Lao morning news for January 14, 2020

Laos aims to cut number of poor familes to 5% in 2020
An article in Kao Today, published on January 7, discussed the target, referring to a government report delivered at the most recent National Assembly session.
— ANN/Vientiane Times

Chinese investors keen to find investment opportunities in Laos
Their target sectors include information technology, hydropower, sand and stone excavation, paper production, mining, and infrastructure.
— ANN/Vientiane Times

US launches new initiative to help counter trafficking in persons
The United States has made a new commitment to support Laos to end human trafficking and has partnered with the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare to launch a new three-year Laos Counter Trafficking in Persons (CTIP) programme.
— Vientiane Times (paywall)

Laos begins transmission of 195MW of electricity to Cambodia
The power link was officially opened last week, in a ceremony attended by the Deputy Managing Director of Electricite du Laos (EDL), Mr Duangsy Pharanhok, and Deputy Managing Director of Electricite du Cambodia (EDC), Mr Praing Chulasa, along with Don Sahong Power Company representatives.
— ANN/Vientiane Times

18th Cambodia- Laos-Myanmar- Vietnam senior economic officials’ meeting opens
This is an important meeting of economic mechanism between the four countries within conference series under the framework of ASEAN 2020 economic cooperation channel.
— Saigon Online

Xekong on track to have first international border crossing with Vietnam
The Prime Minister’s Office plans to upgrade the Daktaok local border crossing in Dakcheung district, Xekong province, to an international level crossing on the Vietnamese border.
— Eleven Myanmar Media Group

Lao-Chinese partnership to develop industry and agriculture in Savannakhet
Lao authorities and a Chinese company will survey and design an industry and agriculture development project in Xepon district, Savannakhet province.
— Vientiane Times (paywall)

Laos’ Champassak Province Hands Over Waterfalls Projects to Hong Kong Firm
Authorities in Laos’ Champassak province have revoked the licenses of a Lao development firm for tourism projects around two waterfalls in the province so that a Hong Kong-based developer could take over.
— RFA

Laos, China sign currency settlement agreement
Laos and China have agreed to facilitate the direct exchange of the Lao kip (LAK) and the Chinese yuan (CNY) instead of having to making conversions through other currencies previously.
— Vietnam Plus

Tourism project licences revoked to make way for special economic zone
The Governor of Champassak province, Dr Bounthong Divixay, recently issued a decision revoking the project licence that was granted in 2011 to a businesswoman to build facilities at the Khonphapheng and Somphamith waterfalls.
— ANN/Vientianes Times

FM expresses condolences over floods in Indonesia
Foreign Minister Saleumxay Kommasith on January 7 sent a message of sympathy and condolence to his Indonesian counterpart Mrs Retno LP Marsudi, whose country is suffering from devastating flooding.
— Vientiane Times (paywall)

Joint Operation Busts Major Lao Drug Smugglers
Border guards in the Vietnamese central province of Quang Binh said they busted a Lao drug gang for attempting to smuggle 60,000 meth pills into Vietnam, in a joint operation with Lao authorities on Jan 7.
— KPL

‘Happy Chinese New Year’ festival celebrated in Lao capital
The 2020 “Happy Chinese New Year” festival was celebrated in the Lao capital of Vientiane on Saturday and Sunday.
— China.Org

Planning minister calls for better use of development aid
The Ministry of Planning and Investment and other ministries have been advised to enhance the administration of official development assistance (ODA) to ensure its comprehensive contribution to national development.
— Vientiane Times (paywall)

Xekong on track to have first international border crossing with Vietnam
Lao and Vietnamese officials are currently discussing the date when this change will take place. If the status is elevated as planned, Daktaok will become Xekong’s first international border crossing, according to the province’s Information, Culture and Tourism Department.
— ANN/Vientiane Times

Legislation aims to designate Hmong-Lao Veterans Day in Wisconsin
A new state bill aims to recognize a group whose sacrifice for America isn’t often acknowledged. Sen. Roger Roth (R-Appleton) discussed the legislation Monday in Appleton, which would create a Hmong-Lao Veterans Day in Wisconsin.
— Wbay.com

Feature photo ClimateLinks/ isabelmccan

This week’s Lao morning news feature photo focuses on renewable energy use throughout Asean.

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).

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