Lao morning news for March 22

China’s US$7 billion railway link to Laos is almost half done, on schedule to begin service in 2021
China’s railway line to Laos is almost half complete, putting it on schedule to begin service in December 2021, said the chief of Lao Railways.
— South China Morning Post

Villagers in Laos Refuse Dam Developer’s Compensation Offer for Relocation
An estimated 125 families from seven villages in Vienthong district of central Laos’ Bolikhamxay province, who would be displaced after construction of a new dam are refusing to accept compensation from the developer, saying what they have been offered is not enough.
— Radio Free Asia

First major tunnel over 5,000 meters drilled through along China-Laos railway
A Chinese railway engineering company on Thursday drilled through Boten Tunnel, the first major tunnel over 5,000 meters along the China-Laos railway.
— Xinhuanet

Japan to fund aqua projects in Lao
The Japanese government has offered US $1.8 million in grant aid funding for aquaculture-related projects in Lao.
— The Fish Site

Bank improves land tax payment service
People can now easily pay land tax to the Banque Pour Le Commerce Exterieur Lao Public (BCEL) and its counter services across the country as the Tax Department under the Ministry of Finance has allowed them to use only land.
— Vientiane Times (paywall)

Chinese group conducts feasibility study on Laos fruits
Buyers from the Chinese province of Sichuan are expected to import up to 50 tons of fruit from Laos each year including bananas, pineapples and passion fruit.
— Fresh Plaza

Lao gov’t, growth companions talk about LDC standing commencement
The Lao government officials and development partners are meeting here to discuss the efforts Laos needs to take to graduate from the Least Developed Country (LDC) status.
— Brinkwire (media release)

Russian combat engineers get government awards for mine clearance in Laos
Combat engineers from Russia’s International Mine Action Center have received government awards for clearing Laos of unexploded US ordnance and air bombs left from the period of the war in Vietnam.
— Tass

Japan Donates Ambulance, Fire Truck To Vientiane Rescue 1623
The Japanese government has provided grant assistance worth USD 22,195 to Vientiane Rescue 1623, through its Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP).
— KPL

Lumberings & Longings: Trials, Tales As Elephants, Handlers Adjust to Era
Like wildlife in biological hotspots worldwide, Laos’ wild and domesticated elephants alike are facing a time of rapid and significant change, amid increased man-made developments and a fast-changing natural and socio-economic environment, Laotian Times writes.
— The Laotian Times

Govt outlines swine fever prevention measures, response
The government yesterday advised the public not to be alarmed about African swine fever, which cannot be passed to humans, after reported outbreaks in other nations.
— Vientiane Times (paywall)

Laos, Thailand Promote Carved Wood Products
Laos, Thailand have promoted cross-cultural craft to strengthen cooperation between skilled sculptors of Laos and Thailand.
— KPL

Huge potential for Vietnam, Laos to collaborate in cooperative economy
Vietnam and Laos would combine forces in cooperative economy, heard a meeting in Hanoi on March 21 between President of the Vietnam Cooperative Alliance (VCA) Nguyen Ngoc Bao and head of the National Economic Research Institute of Laos Bouasone Bouphavanh.
— Vietnamplus

The Automation & Control Market in Emerging SEA (Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar): Forecast to 2022 – Investment in Key Infrastructure Vital for Attracting Global Manufacturing Companies – ResearchAndMarkets.com
This research service provides information about the industrial automation and process control market in the growing countries of Laos, Cambodia, and Myanmar.
— Business Wire

MOFA congratulates Mekong-Lancang Cooperation members on anniversary
Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Lao PDR, Mr Saleumxay Kommasith has congratulated Mekong-Lancang Cooperation member countries on marking their 3rd Anniversary of Establishment (March 23, 2016 – March 23, 2019).
— Vientiane Times

Media joins information campaign against measles
Health experts joined representatives from newspapers, radio and television in Vientiane yesterday to discuss the reporting of official information in the fight against measles-rubella and other diseases.
— Vientiane Times (paywall)

International Lantern Festival 2019 To Take Place At Phoutaven Farm
The first International Lantern Festival will be held at agro-tourism Phoutaven Farm in Pak Ngum district, Vientiane Capital on Mar 7-10.
— KPL

Banana production areas in Yunnan and Laos suffer from hailstorms
Jinping County in Yunnan was surprised by hailstorms on the morning of March 19th, 2019.
— Fresh Plaza

Robot comp planned for March 2020
The National University of Laos’ (NUOL) Faculty of Engineering has announced it will hold its 15th National Robot Design Contest in March next year.
— Vientiane Times (paywall)

Toyota Dream Car Art Contest 2019 Winners Awarded
Toyota Motor Thailand has awarded prizes to the winners of the Toyota Dream Car Art Contest 2019, the twelfth of its kind.
— KPL

Ministry reviews community radio development project
The Enhancing People’s Participation through Community Radio (EPPCR) project is enhancing community participation in eight radio stations by providing skill development and training in radio production to public officials and volunteers.
— Vientiane Times (paywall)

High-ranking delegation of Lao army visit Military Zone 9
A high-level delegation of the Lao People’s Army (LPA) led by Lieutenant General Thongloi Silivong, Deputy Minister of National Defence and head of the LPA’s General Department of Politics, visited Vietnam’s Military Zone 9 High Command on March 20.
— Vietnamplus

New rest area to revive weary motorists in Xeno
A new rest area for motorists in Xeno, Savannakhet province has opened for public service this week after completion of the project.
— Vientiane Times

Village heads trained in green agriculture
Farmers of Hom and Simmano villages in Hadxaifong district of Vientiane will reduce the use of chemicals in farming processes after joining a training programme that increased awareness about chemicals and the need for sustainable development.
— Vientiane Times (paywall)

2019 Lao New Year Festival April 18-21st
One of Louisiana’s most culturally unique assets that draws crowds by the thousands each year — The 2019 Louisiana Lao New Year Festival on April 20th same weekend as Easter.
— KLFY.com

Feature photo World Bank Photo Collection

This week’s Lao morning news feature photo acknowledges World Water Day, March 22.

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.