Lao morning news for December 27

Govt places focus on tackling business constraints
Improving the investment climate, and building a state governed by the rule of law will be the main focus of government activities in the first month of 2019.
— Vientiane Times

PM calls for Poverty Reduction Fund to accelerate efforts
Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith has called on the Poverty Reduction Fund (PRF) to continue to help villagers rise above poverty after learning that a significant number of families remain impoverished.
— Vientiane Times

Yusen Logistics establishes new corporation in Laos
Yusen Logistics has established new corporation in Laos, People’s Democratic Republic, to meet the anticipated demand for logistics in the landlocked country.
— The Stat Trade Times

Quang Tri, Laos’ provinces agree on border marker protection
Representatives from Vietnam’s central province of Quang Tri and Savannakhet and Salavan provinces of Laos gathered at a meeting in Huong Hoa district on December 25 to agree on the management and protection of national border markers.
— Nhan Dan Online

Lao Christians Celebrate the Christmas Holiday Under State Scrutiny
Lao Christians observed religious holiday services this year largely free from government interference, though state officials were required to be present to check for anti-government messaging, sources in the country say.
— Radio Free Asia

Facing the Future in Laos and the Cambodian Coast
At the final two places on our list of 52, our columnist contemplates the swift, irrevocable changes that tourism and development are bringing.
— New York Times

Rice research responding to climate change
The Rice Research Centre is accelerating efforts to improve the efficiency of the current rice breeding and testing programme for farmers’ use in response to climate change.
— Vientiane Times

CELEBRATE THE 60TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FOUNDING ANNIVERSARY
The ceremony marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of the 60th Anniversary of Science and Technology (MWS) held on December 25, 2018 at the University of Honor.
— Vientiane Mai

Lao Front President Receives Vietnam Peace Committee Chairman
President of the Lao Front for National Development Xaysomphone Phomvihane received on Dec 25 a courtesy call from Vice President of Vietnam Peace Committee Pham Van Chuong as the latter was on a working visit to Laos between Dec 24 and 28.
— KPL

DRAIN WATER – PROVIDE ENOUGH WATER TO PRODUCE DRY SEASON
Mr. Phetsampon Pongpaly, Deputy Director of the Center for Water Irrigation – Water Supply, recently interviewed: The Basin Hole can collect 37.9 million cubic meters of water, equivalent to 63% of the water, 6.2 million cubic meters of water consumed or received.
— Vientiane Mai

Attendance of Laos Tourism Year 2018 is connected to the worship of Lord Xaysethirath
Attapeu the opening tourism’s 2018 underlying festival worship God over the state’s stake on 24th December last element, Saysettha Attapeu by attendees of the Web Siphandone- Deputy Prime Minister, Chairman led national government tourism’s 2018, has called on over the former president and his wife, you finish past Paul province of Attapeu, invited guests And even people Attapeu participate significantly.
— Pasaxon

John Clifford’s 16-day Itinerary Around Vietnam and Laos
John Clifford is a member of Travel + Leisure’s A-List, a collection of the top travel advisors in the world, and can help plan your perfect getaway. Below is an example of the type of itineraries he creates. To work with John, contact him at [email protected].
— Travel and Leisure

Feature photo Global News

This week’s morning news photo features a defining moment, event, or situation from 2018 for each country as chosen by our editors.

Find our previous morning news feature photos in the AEC News Today Morning News Feature Photos gallery where you will find a pictorial display of daily life throughout the Asean Economic Community (AEC).

Lao morning news by AEC News Today is your one stop source for Lao PDR news on matters of governance and policies affecting Asean business communities. It is published M-F by AEC News Today: Governance, not government; policies not politics.