Vientiane Times The First National English Language Newspaper WEDNESDAY JUNE 21, 2017 ISSUE 141 4500 kip Thailand plans to sign PM directs agro development electricity accord with Laos and Malaysia projects in Vientiane province 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 BANGKOK (The Nation/ be held in Manila 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 Singapore 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 China 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 Cambodia 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. Mekong 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 Luang Prabang 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, Savannakhet 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 Japan, 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 Chiang Mai CLMV countries,” Mr Suthon Luang Prabang’s historic Southivongnorath Provincial Offce of Tourism said. district was transformed