secondhand market, including homemade goods. Products made When: Friday March 18 at 7pm. When: Sunday March 20, 4-7pm by the Lao For more information call 030 5848579; Where: In front of Vientiane Centre on Disabled Women’s 020 5582 4909. Khouvieng Road Development Fee for a stall space: 80,000 kip basic stall, Centre on display 200,000 kip with table and 2 chairs as well as designer Fashion Design Contest Call 020 5570 6025 fashions. The final Seeking Best Lao Young Designer 2016 for Pi Mai Lao (Lao New day will feature a Year). Lao designers aged 18 to 25 are encouraged to enter the fashion show. 4th Asia Press Photo Contest competition. Where: Landmark Mekong Riverside Hotel, 2nd floor, Vientiane Where: Entries must be submitted to Lao Fashion Week “Changing Asia” is the theme of the 4th Asia Press Photo Contest Lobby Secretariat Office, House No. 99/01, Nam Phou Square, PO Box organised by Asia News Network and the China Daily. March 8-31 When: 8044, Vientiane. There are eight categories in the contest: Sports News, General For more information contact: 02022422252 News, Economics, Science & Technology, Portraits, Daily Life, Arts When: March 30. and Entertainment, Sports, and Nature and the Environment. For more information call: 021 254808 (office hours), Fax: 021 The contest is open to professional photojournalists and 254809, freelancers. Submission date is until the end of March. E-mail: [email protected] or Facebook: There is one gold prize award in each category and 100 honorary University Job Fair LaoFashionWeek. prizes. Gold Prizes (8): A cash sum of RMB 5,000 yuan (US$750) after The Faculty of Economics and taxes and a certificate for each winner. The winning photos will Business Administration at the AFC Cup 2016 be featured in the 2015 Changing Asia photo book and will also National University of Laos is feature in exhibitions. holding its annual job fair. Lao Premier League Champions 2015 Lao Toyota FC’s Honorary Prizes (100): A cash sum of RMB 500 yuan (US$75) When: March 25 upcoming AFC Cup matches: and a certificate. Selected photos will be featured in the 2015 When: Meeting Hall of the March 16 JOHOR DARUL TA’ZIM from Malaysia VS Lao Changing Asia photo book and exhibitions. Faculty of Economics and For more information please visit http://www.asianewsphoto.com/ Toyota FC (Away) Business Administration Web_ENG/Eng.html April 13 Lao Toyota FC VS JOHOR DARUL TA’ZIM from Malaysia (Lao National Studium Km 16) Visit the Lao People’s Army Museum April 27 JSW BENGALURU FC from India VS Lao Toyota FC (Away) Community members and tourists are invited to visit the Lao May 11 Lao Toyota FC VS AYEYAWADY UNITED from People’s Army Museum to learn about past battles, the brave Art exhibition Myanmar (Lao National Studium Km 16) acts of Lao soldiers, national defence and the development of the army. Maison de la Culture is holding The museum features display weapons during the war time an exhibition by Mr Sompaseuth Book launch and exhibition and information about the birthplace of the Lao People’s Chounlamany from the USA and Mr Army and its history, as well as detailed accounts of battles When: Opening reception on February 26. Exhibition runs until Phonepaseuth Vannalathsamy from against foreign invaders. Visitors will learn about the victories April 10, entrance free of the Lao military and people in each period of the revolution, Luang Prabang province. Where: T’Shop Lai Gallery, opposite Vat Inpaeng, Vientiane. and can view pictures of the enemies who destroyed parts of Mr Sompaseuth will display 28 paintings, The book is available at the T’Shop Lai Gallery, Couleur d’Asie, the country and oppressed ethnic groups. while Mr Phonepaseuth exhibited his i:cat Gallery, Monument Books. The museum also details the growth and expansion of the embroidery only on the opening day. army after the liberation of the country since 1975. There will also be an auction of paintings starting on March 10 When: Open daily from 8.30am-11.30am and 1.30pm-4pm. Where: Kaysone Phomvihane Road near That Luang and ending on March 15 at 5pm. Fashion Design Contest esplanade in Nongsangthor village, Xaysettha district, When: March 10-31. Vientiane. Where: Maison de la Culture, Naxay village, Xaysettha district, Seeking Best Lao Young Designer 2016 for Pi Mai Lao (Lao New For more information contact: 021 900 662 Vientiane. Year). Lao designers aged 18 to 25 are encouraged to enter the competition. Lao Supermodel 2016 Where: Entries must be submitted to Lao Fashion Week Free Rescue Services Secretariat Office, House No. 99/01, Nam Phou Square, PO Box Three free rescue teams are available on 24 hour Calling young men and women, as well as children, to enter the 8044, Vientiane. standby in Vientiane : Lao Supermodel Contest. When: March 30. 1. Lao Red Cross is providing free emergency Conditions: For more information call: 021 254808 (office hours), Fax: 021 assistance, including at road accidents, for - Males must be aged 18-28, at least 1.70m tall and have 254809, members of the public who need help. For more completed high school E-mail: [email protected] or Facebook: information call: 020 59966111 - Females must be aged 18-25, at least 1.65m tall and have LaoFashionWeek. Where: Xiengyeun village, Chanthabouly district, completed high school Vientiane. - Children, aged 6-10. 2. People who need help after a road accident or Applications open until March 30. in any other situation where there is danger can When: contact the Rescue Hotline Number of the Foundation Where: Apply at LT Company, Phonxay village, Xaysettha Job Fair for Assisting the Poor People of Laos, Tel: 1623 district. For more information: 020 59581881 Ms Nhui, or 020 2247 9479 Where: The Rescue Centre is located at Nonghay Come along and apply for a village, Hadxaifong district, in front of Nonghay Ms Ting job. temple, on Kamphaengmeuang Road. www.facebook.com/lao super model 2016 3. People who need help after a road accident or When: March 19. From 9am other urgent assistance, please call the rescue The Vientiane Times welcomes notices from members to 6pm Where: Crowne Plaza Hotel hotline number of the Association of Voluntary of the public for announcement on this page. Any Rescue of Vientiane Tel: 1624 For more information please Where: The Association of Voluntary Rescue events or functions open to the general public are contact 030 908 2386 of Vientiane is located in Nongsangthor village, suitable for publishing. Xaysettha district. Contact: [email protected] Vientiane Times Tuesday March 15, 2016 Sports 23 Martial arts teams showcase their skills

Sangkhomsay Hikihara, government officials, Office Mr Phongsavath Boupha Bubphanouvong teachers and spectators. played a hands-on role by giving Speaking at the opening a karate demonstration. More than 200 judo, karatedo, ceremony, Mr Hikihara said Every year, judo and karatedo aikido and kendo fighters that in recent years an increasing federations stage national level in the junior, national and number of young Lao people tournaments which helps fighters senior categories gathered to were interested in practicing hone their skills with the aim of demonstrate their skills at the these martial arts. The level of lifting them up to the level of their 14th Japanese Martial Arts Lao fighters’ skills was also counterparts in neighbouring Demonstration on Saturday in rising as shown by performances countries. Vientiane. at international tournaments such In 2011, the Lao judo team The event was organised as the SEA Games. won one gold, two silver and one by the Japanese Embassy to Exciting performances bronze medal at the 26th SEA Laos, in cooperation with the by highly skilled fighters had Games in Indonesia. Lao Football Federation Acting President Mr Pasatxay Philaphandeth (left) and TV Lao President Dr Japan International Cooperation inspired many young people and At the 16th Asean University Hongkham Souvannavong display the broadcasting contract. Agency (JICA) Laos office contributed to a further rise in the Games in Vientiane in 2012, the and the Ministry of Education number of those participating in Lao judo team won three gold, and Sports, at Lao-Japan Budo Budo (Japanese martial arts), he five silver and seven bronze Centre. added. medals, and the karatedo team TV Lao to broadcast Lao Fighters from Lao Judo The Japanese Embassy won three gold, two silver and Federation, Karatedo Federation, has organised demonstrations five bronze medals at the games. Premier League games the Lao National Aikido Club and each year since 2005 which At the 27th SEA Games in the Lao Kendo Club performed gives fighters the opportunity to Myanmar in 2013, the Lao judo Sonelamphanh & Visith high quality signal such as HD. At the press conference, in front of a large audience. highlight their acquired skills and team won one gold and three In addition, TV Lao will send LFF Acting President Mr The demonstration was to motivate themselves further. bronze medals. The Lao karatedo A press conference and signing the tapes of each match to the LFF Pasatxay said football had attended by President of the Lao- In Saturday’s demonstration, team won four bronze medals at ceremony between TV Lao and and produce match highlights for become the most popular sport Japan Friendship Association Japanese masters also gave an the 26th SEA Games in 2011, and the Lao Football Federation for YouTube to run in approximately in Laos and the Federation Dr Ponemek Dalaloy, Japanese excellent display of martial arts hope to improve on their medal the television broadcasting of the two-minute segments. It will also wanted high quality broadcasts Ambassador to Laos Mr Takeshi while Minister to the President’s haul in the upcoming Games. Lao Premier League 2016 took produce televison programmes to attract more fans. He believed place at the Landmark hotel in that analyse each team and some TV Lao was the right choice Vientiane recently. outstanding players before and because they had experience in The event was organised after matches, for a period of 60 broadcasting local, regional and by TV Lao and attended by minutes. TV Lao will also update international games. the General Secretary of the and report the results of all games He congratulated and Lao Football Federation Dr every week. thanked TV Lao for responding Xaybandith Rasphone, Vice TV Lao is now looking for to this important work and President of the Lao Football partnership sponsors to finance believed the company would Federation Mr Khamphay the broadcasts. The matches broadcast good programmes and Paserth, and the President will take place at the provincial provide lots of useful information of TV Lao Dr Hongkham stadium because the provinces about the Lao Premier League. Souvannavong. need funding to rent a signal Dr Hongkham said he was The contract was signed cable from a private company very happy that his company by the Acting President of the to send to its main station for was trusted by the LFF and had Lao Football Federation, Mr broadcasting. again been assigned to broadcast Pasatxay Philaphandeth, and This matter has been Lao Premier League matches and the President of TV Lao, Dr discussed by TV Lao and the said TV Lao was ready to rise to Hongkham Souvannavong. LFF. If enough sponsors can the occasion. Under the agreement, the Lao be found to support games in He thanked the LFF for Officials and teams gather during the opening ceremony of the martial arts demonstration at the Lao- Football Federation (LFF) has the provinces, these will be placing confidence in TV Lao to Japan Budo Centre in Vientiane. contracted TV Lao to broadcast broadcast too. broadcast the matches. Lao Premier League matches for TV Lao has occasionally “However, we cannot avoid three seasons from 2016-2018. broadcast Lao Premier League all problems and to ensure that Bayern, Juventus clash in TV Lao will transmit live matches but the programmes everything runs smoothly both broadcasts of at least 52 matches, recently stopped. TV Lao and the LFF should work Champions League; Barca confident two times a week, and tape However, realising the together to ensure high quality 48 matches depending on the importance of promoting Lao broadcasts and success. Finally, similarly comfortable position situation such as place and time. sports and the Lao Premier I would like to invite the public ahead after beating Dynamo TV Lao is responsible for 100 League, TV Lao intends to to be partnership sponsors with Kiev 3-1 away in their last-16 matches a season and will use a resume broadcasts. us,” he added. first leg, while Atletico Madrid and PSV Eindhoven are scoreless ahead of Tuesday’s other game. Braehmer beats Gutknecht on Bayern hopes to finish the job at home after conceding late goals to Juventus and allowing points again to retain WBA belt the two-time champion back in the tie. NEUBRANDENBURG, Bayern has won its last three Germany (AP) -- Juergen games at home against Italian Braehmer defeated fellow sides, and has looked unstoppable German Eduard Gutknecht by this season in Munich, winning unanimous decision for the its three group games against second time to retain his WBA Dinamo Zagreb, Arsenal and light heavyweight title on Olympiakos by an aggregate Saturday night. score of 14-1. The judges awarded it Pep Guardiola’s side warmed 116-111, 116-111 and 118- up for Juve’s visit with a 5-0 110 in favor of the 37-year-old win over Werder Bremen on southpaw, who was clearly better Bayern’s Arjen Robben is tackled by Juventus’ Patrice Evra during the Champions League, round of 16, first-leg match between at the Saturday, when Arjen Robben in the earlier rounds and was then Juventus stadium in Turin, Italy on February 23. --Photo AP had a rest and Mario Goetze able to withstand a spirited fight- made his comeback after five back from the challenger. BERLIN (AP) -- The last four leader’s hopes for Wednesday’s months out with a thigh injury. “It was fine for the first six Champions League quarterfinal second leg in Munich. Juve defeated Sassuolo 1-0 at rounds, I was clearly in control, Title-defender Juergen Braehmer of Germany (right) punches spots are up for grabs this week Spanish league leader home on Friday, the side’s 10th but then from the sixth or seventh challenger Eduard Gutknecht during the WBA light heavyweight title with Barcelona and Manchester Barcelona holds a 2-0 lead over consecutive league game without I felt a pain in my left hand and bout in Neubrandenburg, Germany. --Photo AP City both well-placed, while a Arsenal, which needs to get over conceding. Barcelona is bidding you know how it is, you don’t European heavyweight will head the disappointment of Sunday’s for its 10th straight win at home want to take any risks. The after a number of warnings. (37 KOs) after making the sixth for the exit after Bayern Munich FA Cup exit to Watford, the 2-1 in the Champions League on opponent senses that too,” said “Perhaps I was over- defense of the vacant title he won plays Juventus. defeat at home ending its bid to Wednesday. Braehmer, who had been landing motivated for the first four by defeating Marcus Oliveira in Five-time champion Bayern win the trophy for a third straight Even a draw at the Camp the cleaner blows. rounds, I went in too eagerly December 2013. He had been was looking certain to advance year. Nou, where it hasn’t lost in more Braehmer had a cut above and paid the price,” Gutknecht due to fight Thomas Oosthuizen from the Round of 16 with a Barcelona hasn’t lost in a than a year, will be enough to his left eye in the ninth round said. “Juergen is a clever boxer but the South African pulled out. two-goal lead during the first total of 37 games straight across keep the Catalan club on track from a clash of heads. The blood and he used it to his advantage. The Kazakhstan-born leg in Turin, only for late goals all competitions, a Spanish to become the first side to defend encouraged Gutknecht, who There was too much for me to Gutknecht dropped to 29-4-1 from Paulo Dybala and Stefano record, and can count on home the Champions League since the improved but his punches were make up. I’m sorry I couldn’t (12 KOs). Gutknecht also lost Sturaro to earn Juventus a 2-2 support on Wednesday. old European Cup was given a wild or delivered close in, and he manage it but I gave it my all.” on points to Braehmer in Berlin draw and revive the Italian league Manchester City is in a shake-up in 1992-93. had a point deducted in the 10th Braehmer improved to 48-2 in 2013. Tuesday24 March 15, 2016 Vientiane Times Sports NUOL selects top athletes for Asean University Games

A female NUOL sepak takraw player (left) kicks out against a player from a state college team in the final round of the women’s team event at Dongdok campus on Monday.

Sangkhomsay will compete in the men’s final round. Bubphanouvong football, basketball, volleyball, In the results of the 1st petanque, archery, rugby, sepak university games in Vientiane on fter successfully hosting takraw, table tennis, pencak silat, Monday morning the NUOL’s the 1st Lao University and track and field events at the sporting teams finished in first AGames in Vientiane games in Singapore. place with 31 gold, 24 silver and from March 5-15, the National At the indoor stadium at 42 bronze medals. University of Laos (NUOL) Dongdok campus on Monday, The Health Sciences chose the nation’s best student the Lao Sepak Takraw University finished in second athletes to represent Laos at Federation was able to select the place with 16 gold, 13 silver and the Asean University Games in best men’s and women’s players 8 bronze medals and the Police Singapore in June. from the finals competition to Academy team finished in third During the university games, represent Laos at the upcoming place with 14 gold, 10 silver and the NUOL was able to identify Asean University Games. 12 bronze medals. and select the best athletes from In the final round of the The NUOL’s sporting universities and academies in women’s team event, the NUOL team competed at the Asean Laos. sepak takraw team was able to University Games in Indonesia After selection, the NUOL defeat the women’s team from in December 2014 and the intends to continue to train the a government college 2-0. NUOL also hosted the 16th athletes recruited in the hope of Meanwhile Savannakhet Asean University Games in winning medals at the Singapore University’s men’s sepak 2012, when its students won games. takraw team beat Champassak 32 gold, 35 silver and 46 The NUOL’s best athletes University 2-0 in the men’s bronze medals.