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Home , Lamphun, Thoulakhom District, Vientiane, Vientiane Province, Xaythany District

Times The First National English Language Newspaper WEDNESDAY JUNE 21, 2017 ISSUE 141 4500 kip plans to sign PM directs agro development electricity accord with and projects in Times Reporters

Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith and other senior government officials yesterday visited Vientiane province as the government aims to encourage more effective livestock breeding and organic vegetable projects in the province. A s p a r t o f t h e g o v e r n m e n t ’s e f f o r t to alleviate poverty through sustainable rural development, several agricultural and cattle (The Nation/ be held in between feeding projects are now ANN) - Thailand is preparing September 17 and 22. currently being carried out to sign a tripartite electricity- According to Areepong, in the province. trading agreement with two Thailand has usually signed Various agriculture neighbouring countries at the bilateral contracts in terms pilot projects are based upcoming Asean Ministers of of electricity deals. But this on the Korean model of Energy Meeting. planned agreement will S a e m a u l U n d o n g , a E n e r g y M i n i s t r y involve Thailand and two participatory approach to p e r m a n e n t s e c r e t a r y other nations. rural community-building Areepong Bhoocha-Oom said “Laos will generate and introduced in the 1970s. the agreement would pave the sell electricity to Malaysia S a e m a u l U n d o n g , way for the Laos-Thailand- under the agreement. Laos a Korea Institute for PM Thongloun examines a newly-fnished woven rice basket at Nayang village, Phonhong Malaysia electricity deal, will get paid for electricity CONTINUED PAGE 3 district, Vientiane province yesterday. enabling the Asean Power while Thailand will get paid Grid to materialise. for its transmission,” he said. “The agreement will be He added that in the future, Ministry orders action to address land disputes, for the sale and purchase of Malaysia might consider electricity between Laos and selling to some Malaysia, using Thailand’s of the electricity it acquired unlawful land occupation transmission system. We from Laos. Souksakhone Vaenkeo to investigate and address the concessions and the transfer where their old offces were will be the link for the two He said he hoped that this issues. of land use rights in various located, generally closer to neighbours,” he said. “The power-grid integration by The Ministry of Natural Deputy Director General cases after learning these the city centre. The inspection volume of electricity involved Thailand, Malaysia and Laos Resources and Environment of the Ministry's Land issues had been causal factors came as reports emerged that is 100 megawatts.” would encourage other Asean has ordered provincial and Administration Department in disputed cases emerging in many projects implemented The concept of an Asean nations to head in the same district line departments to Mr Anothai Chanthalasy told recent years. under the turning-asset-into- Power Grid was frst foated at direction. take action to address land Vientiane Times yesterday The committee will also capital scheme were not an informal Asean summit in He said there was a disputes, unlawful land that the taskforce committee inspect the implementation properly included in relevant late 1997. Areepong said this possibility of Thailand occupation and related issues. was required to conclude of the government's policy to socio-economic development upcoming agreement could becoming an electricity- The order came as their works and report their turn assets into capital, which plans thus were not approved make the grid a reality. transmission hub, because increasing numbers of cases outcomes to the government has seen state departments by the National Assembly. The signing of the historic has invested in many involving land issues have by October. approaching investors to Additionally, many of agreement is set to take place hydroelectric dams in Laos emerged in recent years It was reported previously build new offces for them in these projects did not undergo at the Asean Ministers of and and has prompting the government to that the government has told suburban areas in exchange open bidding processes in Energy Meeting, which will CONTINUED PAGE 3 form a taskforce committee the committee to inspect land for usage of the state lands CONTINUED PAGE 3 2 Home news Wednesday June 21, 2017 Vientiane Times Travel industry professionals share New water supply operations, experiences on sustainable tourism maintenance pose national challenge Times Reporters “ T h e ‘ d i s t r i b u t e d , inclusive’ model maximised Times Reporters Travel and tourism industry exposure to the talent in professionals exchanged both the host and delegate T h e o p e r a t i o n a n d lessons and experiences c o m m u n i t i e s , a n d maintenance of new as well as to promote competitive, was a brave, novel and existing water supply systems inclusive, and sustainable constructive initiative, of still poses a major challenge tourism at the recent 2017 beneft to many. Combined for the water sector in Laos. Tourism Forum with the online platform In order to achieve the (MTF 2017). developed for Mekong government target of 80 Topics discussed at Tourism, the forum has set a percent of water supply the forum included child new standard for destination coverage in urban areas in protection, heritage management organisations 2020 and ‘water for all’ in the preservation, green urban to follow” she said. SDGs by 2030, water supply development, women’s Director of Sales & development in small towns Lao and Japanese offcials discuss the water supply sector. empowerment, human Marketing at Mekong was essential. resource development, Cruises, Ms Duanratchada T h i s i n f o r m a t i o n suitable for small towns in equipment should be operated maintenance points in rapid wildlife protection, Chimphalee said, “Being was stressed during the Laos because the essential safely and stably with the sand filtration treatment, community-based tourism, able to discuss the issues Project MaWaSU National equipment can be prepared ability to respond to abnormal slow sand fltration treatment, youth tourism, sustainable of river-based tourism right Dissemination Workshop on onsite. situations by using manuals cost-effective and safe non- investment, and emerging on a river cruise boat on the Operation and Maintenance in An ecological purifcation and keeping records. chemical water production m a r k e t s , a c c o r d i n g Mekong River, made the Water Treatment Plants held system has been introduced “ M a i n t e n a n c e methods and other related t o M e k o n g To u r i s m debate not only so much recently in at the Champhone water management is to prevent issues were discussed. Coordinating Offce. more relevant and engaging, province. treatment plant in Champhone equipment failure in advance The use of technology in 24 The Mekong Tourism but also offered delegates The meeting was attended district, province for stable water supply through hour operational monitoring Forum 2017 was hosted a chance to experience by the Ministry of Public where slow sand fltering uses implementation of daily to reduce maintenance was by the Luang Prabang tourism products away from Works and Transport’s mechanical sieving by sand inspection, regular inspection suitable for small towns in province and the Ministry the traditional meeting room Director General of Water to provide clean water for and regular maintenance,” Laos, the meeting heard. of Information, Culture setting”. Supply Department, JICA public use. Mr Fukushima added, who is The meeting is part of the and Tourism from June “We were very pleased experts and representatives Meanwhile, Director of supporting the establishment five-year MaWaSU project 5-9 in collaboration with to be part of the MTF from provincial water supply Water Quality Management of model water treatment from August 2012 to August the Mekong Tourism 2017 hosting community. state enterprises. Centre of Saitama Prefecture, plants in Vientiane plus Luang 2017, aiming to strengthen Coordinating Office. The This new and innovative During the meeting Lao , Mr Hisasi Fukushima Prabang and Khammuan the management capacity theme of the 2017 forum approach may open up and Japanese offcials heard noted that “Operational provinces through the Japan of the government in the was: ‘Prosper with Purpose’ future opportunities for about ecological purifcation management is to manage International Cooperation water supply sector and Water and this was reflected by collaboration among the systems such as rapid sand water quantity, water pressure Agency (JICA) Partnership Supply State Enterprises for the event’s strong focus travel industry in Luang filtration treatment and and water quality”. Programme. sustainable and stable water on sustainability and Prabang,” Ms Duanratchada membrane fltration treatment For effcient operation, Mr During the meeting supply now and into the engagement. added. which have been found to be Fukushima highlighted that important operational and future. The forum demonstrated t h a t s m a l l e r t o w n s without large conference Northern Thai expo pushes SME support, cross-border enterprise halls can innovatively host world-class events. Souknilundon Director of CLMV countries,” Mr Suthon Luang Prabang’s historic Southivongnorath Provincial Offce of Tourism said. district was transformed and Sports Mr Suthon He said the upper northern into the venue, where Organisers of an expo Wichairat said there will be region of Thailand had delegates joined highly focusing on products and various activities held at the benefted from the great merit relevant thematic sessions services from the northern Lanna Expo 2017, aiming of His Majesty's boundless moderated by subject parts of Thailand held a press to follow in His Majesty and gracious kindness in matter experts, and these conference in Vientiane King Bhumibol Adulyadej's supporting a revival of the were aligned to the United yesterday to promote business footsteps and refecting the community's livelihood and Nations International Year cooperation from the region lifestyles, identity, traditions creation of jobs for villagers of Sustainability Tourism for entrepreneurs in Laos as and culture of Thailand’s through various royal projects. for Development. well as Cambodia, upper northern provinces. Participants at Lanna Expo “This event was truly and (CLMV) “We are focusing on 2017 are eager to continue to designed by the industry countries. SME products via the motto realise the wishes of the late for the industry” according The expo in Chiang Mai, "Sufficiency Economy: monarch and support the Mr Suthon Wichairat (left) and Mr Puripan Bunnag respond to the Executive Director Thailand from June 23-July Following His Majesty's principle of sufficiency to to media questions during the press conference in Vientiane. of the Mekong Tourism 2 will focus on showcasing Footsteps", based on drive the economy, increase Coordinating Office, Mr goods and services from Sustainable Development,” job creation opportunities gives an opportunity to the opportunities to expand Jens Thraenhart. Thailand’s upper northern Mr Suthon said. and generate income for public and interested business markets in the CLMV region The keynote speaker at provinces including Chiang On a trip to Vietnam and communities. operators to gain access to and beyond. the forum was Ms Anna Mai, , and Laos, he invited all tourists Director of Domestic high quality locally produced Outstanding products of Pollock, the UK-based Mae Hong Son provinces. as well as representatives Meetings, Incentives, goods. It is also the frst step for entrepreneurs of the upper founder of Conscious Travel The organisers of Lanna of businesses in Laos and Conventions and Exhibitions many regional entrepreneurs northern region will also be and she remarked that, “It Expo 2017 told local press Vietnam to visit the expo department Mr Puripan to better understand the needs exhibited in Vietnam and was both an honour and that the expo this year will to strengthen cooperation Bunnag said CLMV countries of the market, to develop their Laos in order to share fne art delight to participate in not only promote local between Thailand and its would get benefts from the products and services as well handicrafts, modern health and the 2017 Mekong Tourism products, tourism and other CLMV neighbours. event as those businesses as expand their international beauty products, agricultural Forum, one of the best activities, but it will also help “We already actively will have the opportunity to customer base. produce and processed foods tourism conferences I have to promote businesses in the promote these in the country connect and make deals for The expo is sponsored of high standard and assured ever attended, setting a region to share, exchange and so now we continue to business and trade. by the Thailand Convention quality infused with the charm new standard in conference cooperate with each other for promote them across the He said the Lanna Expo and Exhibition Bureau which of the region’s fne traditions delivery”. future cooperation. region, in particular, the 2017 is a trading platform that is continuously seeking and hospitality.

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Times Reporters mapping. from Thailand and their I t a l s o b e n e f i t s development partners. Government and private communication, sharing The purpose is to sector representatives of and collaboration between raise understanding and Laos and Thailand have government and private exchange of information exchanged information sectors, offcials in charge development on “one map on using a geographic informed the meeting held one community one nation,” information system (GIS) yesterday in Vientiane. to build online systems for to build a single map for Minister of Science closer integration between improved natural resources and Technology, Prof Dr government and private management. Boviengkham Vongdara sectors. One map via geographic c h a i r e d t h e m e e t i n g The meeting highlighted information system will organised by Technology the role of GIS to enable benefit natural resources and Innovation Department everyone to easily discover, m a n a g e m e n t w h i l e u n d e r M i n i s t r y o f use and share maps from saving time and budget Science and Technology, any device, anywhere and resources for investment Thepsymeuang Trading anytime. on information surveys and Company, companies T h e b e n e f i t s o f a single shared map include Tourism offcials from the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism pose together at authoritative data, high- the meeting in Vientiane on Tuesday. quality mapping, improved visualisations, spatial Tourism offcials share experiences analysis and models and rich applications. It also allows greater for sector’s development sharing and collaboration for government operation Times Reporters and Vietnam, the main G e n e r a l o f To u r i s m centres and clarifies sources of foreign visitors to Marketing Department Mr administrative boundaries, Tourism offcials of Ministry Laos, dropped signifcantly Sounh Manivong, Deputy transportation, hydrology, of Information, Culture by an average of almost 50 Director General of Tourism land parcels, forest and Tourism met yesterday percent. Development Department boundaries and other to go through the Asean However, the number Ms Phonemaly Inthaphom, of tourists from , R e l a t e d P r o g r a m m e Participants join the meeting yesterday. topographic features. tourism strategic plan 2016- 2025 and discuss tourism Germany, Russia and Italy Director Dr Hartmut Janus priorities for Laos, with has increased, although only and tourism offcials. the aim of attracting more by a small amount. The purpose of the one Ministry orders action...FROM PAGE 1 visitors to the country. To develop and upgrade day meeting was for Lao The tourism sector is the tourism sector in Laos, tourism offcials to know the violation of the relevant will carry out a comprehensive address, the officials are facing challenges after the tourism officials of the direction of Asean tourism regulations. inspection into land issues called upon to report to the number of foreign tourists Ministry of Information, work from 2016 to 2025. Additionally, Prime including the inspection Ministry of Natural Resources visiting Laos dropped for Culture and Tourism The meeting also allowed Minister Thongloun Sisoulith of land registrations," Mr and Environment or higher the frst time in 2016. discussed the Asean tourism officials to share ideas to said recently that a number Anothai said. authorities to seek guidance Last year, just over 4.23 strategic plan 2016-2025 improve development and of fake documents had been In his notice issued late and solutions. million foreign visitors and developed priorities for capacity building on Lao produced claiming usage last month, Mr Sommad Those wanting to submit came to the country - a drop the sector in Laos. tourism products, and to rights of state lands by various recommended local people petitions concerning land of 10 percent compared The dissemination build links with Asean individuals and organisations. facing land disputes disputes to the Ministry's Land to 2015, according to workshop on the Asean countries. The inspection will also approach district offces in Department directly can do so statistics supplied by the tourism strategic plan The meeting helped find out if local people’s charge to seek solutions in through its reception desk, its Tourism Development 2016-2025 for Ministry tourism offcials understand lands have been occupied line with the relevant laws petition box or through the Department of the Ministry of Information, Culture the Asean tourism strategic unlawfully as well cases of and regulations. ministry's hotline No 1514. of Information, Culture and Tourism took place plan and share new ideas the inappropriate occupation T h e m i n i s t e r a l s o Mr Sommad pledged that and Tourism. in Vientiane and was for developing the sector of proximate state lands called for the district and the Ministry would work with Visitors from Thailand attended by Director in Laos. by members of such provincial authorities to local concerned authorities to communities. collate submissions made address the submitted issues. Mr Anothai said Minister by respondents and take He also told the provincial of Natural Resources and appropriate actions to address Natural Resources and PM directs agro... FROM PAGE 1 Environment, Mr Sommad the particulars of respective Environment departments Pholsena issued several notices cases based on the law. to report progress made in Rural Development, is government offcials visited short visit was made to giving guidance on how best For those issues which addressing identified land- supporting an integrated the Lao PDR Energy a rattan furniture factory to take actions to address these district and provincial related issues to the ministry rural development project, Efficient Data Centre in Viengkham district issues."Authorities in charge departments are unable to on a regular basis. which is linked to the supported by the government and handicraft groups in overall initiative and Lao of Japan, established under Nayang village, Phonhong rural development policy. the Ministry of Science and district, Vientiane province Thailand plans to sign... FROM PAGE 1 Prior to departing for Technology. which aim to promote local Vientiane province, PM Shortly after visiting businesses and encourage approached Thailand about Egat International. in favour of the dam, the Thongloun made a visit several sites in Vientiane, improvements to household transmission services. “We believe we can hydropower plant in the to the Saemaul Training PM Thongloun also made incomes. “This presents good work together in many more Upper Salween River will Centre in , his way to Hadxay village At Aekxang village in opportunities for us. Electricity projects in the future. We are take off with production Vientiane to hear about in , Phonhong district, Vientiane from Laos and Cambodia can now negotiating on building capacity of 7,000MW. It is progress of its construction Vientiane province where the province, a similar project be sold to other nations via a coal-fired power plant in expected to be able to generate which is now over 90 Saemaul Undong initiative to boost integrated rural our transmission system, if Koh Kong,” a province in electricity for distribution by percent complete. is being implemented in development is also being we can connect transmission southwestern Cambodia, either 2028 or 2029.Areepong The centre will aim Laos by an INGO. implemented. lines with Cambodia too. Areepong said. disclosed that Thailand at enhancing capacities In the village, the project Ongoing activities at this As of now, we have already He is also optimistic about had conducted a study on of officials and village has been helping farmers village include improvements connected the lines with negotiations with Myanmar connecting transmission leaders on the Saemaul to grow organic vegetables to infrastructure, the Laos,” Areepong said. He on a plan to develop the Man lines to Myanmar’s Dawei Undong approach, and in a shade house along promotion of a shade house said Thailand and Cambodia Tong Dam. “This dam project Industrial Estate. “The Energy training of farmers through with infrastructure and organic vegetable project as had planned a collaborative will benefit both sides. We Ministry has raised this point demonstration farms. environment improvements well as building a community project on electric and water both need electricity. So we with Myanmar. If it wants T h e c e n t r e w a s since 2009. fresh market. development. Known as expect the negotiations to electricity from Laos, we can established under the I n a d d i t i o n , P M During his site visit the the Stung Nam hydropower conclude well before the end facilitate the transmission Ministry of Agriculture Thongloun’s government Prime Minister called on project, it is the frst concrete of this year,” he said. via Kanchanaburi province,” and Forestry, with support delegation visited a local Vientiane province move since the two countries Thailand plans to invest he said. Areepong said that from the government of the cattle breeding project authorities and other parties signed a memorandum of in three power plants in although Thailand would Republic of Korea through at Thinyoung village, to ensure farmers’ produce understanding on the deal. Myanmar. Of these plans, likely be unable to construct the Korea International Viengkham district which had viable markets as well as The Electricity Generating the one related to the Man more hydroelectric dams of its C o o p e r a t i o n A g e n c y is also supported by the ensuring the sustainability Authority of Thailand will Tong Dam has the brightest own, it had a good chance of (KOICA). government of the Republic of projects so they could invest in this project, because prospects. If the ongoing buying hydroelectricity from Following that, the of Korea through KOICA. continue even after outside it will buy power produced via feasibility review rules neighbouring nations. Prime Minister and other F u r t h e r m o r e , a assistance had ceased.