Lao morning news for May 7

Laos posts 5.41 billion USD in export earnings in 2018
Laos recorded total export revenue of 5.41 billion USD in 2018, according to statistics of the country’s ministry of industry and trade.
— Vietnamplus

LAOS: Screws on Online Discourse Get Even Tighter
THE ABSENCE of independent media and shrinking civic space have effectively deprived the citizens of Laos of timely and qualitative information, including those that are critical in keeping them safe from harm.
— Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism

Border demarcation with Laos remains precarious
Foreign Affairs Minister Prak Sokhonn has blamed Laos for bogging down demarcation work along the border.
— Khmer Times

Vientiane Times gains more partners, foreign news sources
Vientiane Times has increased its foreign media partners and foreign news sources as an information gateway for the nation, helping non Lao-speaking people to learn and understand about current affairs in Laos and bringing information from around the world to people living here, after joining the Belt and Road News Network (BRNN) as a Council member.
— Vientiane Times (paywall)

Ministry calls for end to alcohol advertising
The Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism issued a notice last week banning the advertising of alcoholic beverages and activities that promote the consumption of alcoholic drinks.
— Vientiane Times (paywall)

Huaphan airport over 50 percent complete
The contractor is speeding up construction of the new Nongkhang airport in Xamneua district, Huaphan province, in the hope of completing the project at the end of this year.
— Vientiane Times

TOHLAO, Lao Telecom help build startup businesses
TOHLAO, in cooperation with Lao Telecommunication Public Company (Lao Telecom), has initiated an enterprise aimed at helping young Lao startup entrepreneurs to utilise digital technologies to achieve their full business potential.
— The Nation

Lao exports via GSP, FTAs near 1.31 bln USD in 2018
Laos’ exports via the Generalised System of Preferences (GSP) and free trade agreements (FTAs) neared 1.31 billion USD last year, accounting for 24.3 percent of the total exports, according to the Lao News Agency KPL on May 6.
— Vietnamplus

Agriculture ministry sets growth targets
The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry is aiming for agriculture to account for 3.4 percent of Gross Domestic Product by 2020.
— Vientiane Times (paywall)

UN EXPERT REPORTS OF ‘A NEAR-TOTAL LACK OF SPACE FOR FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION’ IN LAOS
Restrictions on civic space continue to be reported in Laos over the last few months.
— Monitor

Int’l Day of the Midwife shines spotlight on safe childbirth
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) is working in partnership with Laos to further strengthen aspects of professional midwifery development.
— Vientiane Times (paywall)

Combating age-old beliefs can help save bears in Asia
Asiatic black bears, popularly known as “moon bears,” are facing a variety of threats throughout their range, which stretches from the Himalayas all the way to mainland Southeast Asia.
— Sustainability Times

Govt urged to address e-commerce constraints
The government must address several challenges as part of efforts to effectively develop e-commerce and make trade more efficient, a recent study reveals.
— Vientiane Times

Delegation of North Korea’s highest court en route to Vietnam, Laos: KCNA
A group of officials from North Korea’s Central Court — the country’s highest legal body — departed Pyongyang on Saturday for a visit to Laos and Vietnam, the country’s state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported.
— NK News

Creed Group, Anandi Group Launch Sales Gallery
Real estate developers Creed Group and Anandi Group opened a sales gallery for the “ARATA Xaysetha Garden Residences” project in Phonthan village, Xaysettha district, Vientiane Capital, on May 4, 2019.
— KPL

Cheuang Sombounkhan Foundation gives voice to the young
The Cheuang Sombounkhan Foundation will continue its work to improve the skills and abilities of young Lao orators and writers this year by coordinating public speaking competitions, debates and workshops in schools across Vientiane.
— Vientiane Times (paywall)

Environmental concerns prompt govt to caution Naxaithong banana grower
The government has advised an investor preparing land for a banana plantation in Nanard village, Naxaithong district, Vientiane to grow other crops due to concerns about environmental impacts.
— Vientiane Times (paywall)

ASIANDATE RECOMMENDS SAVANNAKHET IN LAOS AS ITS EVOCATIVE BUT SURPRISING CHOICE FOR CITY OF THE MONTH IN MAY
AsianDate, the international dating service enjoyed by global singles seeking their best Asian matches, has announced a surprise choice as its City of the Month for May 2019.
— ABNewswire

Black List Wins K-POP Contest 2019
Black List, a group of seven boys, has won K-POP Contest 2019 and will participate in 2019 Changewon K-POP World Festival to be held in Seoul, Republic of Korea by the end of this year.
— KPL

Korean Food Cooking Contest 2019 Held
Ms Phonephet Phimmavong has won Korean Food Cooking Contest, (Hansik Contest) grabbing the first prize – a round-trip ticket to South Korea and an opportunity to participate in the final round of K-Food Cooking Contest in Seoul, R. Korea.
— KPL

The UXO Museum Showed Me How the US Destroyed Laos
Laos is the most bombed country in the world per capita. The horrific story behind this and its ramifications are found at the UXO Museum in Luang Prabang.
— Skye Travels

Women’s Union teachers get lessons on gender equality in jobseeking
The Lao Women’s Union and South Korea’s Ministry of Gender Equality and Family have teamed up to boost gender equality and education linked to employment.
— Vientiane Times (paywall)

Lao man arrested with ecstasy pills, explosives, ammunition
A Lao man was caught Saturday with 12,000 ecstasy pills, 2 kilograms of dynamite, 100 plus bullets intended for Vietnam.
— VnExpress International

Feature photo Asian Development Bank

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.

Lao morning news for May 7 added by Stella-maris Ewudolu on May 7, 2019
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Stella-maris Ewudolu

Journalist at AEC News Today

Stella-maris graduated with a Bachelor of Arts, Education from Ebonyi State University, Nigeria in 2005.

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.