Lao PDR’s Economic Growth To Remain Stable In 2019, 2020, ADB Outlook
In 2019 and 2020, the Economic growth in the Lao PDR is expected to remain stable at 6.5% supported by the expanding agriculture, energy, industry, and services sectors, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) has said in its latest report.
— KPL
Undernutrition robs Lao children of the start they need
Undernutrition is a chronic problem for children in land-locked Laos. If children are underfed for the first two years of their life, they will forever impaired.
— UCA News
Chinese Investors Scrambling to Buy Into Laos’ Boten SEZ Ahead of Railway
Laos’ Boten Specific Economic Zone (SEZ) is enjoying strong interest from Chinese investors as the Lao-China railway nears completion, but local villagers are fearful of the rapid change.
— RFA
Laos Launches E-Visa This June
In a bid to attract more tourists and reduce waiting times at border checkpoints, Laos’ ministry of foreign affairs has announced the introduction of an e-visa service to start this June, enabling foreign visitors to more conveniently apply for entry visas online.
— Investvine
New measures aim to improve road, bridge construction
The government plans to introduce measures to curb the current unreasonably high costs of road and bridge construction, while also ensuring that work is of a high standard.
— Vientiane Times (paywall)
Nam Ou hydro project on course for 2020 completion
The Nam Ou river in northern Laos will eventually have seven hydropower plants, with some already complete and generating electricity for public use.
— ANN/ Vientiane Times
Laos launches pilot project for electric vehicle charging system
Laos has taken a step towards the development of electric vehicles with the launch of a pilot project of vehicle battery charging stations.
— Xinhuanet
Bangkok Airways launches direct service from Chiang Mai to Laung Prabang
The Chiang Mai – Luang Prabang (Laos) services are added to Bangkok Airways’ route network to cover CLMV countries which are Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam by using Chiang Mai as a strategic flying hub, according to the airline’s press release.
— The Nation
Meeting seeks improved occupational safety for construction workers
Laos will continue to work with its development partners to build capacity around occupational security and safety and related diseases of workers at construction sites.
— Vientiane Times
#OpElephants: D3fS3c Hacks The Government of Laos To Raise Awareness Against Elephant Trafficking Into Asia
This afternoon, April 3rd 2019, a new group of hackers going by the name of “D3fS3c” announced a hack/leak of the Government of Laos.
— Rogue Media Labs (blog)
Laos seeks to promote female entrepreneurship
LAOS is now seeking ways to increase the number of businesswomen as part of the government’s effort to promote female entrepreneurship and offer opportunities for them to showcase and share achievements of women-owned businesses.
— The Phnom Penh Post
Ministry postpones road tax payment deadline until June 30
The deadline for motorists to pay this year’s road tax has been postponed from March 31 until June 30, the Taxation Department of the Ministry of Finance has announced.
— Vientiane Times (paywall)
Integrating soil, water management sprouts income growth for lettuce growers in Laos
A lettuce growers’ group in Xaythany district of Vientiane has been able to increase its income by using techniques to sustainably improve yields developed through a project for integrating soil and water management in Laos and Cambodia.
— Borneo Bulletin
Environment police beef up investigation methods to curb crime
Officers from the Environmental Police Department are coming together this week to learn about effective environmental crime investigation methods, aiming to curb crimes of this kind.
— Vientiane Times (paywall)
SE Asia educators plan better future for border schools
A three-day workshop run by the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organisation (SEAMEO) opened in Vientiane on Tuesday to discuss the Border School Project, aimed at promoting inclusive and accessible education in border areas.
— Vientiane Times (paywall)
ODOP sales centre highlights local wares
Consumers wanting to purchase local One District, One Product (ODOP) offerings and other quality handmade items now have a convenient retail outlet with the opening of the Laos ODOP Consignment Centre.
— ANN/ Vientiane Times
Govt creates two national parks
The government has created two national parks in northern and central Laos to protect forests, biodiversity, natural beauty and the country’s geological development.
— Vientiane Times
Govt awards medal to outstanding Chinese official
The government has awarded a Friendship Medal to the President of the Yunnan provincial People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, Mrs Zhou Hong, for her outstanding contribution to furthering cooperation between China and Laos.
— Vientiane Times
Government officials get lessons in nutrition policies
The European Union (EU) and UNICEF are working to build the capacity of government staff to make better use of evidence and data to design and implement nutrition-related policies and programmes through a workshop under the National Information Platforms for Nutrition (NIPN) initiative.
— Vientiane Times (paywall)
Feature photo UNDP
This week’s Lao morning news feature photo acknowledges International Mine Awareness Day, April 4.
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.

Stella-maris Ewudolu
Between November 2010 and February 2012 she was a staff writer at Daylight Online, Nigeria writing on health, fashion, and relationships. From 2010 – 2017 she worked as a freelance screen writer for ‘Nollywood’, Nigeria.
She joined AEC News Today in December 2016.

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