2016 VTN Issue 021

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4500 kipUESDAY JANUARY 26, 2016 ISSUE 21

The First National English Language Newspaper

Vientiane Times The 10th Congress of Lao

People’s Revolutionary Party

CONTINUED PAGE 3

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Prime Minister Thongsing Thammavong (right ) welcomes US Secretary of State John Kerry.

Souksakhone Vaenkeo

Laos and the United States havestrengthened their bilateralties, with US Secretary of StateJohn Kerry ending a two-dayofcial visit to Laos yesterday.

Mr Kerry’s visit, madeat the invitation of his Laocounterpart Mr ThonglounSisoulith, came ahead of the

planned trip to Laos by USPresident Barack Obama,

which is scheduled to take place in September this year.The US Embassy to Laos

said the historic visits to Laos by th e US lead er s wo ul d‘demonstrate a deepeningrelationship between theUnited States and the LaoPDR’.

Following his arrival inVientiane on Sunday, MrKerry yesterday met with MrThongloun, who is also DeputyPrime Minister, at the Ministryof Foreign Affairs.

The ministry said in a press release that both sidesdiscussed ways to deepen

bilateral ties and cooperation between Laos and the US, as

well as multilateral issues.Agendas tabled at the talkscovered the areas of further

bilateral cooperation to clearunexploded ordnance (UXO)dropped on Laos during theIndochinese war.

They also discussed Laos-US engagement in areasincluding health care, nutrition,education, drug supervision andcontrol, economics and tradeand environmental protectionas well as cooperation tocontinue searching for theremains of US soldiers missingin action in Laos.

In the area of multilateralcooperation, the Lao ministrysaid both sides further discussed

the ‘Lower Mekong Initiative’cooperation framework.The US has provided

nancial aid to Laos amountingto more than US$45 milliona year. The US Embassyto Laos sa id Secre taryKerry highlighted the UScommitment to partneringwi t h Laos t o i mprovenutrition across the country,including through the recentlyannounced construction ofthe Lao-American Nutrition

John Kerry’s visit deepensLaos-US ties

Institute in Vientiane.Shortly after his talks with

Mr Thongloun, SecretaryKerry called on Prime MinisterThongsing Thammavong at theGovernment Ofce to discuss

preparations for the US-AseanSunnylands Summit, whichwill be jointly hosted by theUnited States and Laos, as2016 Asean Chair, in California

next month.Thi s unp receden t edgathering – the rst hosted bythe United States with Aseanleaders – builds on the deep

par tner ship tha t the Unit edStates has forged with Aseansince 2009, the US Embassysaid.

The Lao ministry said MrKerry’s visit also prepared forthe planned visit to Laos by US

president Barack Obama laterthis year to attend the Asean-

US Summit.Following the official

meetings, Secretary Kerryvisited Pha That Luang (ThatLuang Stupa), the nationalsymbol of Laos, where helearned about Lao historyand culture. Mr Kerry is the

second Secretary of Stateto have visited Laos sincethe establishment of the LaoPeople’s Democratic Republicin 1975. Then Secretary ofState Hillary Rodham Clintonmade a one-day ofcial trip toLaos in 2012.

Times Reporters

People and livestock in uplandareas of northeastern Laos arestruggling with the freezingcold as temperatures in someareas dropped to zero, whilelowland areas too have beentaken by surprise.

Low temperatures arecurrently being experienced

throughout the country, withthe cold being accompanied bystrong wind and rain in some

places , not abl y Pho ngsaly,Huaphan and Xieng Khuang

provinces.The t empe ra t u r e i n

Xamneua district, Huaphan provi nce yesterday droppedto zero degrees Celsius, whilePhongsaly recorded 1.5Cand Xieng Khuang 0.2C, theMeteorology and HydrologyDepartment reported.

Some upland areas ofHuaphan province experiencedfrost. Many people commentedon social networks on Sundaythat it was snowing but thedepartment conrmed that it

was not.However, every part of thecountry will have cold weather,wind and rain in the next fewdays, according to weatherforecasters.

The department calledon everyone to protect theirhealth, keep warm and stayout of the cold, especially the

Northern provinces

hit by extreme

cold snapelderly and children.

Meanwhile Lao VIVOCompany is call ing forcontributions from the publicto help the poorest peoplein the hardest hit areas ofPhongsaly, Huaphan and XiengKhuang provinces.

A few bu f f a l oe s i n Nongkhang village, Xamneuadistrict, Huaphan province

died due to the cold, whilethe provincial livestock andsheries section expected toreport more livestock deaths.

One Huaphan resident,who works for the provincialAgriculture and ForestryDepartment, said the finerain looked like snow but shecouldn’t be sure because thiswas the rst time she had seensuch a phenomenon.

The lowest temperaturerecorded in Vientiane yesterdaywas 10.4C, while Oudomxayreported 5.0C, Huayxai districtin Bokeo province 7.1C, Luang

Namtha province 5.0C, LuangPrabang province 7.1C andXayaboury province 8.8C.

Xaysomboun province sawtemperatures drop to 4.5C,Phonhong district in Vientiane

province recorded 9.3C, Pakxandistrict, Borikhamxay province9.7C, Km20 in Khammuan

province 3.3C, Savannakhet province 10.2C, Pakxe districtin Champassak province 14.5C,

Xamneua district, Huaphan province, has experienced some of itscoldest temperatures in recent memory. Thick frost is clearly visibleon the ground and roofs.

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2 Vientiane TimesHome news Tuesday January 26, 2016

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Times Reporters

Phase two of the “WomenEmpowerment in LocalLeadership for Gender Equality”

project for 2013-2015 has beensuccessfully implemented inLuang Prabang, Borikhamxayand Xekong provinces.

Over the past few years,the project has contributed toimproving the legal frameworkand policies to advance localwomen’s right to participatein decision making, and alsohelped promote gender equalityin leadership and participation.

In addition, the projecthas ensured men and womenwere able to implementgender-sensitive policies in

the targeted districts.The “Women Empowerment

in Local Leadership forGender Equality” project wasorganised by the Lao Women’sUnion, while Oxfam Novib

provided a grant for the project.Lao Women’s Union

member committees fromthree main provinces jointlyreviewed the projec t ’sachievements at a closingmeeting which took place inVientiane yesterday.

Vice President of theLao Women’s Union, MsBouachanh Syhanath, andAssociate Country Director

Gender equality project progress assessed

Vice President of the Lao Women’s Union, Ms Bouachanh Syhanath ( right ), and Associate CountryDirector of Oxfam Laos, Mr Antonino Faibene (left ), chair the meeting.

of Oxfam Laos, Mr Antonino

Faibene, chaired the meeting.In her opening speech,

Ms Bouachanh said thegovernment has focusedon raising awareness of theneed to advance women’srights. Women are now able to

participate in socio-economicdevelopment plans.

The number of female National Assembly membersis gradually increasing, andalso in state administrationsand other areas, she added.

The “Women Empowermentin Local Leadership forGender Equality” project hascreated better conditions andmore opportunities for localwomen as they are now able to

participate in decision makingand other aspects of planning.

Mr Faibene said the project was fun ded by theDutch Ministry of ForeignAffairs through Oxfam andsuccessfully implemented bythe Lao Women’s Union, along-term partner of Oxfamin Laos.

Laos has a positive legalenvironment for gender equalityand women’s rights. Womenleaders are needed at all levelsof society and Mr Faibene saidsome extraordinary progresshas been made in women’sleadership at the national level.

But this can be particularly

challenging at the villagelevel, where traditions, cultureand the role of women in thehome often prevent women

putting themselves forward forleadership roles.

He added that women’svoices are often scarcely heardin community level planningand in national policy-making

processes. Their contributionto providing family income andfood resources is too frequentlyoverlooked.

O x f a m ’ s a n a l y s i s ,strategic choices and actionsacknowledge the centralityof gender roles and women’srights. This requires genderanalys is , language and

understanding of the differentialimpact of poverty drivers anddevelopment interventions.

Oxfam bel ieves tha tfor substantive and durabletransformation to occur,change needs to happen atdifferent, mutually reinforcingl e v e l s . T h i s i n c l u d e schanging women’s and men’sconsciousness, improvingwomen’s access to resources,changing informal culturalnorms and practices thatmaintain inequality in everyday

practice, and advocating for anenabling legal and institutionalenvironment.

Times Reporters

Lotus World, an NGO fromthe Republic of Korea, has

provided assist ance throughthe Ministry of Education

and Sports for the project‘Education for CommunityDevelopment’ in XiengKhuang province.

Lot us W or l d i s aninternational relief anddevelopment organisationestablished to eradicate global

poverty based on the Buddhist principles of mercy, equalityand peace.

A grant agreement forfunding of US$394,000 wassigned last week at the XiengKhuang provincial Educationand Sports Department by thedepartment’s Deputy DirectorMr Thongphet Inthaxay andthe Director of Lotus World inCambodia, Jiwoo Sunim.

The signing ceremony waswitnessed by representativesfrom both sides.

The two-year project will begin in March this year andwill run until 2017 in Dokkhamvillage, Kham district.

The main activities will be school construct ion andrenovation, providing furnitureand educational materials,supporting community librariesand providing books, holding

primary school teacher trainingand empowerment training forvillagers and local volunteers.

Lotus World gives boostto education in Laos

Mr Thongphet Inthaxay (left ) shakes hands with Jiwoo Sunim afterthe signing ceremony.

Speaking at the signingceremony, Jiwoo Sunim said“We are very proud to bring

better educational opportunitiesfor young students.”

“It is critically importantthat the benefits of the

project should be enjoyed by

people in the respective localcommunities as these are themost signicant characteristicsof our organisation.”

Mr Thongphet thankedLotus World for its generoussupport and expressed hopefor further cooperation in thenear future, saying “Providingassistance to students in XiengKhuang province will helpthem to have a better future.”

“The development ofhuman resources is key toeconomic progress and nationalgrowth,” he added.

The projects will helpto improve the educationalenvironment of the respectiveschools and also enrollment ratesamong students, especially thosefrom rural areas.

Starting from an education project to help impoverished

children and a welfare projectin Cambodia in 2004, LotusWorld is also promotingeducation-supporting projectsfor healthy development incommunities in Myanmar andLaos.

Lotus World in the LaoPDR has worked since 2013to help the government ofLaos to achieve its socio-economic development goals

by str eng thening access toeducation in rural areas,especially Xieng Khuang

province.

Phetphoxay Sengpaseuth

Education experts from DVVInternational and the Ministryof Education and Sportsmet in Vientiane yesterdayto exchange experiences oneducation development inlifelong learning in the region.

Attending the meeting wereDeputy Minister of Educationand Sports, Mr Lytou Bouapao,Regional Director of DVVInternational in Laos, Mr UweGartenschlaeger, and ofcialsworking in the sector.

Meet ing par t ic ipants

reported on progress intransforming education andtraining systems to createlifelong learning societies inthe Asia-Pacic, lessons learntfrom an expert workshop atUNESCO Bangkok, Thailand,the experiences exchanged oneducation development at theCommunity Learning Centre(CLC) in Cambodia, andlifelong learning for humansecurity in the education forsustainable development andlifelong learning for all project.

Speaking at the meeting, MrLytou Bouapao said transformingeducation for sustainabledevelopment and lifelonglearning for all would play an

important role in improvingeducation development in Laos.

He said the government’seducation sector development

plan for 2016 to 2020 wasabout creating opportunitiesfor all Lao people to haveequitable access to qualityeducation to help themselvesand the nation while reducing

Experts confer on lifelong

learning development

Mr Uwe Gartenschlaeger (centre) at the meeting.

the disparities between urbanand rural areas.

Communications Officerof DVV International, MsDalouny Sisourath, saidthe workshop also aimedto support the spread anddevelopment of model CLCsto other parts of the region,ensure their sustainability, andoffer education to people whohad not had the opportunitiesto learn.

She said explanatorymeetings were held to give

participants a solid introductionto the Community LearningCentre, stressing that the multi-

purpose faci liti es would be

operated by the community.“The CLC opera t ion

cannot succeed if there is nounderstanding of its meaningamongst the community, sothis step must be handledwith careful attention. Furtherexplanation is given untilthe villagers are completelysatised,” she said.

She explained that the purpose of the CLC was tocooperate with efforts to rebuildthe functionality of educationthat takes place outside schoolsin local communities.

In acting as a support forliteracy education, this out-of-school educational functionwill help regional societies toact for themselves and carryon the educational activitiesneeded by communities.

DVV International is theinternational branch of theBerman Adult EducationAssociation. The leading

pr of es si on al orga ni sa ti onof non-formal education

and development, DVVInternational has committeditself to supporting lifelonglearning for more than 45years.

In Laos, DVV Internationalhas cooperated since 2009 withthe Department of Non-FormalEducation of the Ministry ofEducation and Sports.

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3Vientiane Times Tuesday January 26, 2016 Home news

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Weather forecast

Times Reporters

SOS Children’s Villages Laoshave attained remarkableoutcomes throughout the pastyears, thanks to the supportand assistance provided bySOS International, SOS Asia,friendly countries and donororganisations.

National Director of SOSChildren’s Villages Laos MrSoumata Dengchampa made theobservation in his introductoryremarks at the SOS AsianFinancial Heads’ Workshopfrom January 25-30.

This meeting is one of greatsignicance for the SOS Familyin Asia in general and for LaoSOS Children’s Villages in

particular, he noted.

In 1993, Laos becamethe 124th country to formallyendorse the assistance provided

by SOS International and ledto the establishment of the rstSOS Village in Vientiane thatsame year.

The SOS villages have beenfurther expanded and at presentthere are six SOS Children’sVillages in Laos which have been

SOS Children’s Villagesachieve great success

home to 1,483 children takencare of by 438 SOS mothers,

aunts and staff with supportrendered by SOS KinderdorfInternational.

Express ing his deepappreciation for the continuedsupport given by PresidentHelmut Kutin and SOS Asia,Mr Soumata said SOS Children’sVillages Laos have been furtherdeveloped and expanded quiterapidly compared with those inneighbouring countries.

In this regard, the Laogovernment highly values thegenerous support and assistancegiven to Lao children bySOS International, which has

proved to be one of the mostsuccessful projects supportingthe Lao government’s policy

on child care and developmentthus delivering remarkableoutcomes, Mr Soumata added.

Furthermore, the projectshave made an importantcontribution to addressingsocial problems, giving newhope for disadvantaged children

by providing better care, theopportunity for a better life,education and health, all of which

will ultimately restore their hopesand ensure their brighter future in

society, he said.Today SOS Children’s

Villages Laos have been ableto provide better care, bettereducation opportunities, healthand the youths which onceresided and received care inSOS Children’s Villages Laos arenow able to perform their dutiesin different occupations.

Moreover, many of themare now pursuing furtherstudies at different vocationalschools, colleges and universitiesthroughout the country while agreat number of them have beengranted scholarships to pursuefurther studies and trainingabroad.

“Significantly, the recent

results of entrance examinationsat tertiary and higher institutionsin previous years show that ouryouths have gained outstandingresults as well as the exceptional

pe rf or ma nc e re co rd ed atHermann Gmeiner schools,”Mr Soumata said.

Apart from providingfamily-based care, SOSChildren’s Villages Laos alsooffers scholarships to poor anddeprived children who are atrisk of losing their families and

parental care.In addition, some villages

have established projects toaddress the problem ofmalnutrition among children aswell as centres for promoting

mother and child health andother related services which have

brought about satisfaction andhappiness among the people to

benet from them.However Mr Soumata

noted that despite the saidachievements, there are a numberof areas which SOS Children’sVillages Laos should continueto address.

Firstly, it needs to improveSOS Lao family-based care;secondly, some SOS mothershave resigned from their dutiesafter four to ve years of workand there are cases wheremothers have not been ableto provide proper and typicalfamily-based care.

Thirdly, the improper behaviour expressed by somechildren remains a key challengewhich needs to be addressed byall SOS stakeholders. HoweverMr Soumata noted that therehave been similar challengesthroughout the region andwas confident they could beaddressed.

Participants from SOS International, SOS Asian and SOS Children’s Villages Laos pose for a groupphoto during the recent workshop.

Saravan province 16.1C, Xekong province 12.2C, and Attapeu province 19.1C.

Many other countries havealso been affected by unusually

cold weather.Temperatures have droppedin other parts of South EastAsia as well, including Vietnamand Thailand. In Bangkok,which rarely sees temperatures

bel ow 20C, a min imum of16C was recorded on Sunday,

while Vietnam had its coldestweather in about two decadesover the weekend with Hanoirecording a 6C minimum.

Taiwanese media reported

a rash of deaths f romhypothermia and cardiacdisease following a suddendrop in temperatures over theweekend.

Meanwhile heavy snowforced the closure of the airporton the Korean holiday island of

Jeju, with all ights cancelled.The cold spell has also hit

Hong Kong, southern Chinaand Japan, BBC News reportedyesterday.

Now storms have hit large parts of Japan as well, withmore than 600 domestic ightscancelled across the country onSunday and Monday. At leastve people have died from thesnow so far and more than 100have been injured in Japan.

Northern provinces hit ... FROM PAGE 1

Times Reporters

Maintaining loyalty to thenation, Party and people while

pursuing national development

and defence remains the goal ofthe Lao People’s Army.

Minis ter of DefenceLieutenant General SengnouanXayalath gave this message ata meeting held in Vientianeyesterday to commemorate thearmy’s 67th anniversary thisyear on January 20.

He reminded the audienceabout January 20, 1949,when President KaysonePhomvihane founded the LaoIssara (Liberation) Amy inthe revolutionary strongholdof Huaphan province, whicheventually led to the formationof the current Lao People’sArmy.

L t G e n S e n g n o u a n

highlighted the traditions ofthe army, and spoke of itstriumphant battles for nationalliberation and its growth in the

process of national defence.He talked of the army’s

bravery, tactics, and diligencein working and learning, andalso mentioned the army’sloyalty to the Party, nation, and

people of Laos.His speech praised the

army’s adherence to socialistideology and its tradition ofsolidarity with the peoples andarmies of socialist countriesand progressive nations aroundthe world.

“We count democracy asour goal and as a stimulant

to the nation’s revolutionarymission, so the enhancementof democracy is a processclosely related to all sectors inthe country,” the minister said.

“Our army always fullyrespects and implements theentire people’s ownership,”he added.

The army celebration took

Army marks 67thanniversary

Lt Gen Sengnouan Xayalath awards medals to a group of militaryofcers who have made outstanding contributions.

place to mark the success of lastweek’s 10th Party Congress.

Lt Gen Sengnouan noted thearmy’s aspiration to implementthe resolution adopted by thecongress and to broaden the

ne traditions of the nation andthe army.

The army will continue to build relations with people at thegrassroots level in the processof national development,

building preparedness amongall people for national defenceand security.

The Lao People’s Army

aims to keep promoting peaceand stability and internationalcooperation, which it will do

by strengthening relationshipswith fraternal armies, absorbingthe Party and government’s

foreign policy, and enhancingParty guidance and the finetradition of the nation andarmy.

An awards ceremony foroutstanding contributions onthe part of army divisionsand units took place at arecent parade to mark the 40thanniversary of the Lao PDR.

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4 Vientiane TimesHome news Tuesday January 26, 2016

News in Brief

Times Reporters

The Korea Foundation for InternationalHealthcare (KOFIH) has provideda Chromosome Laboratory for the

University of Health Sciences inVientiane.The Chromosome Laboratory

will be the first facility in Laoswhere chromosomes can be studiedmicroscopically and analysed.Chromosomes are thread-like structureswithin each cell nucleus and contain the

body’s genetic blueprint.Each chromosome contains

thousands of genes in specificlocations. These genes are responsiblefor a person’s inherited physicalcharacteristics and have a profoundimpact on growth, development, andfunction.

The new lab wi l l de tec tabnormalities in the structure of a

person’s chromosome. But it requiresexperience and expertise to perform

tests properly and to interpret theresults. For this reason, Dr VirasengRajpho spent six months being trainedat the Seoul National UniversityCollege of Medicine in the Republicof Korea.

The laboratory is a partnership project with the Dr Lee Jong WookSeoul project. The laboratory issupported by the Dr Lee Jong WookSeoul project and funded by theKOFIH.

It has been provided withequipment and other assistance at acost of US$82,000 (about 667 millionkip) by the KOFIH.

An opening ceremony for thelab took place at the University of

Health Sciences on Monday and was

attended by Minister of Health Prof. DrEksavang Vongvichit, Ambassador ofthe Republic of Korea to Laos Mr KimSoo-Gwon, and other ofcials.

The chromosome testing andanalysis performed in the new lab willallow doctors to observe disorders anddiseases in unborn children that cannot

be detected using ultrasound.Chromosome disorders can be

found in any human cell, but in practice,tests are usually performed on amnioticuid.

Some chromosomal disordersthat may be detected include Down’ssyndrome (Trisomy 21) and Edwards’syndrome (Trisomy 18), two disordersresulting from an extra chromosome

which cause mental retardation. These

and other disorders were previouslyvery difficult to detect using onlyultrasound technology.

The lab will also make chromosomeanalysis available for adults for the rsttime ever in Laos. These tests, whichuse blood or bone marrow, can conrmchromosome disorders that may becausing infertility, developmental delay,habitual abortion and other disorders,the causes of which were previouslya mystery.

The lab will adopt the same modelof quality testing used at the CytogeneticLaboratory, Seoul National UniversityCollege of Medicine, with a focus onchromosome analysis, education, anddiagnosing chromosomal disorders.

Minister of Health Prof. Dr Eksavang Vongvichit (centre) cuts a ribbon at theopening ceremony of the chromosome laboratory on Monday.

First chromosome labopens in Laos

Pakngum district strides ahead with development

Authorities in Pakngum district, Vientiane, recently collected morethan 67 million kip from local residents and businesses to repairan 8km road in Natham village. The road has now been resurfacedand can be used in both the dry and wet seasons, according to theVientiane Mai Newspaper. Primary and secondary schools in thedistrict have also been repaired, many households have receivedcerticates declaring them to be cultural families, and some villageshave achieved drug-free status.

Investors undertake more than 500 projects in Xayaboury

Over the past ve years, Xayaboury province has attracted domesticand foreign investment in more than 500 projects, the Socio-Economic

Newspaper reported recently. The province’s economy has grown atan average of 9 percent a year, with GDP rising to more than 7 trillionkip in the past ve years.The agriculture and forestry sector has grown by 4.5 percent, industry

by 13 percent and the service sector by 13 percent. Investors have ploughed 3 trillion kip into 305 social and economic projects, with thegovernment investing more than 930 billion kip, individuals more than 1trillion kip, and banks more than 1 trillion kip.

Four motorbike thieves arrested

Oudomxay province police recently arrested four men who stole11 motorbikes in Oudomxay and Xayaboury provinces, the Khuamsangob Newspaper reported recently. The police arrested therst suspect, Mr Sao, 22, from Pakbaeng village in Baeng district,who confessed that he and the other three men stole the motorbikes.

Police later arrested the remaining three thieves, who said they soldthe stolen motorbikes for one to two million kip each.The other three thieves were named as Mr Xay, 27, and Mr Niem, 27,from Baeng district in Oudomxay province, and Mr Done, 21, fromDonexay village in Chomphet district, Luang Prabang province.

Vientiane court imprisons four drug dealers

A Vientiane court has handed down a ne of 28 million kip and sixyears imprisonment to one drug dealer and nes of 10 million kip andve years imprisonment to three other drug dealers.Police last week reported that they arrested the rst suspect, MrBounheng, 33, from Elai-Tai village, Naxaithong district, Vientiane,and seized 170 amphetamine pills in his possession. The suspectconfessed that he had sold the drugs to three other dealers, whom

police later arrested. The three dealers were named as Ms Nilamon,37, Mr Honeda, 25, and Mr Thongmany, 23, all of Elai-Tai village, the Khuamsangob Newspaper reported.

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Vientiane Times Tuesday January 26, 2016 Photo news 5

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of ForeignAffairs Thongloun Sisoulith (right ) escorts USSecretary of State John Kerry to a meeting atthe Ministry of Foreign Affairs yesterday. MrKerry was in Laos for a two-day ofcial visitfrom January 24-25 in response to an invitationfrom Mr Thongloun.

US Secretary of State John Kerry (right ) visits theThat Luang Stupa yesterday.

Prime Minister Thongsing Thammavong ( fourth right ), Mr John Kerry ( fth right ) and Lao andUS ofcials pose for group photo at the Government Ofce yesterday when the US delegationled by Mr Kerry called on the prime minister.

The DVV Internationalregional ofce yesterday handsover 2,500 calendars and 5,000diaries to the Department of

Non-Formal Education of theMinistry of Education andSports. Present on the occasionwere the Regional Director ofDVV International to Laos,Mr Uwe Gartenschlaeger( front, left ), Director of theDepartment of Non-FormalEducation, Dr Ka Saleumsouk( front, right ) and DeputyMinister of Education andSports, Mr Lytou Bouapao.-- Photos Phetphoxay

People in Xamneua district, Huaphan province,yesterday awoke to what they swore was snowafter the temperature dropped to 0 degrees Celsiusovernight.

Branches are covered in icicles while frost blanketed the ground and people’s roofsyesterday in the villages of Salia and Nasalain Xamneua district.

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6 Vientiane TimesTuesday January 26, 2016

Region

In brief from AsiaNews Network

Jeju airportresumes operations

KOREA (The KoreaHerald) -- JejuInternational Airport

resumed operations atnoon on Monday aftera 42–hour closure dueto heavy snow and highwinds. Nearly 86,000

people were strandedand some 1,100 ightswere canceled on thesouthern resort islandover the weekend andearly Monday.The island recordedits biggest snowfallin three decades at11 centimeters as ofSunday, with morethan 1 meter of snow inmountain areas.

Five carjackers

killed at Comeleccheckpoint in Nueva EcijaCABANATUAN CITY,Philippine (PhilippineDaily Inquirer) -- Fivesuspected car thieveswere killed before dawnMonday when theytried to crash through a

police checkpoint in theScience City of Muñozin Nueva Ecija.Police said that beforethe incident theywere alerted aboutthe theft of a tricyclein Talavera town. Atabout 3 am, ve menaboard a tricycle and

a motorcycle tried to plow through a policecheckpoint set up atthe start of a Comelecgun ban in Barangay(village) SapangCauayan. One of themen opened re atthe police triggering agunbattle that left theve men dead, policesaid.Probers believe thatthat tricycle used by thefatalities was the onestolen from Macario dela Cruz.

Nations agree toupgrade ties and

work together on Belt and Road InitiativeCHINA (China Daily)-- Observers haveexpressed high hopes forChina’s role in helpingIran reinvigorate itseconomy, which has

been weakened by threedecades of internationalsanctions. President XiJinping and his Iraniancounterpart, HassanRouhani, agreed toupgrade their countries’two-way relationshipto a comprehensivestrategic partnershipduring talks in Teheran

on Saturday. Iran wasthe nal stop on Xi’sthree-nation Middle Easttrip, with the presidentarriving back in Beijingon Sunday. It was therst visit to the country

by a Chinese leader for14 years.

NEW DELHI (AP) -- FrenchPresident Francois Hollande

began a thr ee- day vis it toIndia on Sunday that could

push a mult ib il lion-do llardeal for combat airplanesand closer cooperation oncounterterrorism and cleanenergy.

Hollande landed in thenorthern city of Chandigarhwhere Indian Prime Minister

Narendra Modi joined himat official engagements and

lauded France’s decision toinvest US$1 billion every yearin India in various sectors.

Chandigarh was designedin the 1950s by Swiss-Frencharchitect Le Corbusier and isone of three places France has

pledged to help develop asso-called “smart cities” - withclean water supplies, efcientsewage disposal and publictransportation.

Hollande and French bus ine ss lea der s met wi th

their Indian counterparts to boost bilateral trade, whichin 2014 was US$8.6 billion.

New Delhi is also trying toencourage French companiesto tap into India’s economic

boom.Modi in his speech said

India was looking forward toFrench expertise in defense

prod uct ion, developi ngrailways and waterways, andghting global warming andterrorism.

French President Francois Hollande (second left ) shakes hands with Indian Prime Minister NarendraModi next to Indian President Pranab Mukherjee (left ), during the ceremonial reception at RashtrapatiBhavan, the presidential palace, in New Delhi, India. --Photo AP

French president in India tostrengthen strategic ties

Hollande is accompanied by the ministers of defense,foreign affairs, economy andculture and dozens of topcorporate leaders.

On Sunday , A i rbusHelicopters and India’sMahindra Defense, a privatecompany, signed a “statementof intent” in the presence of thetwo leaders to produce militaryhelicopters in India as a jointventure.

“Mahindra India andAirbus Helicopters haveagreed on a blueprint thatcan put India on the worldmap for military helicoptermanufacturing,” said Pierrede Bausset, president of theAirbus Group India. Detailswere not immediately known.

Hollande will hold talkswith Indian leaders in NewDelhi on Monday and be aguest of honor on Tuesdayat India’s Republic Day

parade, celebrating 66 yearssince the country adopted itsconstitution.

High on the agenda isIndia’s desire to purchase 36Rafale combat planes for itsair force, which Modi hadannounced during a visit toParis in April, touching offseveral rounds of negotiationsover pricing, offsets andservicing.

In an interview with thePress Trust of India newsagency, Hollande hinted itmight take some more time to

sign the deal.“ A g r e e i n g o n t h e

t e c h n i c a l i t i e s o f t h i sarrangement obviously takestime, but we are on the righttrack,” PTI quoted Hollandeas saying.

France has also promisedsupport for India’s clean-energy quest, including asolar energy alliance launchedlast month during the globalclimate talks held in Paris.

“Our bilateral relationshipw i t h F r a n c e i s v e r ycomprehensive. It coversa number of sectors suchas defense, civil nuclearcooperation, railways, smartcities, science and research,space and culture. In all theseareas we expect some forward

progress during the French pr es id en t’s vi si t, ” Vika sSwarup, India’s ExternalAffairs Ministry spokesman,said last week.

The two sides are alsoexpected to touch on anti-terrorism efforts includingspeeding up extraditionrequests and cracking downon money laundering used tofund militant activities.

Swarup noted that bothcountries had been hit bymilitants recently, with 130

people killed across Paris on November 13 and a four-daysiege against the north Indian airforce base of Pathankot earlierthis month in which seven Indiansoldiers were killed.

BANGKOK (AP) -- A largechunk of metal that could

be from an aircraft washedashore in southern Thailand,

but Malaysian authorities havecautioned against speculationof a link to a Malaysia Airlinesight missing almost two years.

The location on the easternside of Thailand where the debriswas found also means it is highly

unlikely that the material is fromthe missing plane.F l i g h t 3 7 0 l o s t

communications and made asharp turn away from its Beijingdestination before disappearingin March 2014. It is presumedto have crashed in the Indian

Thai people look at a large chunk of metal found on a beach in Nakhon Si Thammarat province,Thailand. --Photo AP

Large metal chunk investigatedafter washing onto Thai beach

Ocean, and only one piece ofdebris has been identified ascoming from the plane, a slabof wing that washed ashore onReunion Island in the westernIndian Ocean last July.

Malaysian TransportMinister Liow Tiong Lai saidhe instructed Malaysian civilaviation officials to contactThailand about the newly

found wreckage, a curved piece of meta l measur ingabout 2 meters by 3 metres(6 ½ feet by 10 feet) withelectrical wires hanging fromit and numbers stamped on itin several places.

“I urge the media and the

public not to speculate becauseit will give undue pressure tothe loved ones of the victims ofMH370,” he said.

Thailand’s TransportationMinistry said four Malaysianofcials and two Thai expertswill visit the site Monday.

The debris was found onthe eastern coast of southernThai land’s Nakkon Si

Thammarat province, about 600kilometres south of Bangkok onthe Gulf of Thailand.

While debris can driftthousands of kilometres onocean currents, that locationwould be a surprise based on thedata from Flight 370.

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia(AP) -- Malaysia’s leader onMonday defended the country’sstrict security laws, saying theyare needed to ght terrorism asthe Islamic State group warnedof revenge over a crackdown onits members.

Prime Minister Najib

Razak said the terrorism threatis “very real” and that thelaws are crucial to ensureMalaysia is not open toinfiltration. Opening a two-day international counter-terrorism conference, Najibsaid he will not apologise fortaking steps to preserve nationalsecurity.

“There are no civil libertiesunder Daesh and there are noshields against those who are seton committing acts of terrorism.The best way to uphold civilliberties is to ensure the safetyof the nation,” Najib said.

Daesh is the term used bysome to refer to the Islamic Stategroup. Najib said digital media

has emerged as the new frontierin the anti-terror war to counterthe “seductive approaches of themilitants” and their lies aboutIslam.

Human rights activists haveslammed a law implementedlast year that revives detentionwithout trial. Critics also voicedfears that another law approved

Malaysian PM defendsstrict security laws to

ght terrorismlast month that gives sweeping

power s to a counc il led bythe prime minister could be astep toward dictatorship. Policeearlier said the Islamic Stategroup had posted a video thatwarns of attacks over the arrestof its members.

Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay,

who heads the national policecounter-terrorism unit, said onthe sidelines of the conferencethat the video carried theIslamic State logo and featuredtwo Malaysians based in Syria.He said there were previousvideos with similar warnings

before but this was the rstvideo with a logo of themilitant group.

“They threaten to carry outattacks in Malaysia” if theirmembers are not released andmore are arrested, said Ayob,vowing that police will step uptheir operations.

On Sunday, police saidthey had detained seven mensuspected of being an Islamic

State militant cell that was plot ting attacks. The sevenMalaysians were detained inseveral states over three daysafter the January 15 detention ofa man police said was planning asuicide attack in Kuala Lumpur.

Police also seized bullets, jihad books and Islamic Stateags and videos.

7/21/2019 2016 VTN Issue 021


Vientiane Times 77Tuesday January 26, 2016 Region

HANOI (Vietnam News,ANN) -- Party GeneralSecretary Nguyen Phu Tronghas been nominated for beingre-elected to the country’stop post, Central Committee

member Vu Trong Kimconrmed in an interview withlocal media on Sunday.

The ofcial also said thatcurrent Deputy Prime Minister

Nguyen Xuan Phuc has beennominated for the post of PrimeMinister, Public SecurityMinister Tran Dai Quang forPresident and Vice-Chair ofthe National Assembly (NA)

Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan is torise to Chairwoman.

Participants in the 12th Na ti on al Pa rt y Co ng re ssworked in their delegationsyesterday to appraise thestandards and structure of the12th Party Central Committeeand the list of nominations

fielded by the 11th PartyCentral Committee.

Speaking on the sidelinesof the Congress, Kim, an

Nominees conrmed for

key Party positions11th Party Central Committeemember and Vice Presidentof the Vietnam FatherlandFront Central Committee,said the personnel for thenext tenure was thoroughly

prepared during the 12th, 13thand 14th meetings of the 11thParty Central Committee.

In particular, the 14thmeeting geared up personnelfor the four key leading

po si ti on s. Th e Po li tb ur oreported that it discussed eachcase and reached a consensus.Some nominees withdrew

proactively.At the 14th meeting, the

11th Party Central Committeediscussed three options, castsecret ballots and nally agreedto nominate incumbent PartyGeneral Secretary NguyenPhu Trong to be re-elected tothis position in the next tenure.

Such preparations for key

positions were thorough anddemocratic, he said, adding thatthe Party Central Committee –the supreme leading body

bet ween two congre sse s –fulfilled its responsibilitytoward the Congress.

In his closing speech at the14th meeting, Party GeneralSecretary Nguyen Phu Trong

stressed that the meetingwas successful and sent agood message on personnel

preparat ions to the enti re people, Kim noted.

Delegate Cao Duc Phat,a member of the 11th PartyCentral Committee andMinister of Agriculture andRural Development, said thatthrough a strict process, the11th Party Central Committeeselected and nominated peoplewith sufcient qualicationsand virtue to fulll their rolesin the country’s new phase ofdevelopment.

The carefully preparedles on the candidates serveas a basis for the Congress’s

delegates to consider andselect the most capable and

prestigious people for the 12thParty Central Committee.

PHNOM PENH (Xinhua)-- Cambodian Prime MinisterHun Sen on Monday called

for more investment in ricestorage facilities and dryingmachines in order to increasethe country’s rice exportcapacity.

Speaking at the openingceremony of the 5th CambodiaRice Forum here, Hun Sen

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen speaks during the openingceremony of the 5th Cambodia Rice Forum in Phnom Penh,Cambodia. --Photo Xinhua

Cambodian PM calls for moreinvestment in rice storage

said the lack of rice storagefacilities and drying machinesis a key challenge for the

country in buying a largeamount of paddy rice fromfarmers and more investmentin these sectors is needed.

“The government ofCambodia has been negotiatingwith China for loans toconstruct storage facilities and

drying machines across thecountry,” he told the forum,which took part by some 700

people who are policy makers,rice millers, exporters, farmer-representatives, and transportcompany representatives.

The prime minister saidChina is the largest importerof milled rice from Cambodiaand expressed his condencethat the world’s second largesteconomy would continue tosupport Cambodia in riceindustry development.

Meanwhile, Hun Sen saidthe government would continueto invest in irrigation system,rice species production, andtransportation infrastructurein order to facilitate thedevelopment of rice industry.

Cambodia exported a totalof 538,396 tonnes of milledrice to over 50 countries andregions last year, up 39 percentyear-on-year, according to the

government’s gures.The Southeast Asian

country made over 9.2 milliontonnes of paddy rice last year.With this amount, the countrywill have over 3 million tonnesof milled rice left over forexports this year.

TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) -- Anunusually cold weather fronthas been blamed for killing57 mostly elderly people inTaiwan’s greater Taipei area.The cold wave abruptly

pu she d tem pe rat ur es toa 16-year record low of 4degrees Celsius (39.2 degreesFahrenheit) in the subtropicalcapital where most homes lackcentral heating, causing hearttrouble and shortness of breathfor many of the victims, a cityofcial said.

“In our experience, it’snot the actual temperature

but the sudden drop tha t’stoo sudden for people’scirculatory systems,” said acity spokesman who identied

Dozens of deaths blamed on rarecold snap in Taiwan

himself only by his surname,Chang.

The cold snap was blamedin the deaths of 40 people inthe capital, Taipei, while theneighbouring NewTaipei Cityattributed an additional 17 deathsto the cold weather. Strokes andhypothermia were among thecauses of death in New TaipeiCity, ofcials there said.

Temperatures in Taipeiaverage 16 degrees C (60degrees F) in January,according to Taiwan’s CentralWeather Bureau. Because ofthe relatively mild norms,most households in Taiwanlack central heating, anothersuspected factor in the recentdeaths.

New Taipei City said itwas providing shelter for 91homeless people endangered

by the cold.The cold front also left

9 centimetres of snow onTaipei’s highest peak Saturdayand stranded vehicles as peopleheaded into the mountains tosee the snow.

The same polar frontclosed schools Monday inHong Kong, where 130 peoplehad been trapped at day earlieron a peak in the city that alsoseldom gets such cold weather.Hong Kong temperaturesreached 3.1 degrees Sunday.

Temperatures in Taipei areforecast to reach 17 degreesTuesday.

JAPAN (Kyodo News,ANN) -- Swathes ofwestern Japan and Seaof Japan coastal areascontinued to see heavysnowfall Monday due toa strong winter pressure

p a t t e r n , c a u s i n gdisruption to majortransportation networksand prompting theweather agency to warnagainst avalanches.

A b o u t 1 1 0 passengers on a SanyoShinkansen bul le ttrain bound for Shin-Osaka Station stayedovernight on the trainat JR Okayama Station,western Japan, after thetrain arrived around 2am on Monday. Thetrain had been strandeden route for abouttwo hours due to a

breakdown of railwayequipment, apparentlycaused by snow.

In Nichinan, TottoriPrefecture on the Sea ofJapan coast, an 88-year-old woman died andher son and his wifesuffered leg injuriesafter a landslide hit theirhouse at around 4:40 amMonday.

A shinkansen bullet train (centre) runs in a snow-dusted Nagoya, centralJapan. --Photo Kyodo

Snow continues in west Japan

YANGON (Xinhua) - -Commander-in-Chief ofMyanmar’s Defense Services

Senior-General Min AungHlaing has voiced support forthe new government and the new

parliament to ensure rule of lawand achieve long-lasting peacein the country, the ofcial mediareported Monday.

Min Aung Hlaing madethe pledge when he met withmembers of the Myanmar Media

Council in Nay Pyi Yaw.Media are indispensable for

the nation particularly at a time

when the nation is being builtanew. The end of armed conictsis of vital importance to peaceand development, he said.

H e u r g e d m e d i a professionals to make the publicaware of the democratic practiceand stressed the need to reportevents in a positive manner.The Myanmar Media Council

was formed by 27 members on November 11, 2015 with U KhinMaung Lay as chairman. The

current term of the parliamentand the government, producedthrough the 2010 generalelection and ran from 2011,will expire on January 30 andMarch 30 respectively when anew parliament and governmentwill take ofce in accordancewith the result of the November8 general election in 2015.

Myanmar military chief voicessupport for new gov’t

BANGLADESH (The DailyStar, ANN) -- Ferry serviceon Paturia-Daulatdia routeresumed this morning aftertwo hours of disruption caused

by dense fog.M a h i u d d i n R u s s e l ,

manager of BIWTA’s Arichas ta t ion, sa id they keptsuspended ferry service on theroute from 7:00am to 9:10am

Ferry service on Paturia-Daulatdia route resumes after two hours of disruption caused by dense fog.-- (File photo The Star)

Ferry service on Paturia-Daulatdiaroute resumes

due to blurred visibility caused by dense fog.

Earlier, the ferry serviceon the route was suspendedaround 7:00am as thick fogenveloped the area.

The obstacle left fiveferries remained stranded atPaturia while six at Daulatdiaghats. Besides, four ferries -Khan Jahan Ali, Kopoti, Hasna

Hena and Shapla Shaluk - werestranded in the mid-river dueto poor visibility caused by thefog, he said.

About f ive hundredvehicles, including buses,trucks and cars, remainedstranded along with severalhundred passengers in the mid-river and on both ends of thisimportant route.

7/21/2019 2016 VTN Issue 021



World

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP)-- A magnitude-7.1 quakeknocked items off shelves andwalls in Alaska early Sundaymorning, jolting the nerves of

residents in this earthquake- prone region. There were noreports of injuries, but fourhomes were lost to explosionsor re following the quake.

Alaska’s state seismologist,Michael West, called it thestrongest earthquake in thestate’s south-central region indecades. Alaska often has largeror more powerful earthquakes,such as a 7.9 last year in theremote Aleutian Islands.

“However, last night’searthquake is significant

because it was close enoughto Alaska’s popula t ioncenters,” West said, addingthat aftershocks could continuefor weeks.

The earthquake was widelyfelt by Anchorage residents.But the Anchorage and Valdez

police departments said theyhadn’t received any reports ofinjuries or signicant damage.

The earthquake struck atabout 1:30 am. Alaska timeand was centered 85 kilometreswest of Anchor Point in theKenai Peninsula, which isabout 257 kilometres southwestof Anchorage, according to theUS Geological Survey.

Vincent Nusunginya, 34,of Kenai said he was at hisgirlfriend’s house when thequake hit.

“It started out as a shakingand it seemed very much like

Items fallen from the shelves litter the aisles inside a Safeway grocery store following a magnitude 6.8 earthquake on the KenaiPeninsula. --Photo AP

Magnitude-7.1 quake jolts Alaska; 4 homes lost

a normal earthquake. Butthen it started to feel like anormal swaying, like a verysmooth side-to-side swaying,”said Nusunginya, directorof audience at the PeninsulaClarion newspaper. “It wasunsettling. Some things gotknocked over, but there wasno damage.”

Four single family homes in

Kenai were lost to explosionsor fire in the wake of theearthquake.

Two of the homes weredestroyed in explosions and theother two were fully engulfed

before reghters determined itwas safe enough from gas forthem to enter the homes, Kenai

battalion chief Tony Prior said.“No injuries. Thank God,”

he said. “The second one wasa major explosion. We’refortunate that no one was hurt.”

About 30 homes wereevacuated, and some peopletook shelter at the Kenai

National Guard Armory.Workers with the gas utility

were examining the remaininghomes Sunday afternoon withthe goal of getting displaced

residents back in their homeslater in the day.

The USGS initially reportedthe quake as a magnitude-7.1,

bu t do wn gr ad ed sh or tl yafterward to magnitude-6.8

before raising it back to 7.1.The biggest aftershock

Sunday was magnitude-4.7,and West said a magnitude-5or magnitude-6 aftershock is

possible.There were reports of

scattered power outagesfrom the Matanuska ElectricAssociation and Chugach

Electric in the Anchoragearea. The Homer ElectricAssociation reported on itswebsite that about 4,800customers were without powerearly Sunday in the KenaiPeninsula.

The Alaska Departmentof Transportation reported onits Facebook page that therewas road damage near thecommunity of Kasilof, on theKenai Peninsula.

Alaska Gov. Bill Walkersaid in a statement Sunday thathe was relieved there wasn’tmore damage.

He urged all Alaskans tohave a response plan for whena major natural disaster takes

place.The hashtag #akquaketrended early Sunday onTwitter as people shared theirexperiences and posted photosof items that had fallen offwalls and shelves.

Andrew Sayers, 26, ofKasilof was watching televisionwhen the quake struck.

“The house started to shakeviolently. The TV we werewatching fell over, stuff felloff the walls,” he said. “Disheswere crashing, and we sprintedtoward the doorway.”

Later, he was driving tohis mother’s home when hecame across a stretch of roadthat was damaged in the quake.

MOSCOW (Xinhua) -- Russiahas warned that its relations withBritain could further deteriorateafter a British government’sinquiry said that PresidentVladimir Putinmight play a rolein the death of a former Russianspy in London.

According to the report of aBritish public inquiry releasedThursday, former Russian spy

Alexander Litvinenko was“deliberately poisoned” andhis murder was “probablyapproved” by Russian PresidentVladimir Putin.

In response to the Britishreport, Russian foreign ministryspokesperson Maria Zakharovarefuted the allegations, sayingthat Britain’s handling of the casewas “opaque” and “politicized”.

An outspoken critic of Putin,Litvinenko died at a Londonhotel in 2006 at the age of43, after drinking green teareportedly laced with the deadlyradioactive polonium.

He ed to Britain in 2000and became a British citizenin 2006.

The British report saidLitvinenko’s former colleaguesDmitry Kovtun and AndreyLugovoy deliberately poisonedLitvinenko with polonium-210.

It is said the agent diedthree weeks after meeting withKovtun and Lugovoy in London,and British authorities thensuspected the two of poisoning

Russia warns of deterioratingrelations with Britain over

poisoned agent caseLitvinenko with the radioactiveisotope.

A public inquiry intoLitvinenko’s death was formallyestablished by the Britishgovernment in July 2014.

Lugovoy on Friday said ina TV show that he would notleave Russia or go to court toclear his name.

“I don’t intend to do that,

because if I go into that, it meansI will attach importance to whatthe British are doing,” he said.

Lugovoy have said that hehad passed a polygraph testconducted by British experts,which proves that he was notguilty of murdering the formerFSB agent. Kovtun, currentlya businessman, said that theRussian side continued its owninvestigation of the case.

The British side, however,refused to accept relevantdocuments provided bythe Russian InvestigativeCommittee, Lugovoy added.

A lawmaker of the lowerhouse of Russian parliament,the State Duma, Lugovoy

said the British report only proved “London’s anti-Russianstance, narrow-mindedness andreluctance to establish the truecause of Litvinenko’s death.”

“The case has became aconvenient way for London toachieve its political interests,”RIA Novosti news agencyquoted Lugovoy as saying.

LISBON, Portugal (AP)-- A center-right candidatescored a resounding victoryin Portugal’s presidentialelection Sunday, warninghe would use the largelyceremonial post to preventthe center-left anti-austeritygovernment from worseningthe debt-heavy country’snancial health.

Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa,a veteran moderate politicianand law professor, collectedmore than half the votesagainst nine rivals.

With 99 percent of thevotes counted, Rebelo deSousa won 52 percent while

Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa sings the national anthem after winningPortugal’s presidential election. --Photo AP

Portugal’s new president demandsnancial discipline

his nearest rival came in withless than half of that.

Rebelo de Sousa willmove into the head of state’sriverside pink palace in Lisbonin March, replacing AnibalCavaco Silva, who has servedthe maximum of two ve-yearterms.

The president has noexecutive power, and is largely

a figurehead, but can be aninuential voice and in a crisishas the power to dissolveParliament if he feels thecountry is going off track.

A Socialist minoritygovernment runs Portugal withthe backing of the Communist

Party and the radical Left Bloc.The government is trying to

pull off a balancing act byending austerity measureswhile pledging to continuethe nancial prudence adoptedafter Portugal’s 78 billion-euro(US$84 billion) bailout in2011 amid a eurozone nancialcrisis.

The government’s critics

say that is a risky policy inPortugal whose economy isstruggling to gain momentumand where the jobless rate isover 11 percent.

Rebelo de Sousa said in hisvictory speech he expected thegovernment to generate moreeconomic growth “withoutcompromising financial

stability.”At the same time he

promised to be impartial andencourage consensus between

political parties, “healing thewounds” of the recent crisis.

Prime Minister AntonioCosta vowed his “ful lcoope ra t i on” wi t h t he

president.Rebelo de Sousa, 67, has

had a long career in the publiceye, working as a newspapereditor, a popular media

pundi t, a junior member ofgovernments since the 1970s,and a former member of theEuropean Parliament.

Turnout was low Sundayat 52 percent after a dull two-week campaign.

7/21/2019 2016 VTN Issue 021


Vientiane Times 9

Euro 50-500 8,773 8,871

Foreign Currencies Buying Selling

US Dollar 50-100

Thai Baht

8,136

226.66

8,176

228.35

Exchange rates as of January 25, 2016Banque pour le Commerce Exterieur Lao Public

BusinessRead more news at www.vientianetimes.org.la Tuesday January 26, 2016

Times Reporters

The British Government has introducedfree matching services to help Laocompanies and entrepreneurs nd thesuppliers they need. Companies cansign up for this service by April 15 fora chance to attend the InternationalFestival of Business in the UK.

There have been over 80,000responses from British companies tooverseas business opportunities in thelast two years, and there has been ayear-on-year increase of 95 percent,demonstrating that the UK is a world-leading hub and very much open for

business.Trade between Laos and the UK has

also seen steady growth. More and more

TOKYO (AP) -- Japan’s trade decitfell to its lowest level in four years in2015, the Finance Ministry reportedMonday, as import costs dropped thanksto the collapse in oil prices.

Preliminary gures show exportsrose 3.5 percent in 2015 from the year

before, while imports dropped 8.7

percent. The decit compared with arecord 12.8 trillion yen decit in 2014.Japan slipped into decits after the

2011 nuclear accident in Fukushimaled to closures of reactors, pushing upimports of oil and gas.

Japan’s trade balance swung toa surplus in December, as oil pricestumbled and the yen gained againstother currencies.

The December trade surplus of140.2 billion yen (US$1.2 billion)compared with a decit of 379.7 billionyen in November and a decit of 665.6

billion yen in December 2014.However, exports have been

weakening over the past year, as China’seconomy has slowed. After rising 7.9

percent in January-June over the same

period the year before, exports rose ascant 0.6 percent in July-December.Exports to China fell 1.1 percent

in 2015, to 13.2 trillion yen (US$95.8 bill ion) , while expor ts to the US jumped 11.5 percent to 15.2 trillionyen (US$128.6 billion), making theUS Japan’s largest export market.

Japan’s imports of crude oil, gasand other fuels plunged 43 percent inDecember to 1.4 trillion yen (US$11.8

billion). In 2015, they fell 34 percent,

to 18.2 trillion yen (US$154 billion).Weaker than expected demand

in China, which is spilling into otherAsian markets, has hamstrung growth inJapan. Meanwhile, the prolonged boutof low crude oil prices — normally a

boon for a resource-scarce country likeJapan which imports almost all of its oil

and gas — is hindering progress towarda 2 percent inflation goal meant tomark the end of a long spell of growth-dampening deation.

“The contraction in the tradedecit will likely continue, as furtherdeclines in oil prices have kept thevalue of imports declining in thedouble digits,” Merrill Lynch saidin a commentary. But it added that,“With export momentum still weak,industrial production should continueto at-line.”

Analysts said the data raise pressure on Japan’s central bank tofurther ease its already ultra-loosemonetary policy, partly to counterrecent pressures toward appreciationof the yen, which gained value against

the US dollar during the recent bout ofgyrations in global nancial markets.In December, Japan’s exports fell

8 percent from the year before to 6.34trillion yen (US$53.6 billion), whileits imports dropped 18 percent to 6.2trillion yen (US$52.5 billion). Exportsto China dropped 8.6 percent whileexports to the US were 3.4 percentlower than a year earlier. However,exports of cars rose 17.5 percent to 1.1trillion yen (US$9.3 billion).

British companies are opening branchesin Laos, while Lao companies valuethe high quality of British productsand services.

With a network of experiencedcompanies across all sectors, the UKGovernment’s free matching serviceon https://www.events.ukti.gov.uk/

business-is-grea t-2016 is enabling businesses from Laos to benet fromworld-class products and services.

By registering, companies are ableto outline the products or servicesthey need and the UK Governmentwill match them with the right British

business partners.

Health, Technology and creativecompanies that register their details

before April 15 2016 will not only

benefit from being linked up withleading British businesses but also

be in with the chance to attend theInternational Festival of Business 2016in Liverpool as part of a bespoke tradedelegation.

British Ambassador to Laos HughEvans said “This UK governmentservice has already helped companiesin Laos to develop their businessesand we will be helping many more

bus ine sse s in the coming yea rs.The UK has a wealth of experiencein healthcare, technology and thecreative industries sectors and is openfor business. Whatever your business

needs, by registering for this world-leading service, the UK can answeryour call.”

UK helps Lao businesses grow

with British supply chain

S.KOREA (The Korea Herald,ANN) -- South Korea’s exportsof information communicationtechnology products dropped 1.9

percent in 2015 from a year earlieron slow global demand, governmentdata showed Monday.

Outbound shipments of ICT products hit US$172.89 billion in2015, compared to US$176.23 billionin the year before, according to data

compiled by the Ministry of Trade,Industry and Energy.

This marked the first on-year

decline since 2012 when it fell 0.9 percent on-year.

“South Korea’s ICT exportsexperienced difficult marketconditions last year but it did verywell considering that the global ICTindustry growth for 2015 retreated5.8 percent,” said the Trade Ministryin a press release.

Imports, on the other hand, gained3.6 percent on-year to hit US$91.32

billion last year, with the countrylogging a surplus of US$81.56 billionin this sector.

The decrease in ICT exportsfrom Asia’s fourth-largest economywas mostly attributed to decliningshipments of display panels anddigital TVs which fell 6.8 percentand 26.1 percent from a year ago,respectively.

By region, shipments to Chinaand the Association of SoutheastAsian Nations rose 3.8 percent and10.6 percent, respectively, while

those to the European Union and theUnited States fell 23.8 percent and2.6 percent.

S. Korea’s ICT exports slipped on weak demand

A worker makes an examination at a local semiconductor factory.

Japan trade decit falls in

2015 on lower oil import costs

Workers watch shipping and discharging of containers at a port in Tokyo.

7/21/2019 2016 VTN Issue 021


10 Vientiane TimesBusiness Tuesday January 26, 2016

IN BRIEF

Times Reporters

The Vientiane Centre, a high- pro fil e sho ppi ng cen tre inVientiane, hopes that the numberof tenants renting commercialofces will gradually increasedue to the rapid growth of theinvestment environment in Laos.

The offices for rent arelocated at the back of theshopping centre on KhouviengRoad and the company aims tohouse many well-known and

2015 growth likely missed lowered 6 percent goal PHILIPPINE (Philippine Daily Inquirer, ANN) -- The economy likely expanded by less than the

6-percent “realistic” growth rate predicted for last year, mainly due to weak exports, according to

economists polled by the Inquirer last week.

The government will announce the gross domestic product (GDP) growth gures for the fourth

quarter as well as the entire 2015 on Thursday. The domestic economy expanded by an average

of 5.6 percent during the rst three quarters of last year.

The government’s ofcial growth target for 2015 was 7 to 8 percent, but economic managers

had already conceded that the economy could only grow by 6 percent, which called for a GDP

growth rate of at least 6.9 percent in the fourth quarter.

Apple’s frst European app development centre to open in NaplesROME (Xinhua) -- The CEO of US technology powerhouse Apple Inc. announced Friday

the company will open its rst European centre for developing software for mobile devices in

Italy, a surprise announcement described only in broad strokes and that Italian Prime Minister

MatteoRenzi said could help turn Italy into a new European tech centre. But expert observers

told Xinhua Italy would have to improve the country’s business climate in order for Renzi’svision to come to fruition. Tim Cook, Apple’s chief executive, announced the initiative after

meeting with Renzi in Palazzo Chigi, the ofcial residence of Italian head of government. In his

remarks, Cook said Italy’s potential as a high-tech center was on the rise.

Major Australia cities considered “severely unaffordable”: report CANBERRA (Xinhua) -- Surging house prices in Australia’s largest cities has contributed to the

nation being the second least-affordable country to buy a house, a report revealed on Monday.

Runner-up to only Hong Kong, the results of a study by Demographia revealed that the typical

Australian house costs 5.6 times the median household income. The study also showed that in

2016, Australia’s largest city, Sydney, the house price-to-income ratio had suffered the largest

annual increase in the study’s 12-year history.As of 2016, a typical house in Sydney will set a

homeowner back an average of 12.2 times their wage, up from 9.8 times their income in 2014.

Brazilian towns cancel carnival parties amid economic crisisRIO DE JANEIRO (Xinhua) -- As Brazil is feeling the pinch from a deepening economic crisis,

at least 48 towns across the country have decided to cancel carnival festivities due to lack ofresources. Many of the towns affected by economic woes are in the northern states of Paraiba,

Rio Grande do Norte and Tocantins, the central states of Goias and Rondonia and the southern

states of Minas Gerais and Rio de Janeiro, according to web portal G1.

The Brazilian economy shrank 3.8 percent in 2015 as the price of oil and other raw materials

that Brazil exports plunged. The International Monetary Fund said it expected Brazil’s economy

to contract 3.5 percent this year and remain stagnant in 2017. It shrank by 3.8 percent in 2015,

according to the fund.

mega investment companies.In a coup for the centre, the

Laos-China Railway Companysigned a three-year contract forofce rental with the VientianeCentre yesterday, witnessed byofcials from both sides.

“Vientiane Centre’s ofcesfor rent are intended to be acentre for mega investmentcompanies in Laos because theLaos-China Railway Companyis the rst to sign a rental contractwith us,” said the Vientiane

Shopping Centre GeneralManager Mr Li Xiaodong at thesigning ceremony.

He said that more well-known foreign companies will

be placed at the offices butinitially, they must be selected

before renting the ofces.The Vientiane Centre has a

total of eight oors and so farfour oors have been rented byseveral companies, with moreexpected to sign up this year.

When asked about thenumber of shoppers visitingthe centre, Mr Li said there had

been an increase, both in Laoand foreign visitors. They seeabout 3,000 people a day orabout 10,000 visitors a month,he said. Despite the fact thatthe number of shopping mallsin Vientiane is mushrooming,investors are still looking atthe possibility of taking marketshares in commercial buildingsfor ofce rentals.

The shopping centreis a jointly developed three-

phase project by the YunnanConstruction EngineeringGroup Company Limited andKrittaphong Group CompanyLimited.

They have a concession period of 50 years and the optionto extend for a further 20 years.

The Vientiane Centre is one part of the three-phase project,which is being developed on a5.3 hectare site on Nongchanmarsh in Xaysettha district.

Vientiane Centre eyesmore ofce tenants

Vientiane Centre General Manager Mr Li Xiaodong (left ) shakes handswith a representative of the Laos-China Railway Company after signinga three-year contract on ofce rental in Vientiane yesterday.

JAPAN (The Yomiuri Shimbun,ANN) -- Humanoid robots,which move almost as naturallyas humans, are fulfilling anincreasingly broad range of rolesin society.

Behind their popularity areimprovements in sound andimage recognition technologies,and the ability to manufacturerobots with highly developed

powers of expression. Theserobots are currently used justto attract public attention, andfurther technical innovation anda reduction in manufacturingcosts are essential requirementsto disseminate such robots morewidely.

Isetan Mitsukoshi Holdingsis one company eyeing theuse of humanoid robots, andhas begun studying how tointroduce information clerkrobots at its department stores.As an initial step, it plans tohave robots handle receptionservices and inquiries at storesin central Tokyo in a few years.

Isetan Mitsukoshi’s futurevision calls for the robots totake orders, fetch goods and talkwith customers. Human salesstaff will concentrate entirelyon such things as providing

detailed explanations of goods,leading to better customerservice.

Toshiba Corp. installed afemale robot called ChihiraJunko at a commercial complexin Minato Ward, Tokyo, lastyear. When users operate aninput screen, the robot providesinformation on tourist facilitiesand other subjects in Japanese,English or Chinese.

Beginning with “androids,”who made their appearancein a French science-fictionnovel in the latter half of the19th century, humanoid robotshave been depicted in novels,lms and comics. Honda Motor

Co.’s Asimo, a robot capableof walking on two legs, madeits debut at the end of the 20thcentury.

Robots capable of learningfor themselves via artificialintelligence have increased, withSoftBank Group Corp.’s Pepperattracting attention lately.

At a hotel in Huis Ten Bosch,a resort facility in NagasakiPrefecture, robots have beenin charge of checking in guestssince last July. The novelty ofthis development has attractedcustomers, and reductions in staff

costs are expected. Nomura Research Institute

(NRI) has indicated the possibility that about half ofJapan’s labor force could bereplaced by robots or articialintelligence within the next 10to 20 years, particularly thosein roles such as supermarketcheckouts or cleaning.

According to the marketresearch company Fuji KeizaiCo., the scale of the humanoidrobot market is expected to growrapidly, from ¥1.7 billion in 2014to ¥24 billion in 2020.

In order for robots to becomemore common, it is necessaryto anticipate situations in which

they could actually play a role.However, NRI’s Tomota Teradasaid: “Japan is still focusing onrobot manufacturing itself. USand other foreign rms have agreater appetite for putting themto use.”

Robots capable of carryingout precise tasks or holdinghigh-level conversations areexpensive to manufacture, andmass production is currentlydifcult. Makers should have acustomer-oriented perspectiveto develop robots to match theusers’ needs.

LONDON (Xinhua) -- Britain’sBusiness Secretary, the MPSajid Javid, said Sunday he isto launch a major innovation

plan for Britain to herald a newindustrial revolution.

Hailing the start of a fourthindustrial revolution, Javidsaid he wants to make Britaina beacon of new ideas andinnovation.

In a speech released inLondon by the government’sDepartment for Business,Innovation and Skills, Javidsaid: “Britain has a long and

proud history as a hotbedof innovation. We led theIndustrial Revolution over 200years ago when scientic leapsand technological innovations

brought enormous economic be ne f i t s and d r am a t i cimprovements to l ivingstandards.”

“Today, we are living at

Humanoid robots start totake on growing range of jobs

Toshiba Corp.’s female robot Chihira Junko attends to a customer at an information center at AquaCity Odaiba in Minato Ward, Tokyo.

a time of rapid technologicalchange with innovationsin fields such as big data,robotics, drones and synthetic

biology holding the potential torevolutionise the way we workand live our lives - bringing bigopportunities for businessesto tap into these lucrative newmarkets,” said Javid.

“We have the talent, skillsand potential to be a similarlydominant force in what is beingcalled ‘the fourth industrialrevolution’,” said Javid.

Trailing his forthcomingannouncement, Javid said:“In the coming months I willlaunch a new innovation plan,

bringi ng together the wholeof government to support anddrive forward innovation.”

He said the new planwill be aimed at all levels of

business , such as the smal lcompany that created solar-

power mobile cha rgers for people in rural communities,to Britain’s biggest innovatorslike its pharmaceutical giants.

“I also want to make the UKthe world leader in disruptiveand emerging technologies,from graphene to driverlesscars,” he said.

“When we publish this newinnovation plan, the UK willhave a clear framework settingout our approach to ensuring weare leading this fourth industrialrevolution, just as much as wedid the rst,” he added.

The f i r s t I ndus t r i a lRevolution started in Britainaround the mid-1700s andspanned many decades. It sawa transition going from hand

production methods to the ageof the machine, marking a majorturning point in history, withalmost every aspect of daily lifeinuenced in some way.

Britain must be in forefront of “fourth

industrial revolution”: Business Secretary

7/21/2019 2016 VTN Issue 021


Vientiane Times 11

Asean Economic Community

11Tuesday January 26, 2016 Business

SouknilundonSouthivongnorath

A new benchmark e-commerce platform is set to promote Lao products to the Asean EconomicCommunity within the next fewmonths, according to a localentrepreneur.

All Lao products, propertyand other trade will be listedonline at www.laomall.la with aspecic emphasis on promoting

the nation within the AEC.Chairman and CEO of AEK

Group Company Limited, MrOudasack Lasoukanh, toldVientiane Times on Friday thathe got the idea from overseasvisits and was determined toadapt the concept to Laos.

“I saw so many websites inother countries promoting their

products and asked myself whywe can’t do that here in Laos,”he said.

Mr Oudasack said Laos wasfocusing on turning itself into aland-linked nation to integrate

Lao stock market report

Trade Summary

The LSX suffered a minor loss of 1.60 points on Monday, following the 100 kip decrease

of the newly listed stock, SVN. The index managed to close at 1,180.08 points with thin

trading volumes of 6,800 shares, mostly EDL-Gen’s.

EDL-Gen closed unchanged at 5,900 kip for the trading of 5,100 shares, while BCEL also

closed at 5,200 kip during the previous session. The only loser today was SVN, shedding

100 kip to nish at 3,300 kip after closing at 3,400 kip for ten sessions in a row. The other

two stocks, LWPC and PTL, saw no change in prices.Daily Turnover by Investor Types (LAKm)

Last 7 days Trading Information

BCEL-KT Securities Company Limited Email: [email protected]

with other Asean Communitymembers.

“We are a landlocked countryso becoming a land link is a goodway to promote local productsto the region and I see thee-commerce platform as beingimportant to this,” he said.

The AEK Group hasgathered local IT engineersto develop the platform sinceOctober 2015 while adheringto the Law on Electronic

Transactions.The platform is expected

to be fully operational in thenext two months but a betaversion can already be accessed.The company is working withthe Ministry of Science andTechnology as well as the OneDistrict, One Product (ODOP)initiative in the development,and to upload local productsonto the site.

The company last weeksigned an e-commerce and ICTcooperation agreement withthe Lao Development Bank

and plans to collaborate withlogistics companies on productdeliveries.

“We will sell everythingthrough the platform except

prohibited items like drugs ,alcohol, weapons and otherthings,” Mr Oudasack said.

The website will not onlysell local products Laos but iswelcoming those from othercountries, particularly Aseannations.

“Lao people can buysomething from Vietnam orThailand and those people canalso buy things from Laos,”he said.

Vientiane Times foundseveral websites selling similar

products online but the AEKGroup e-commerce platformis somewhat different, havingformalised cooperation withrelated sectors and banks.

“We would like to makethe site perfect before ofciallylaunching it in the next twomonths,” Mr Oudasack said.

E-commerce platform topromote Lao products to AEC

Chairman and CEO of AEK Group Company Limited, Mr Oudasack Lasoukanh (right ), shakes handswith Lao Development Bank Deputy Managing Director, Mr Khamsing Sengkeomahavong, after signingan e-commerce and ICT development cooperation agreement in Vientiane last week.

BRUNEI (The Brunei Times, ANN) -- A Japanese prefecture is hoping to increase its trade withthe sultanate by tapping into the market access

provided by the Trans-Pacic Partnership (TPP).In an interview, Masami Futsuhara, vice

chairman of the Miyazaki Prefectural Assembly,said the prefecture, which specialises inagricultural produce and food detectiontechnologies, is keen on using the TPP to boosttrade with Brunei.

Futsuhara was part of an eight-memberdelegation from the Miyazaki PrefecturalAssembly of Japan which recently visited Bruneifor potential business opportunities.

“We believe that the TPP will better facilitatetrade, in this case, for agricultural products. TheTPP will open up trade and give us more market

access,” he told The Brunei Times.He said the prefecture has a policy exchange

with East Asia in line with its strategy to promotefarm exports. “We’ve exported to countries suchas Taiwan, Hong Kong and also Singapore but wehave a desire to expand our agricultural exportsinto other markets,” he said.

Miyazaki Prefecture is located on KyushuIsland, one of the four main islands in the Japanesearchipelago which houses other prefectures.

SINGAPORE (The StraitsTimes, ANN) -- Asean’s ongoingtrade slump might become theregion’s “new normal”, someeconomists have warned.

The regional trade recession,which has had significantimpact on Singapore’s smallopen economy, is not just atemporary result of tepidglobal growth, according toANZ economists Ng Weiwenand Glenn Maguire. Slowergrowth in large economies likethe United States and China has

been weighing on regional tradesince the global nancial crisis,they noted in a report released.

“Even the most optimisticof forecasts indicate thatfuture growth in the US andChina is going to be mediocrecompared to historical averages,and certainly not as stellar asseen during Asean’s high trade

According to a 2007 research paper byan independent Japanese international affairsorganisation, Kyushu island has been a focal pointfor exchange with East Asian countries beginningin the 1990s when Chinese and South Koreaneconomies were surging.

In the paper, Tadashi Yamamoto, presidentof the Japan Centre for International Exchange,said the seven prefectures in Kyushu have oftencompeted with each other to seek better tieswith their East Asian counterparts. Meanwhile,Futsuhara said the Miyazaki Prefecture, which islocated in the southwestern part of Japan, is well

positioned to deal with Asian neighbours and iskeen to introduce its products to Asean.

Negotiations for the TPP concluded in October5 in the US, after about ve years in which member

countries laboured to strike balanced trade deals.The agreement is expected to set the stage for 21stcentury trade and investment rules in the Asia-Pacic region.

TPP will create a market with a combined GDPof US$30 trillion - which accounts for 40 percentof global GDP - once it is ratied.

The TPP member countries are Australia,Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico,

New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, the US and Vietnam.

Japan prefecture to

expand trade with Brunei

growth period,” they said. “Thismeans for each unit of economicgrowth, imports are expandingless than they used to.”

Besides slower economicgrowth, the slide in demandfor Asian exports can also

be attributed to longer-termstructural trends, said theeconomists. The US economyis on the road to recovery butgrowth has been largely driven

by services instead of the goodstrade.

Meanwhile, China is also

becoming less exposed tointernational trade as it shiftsaway from an industrial-led growth model towardsconsumption and services.

This means Chinesecompanies are increasinglysourcing from within the countryinstead of importing, said theeconomists. This reconguration

of supply chains will “leadto a profound structural shiftin regional trade, especiallywith China emerging both as acustomer and competitor ratherthan merely a factory assembler”,they added. China is Singapore’stop trading partner and exportdestination.

But other economists werenot as downbeat, and believe thatthe slowing trade is a symptom ofa broader transition to a differentmodel of regional trade.

For one thing, intra-Asean

trade will grow in importancerelative to the region’s trade withChina or the US, said UnitedOverseas Bank economistFrancis Tan.

This “big structural shift”will mirror a similar transitionthe region experienced over the

past two decades as China roseto global prominence.

Slow pace of regional trade maybecome the new norm, say experts

Tourists at theMerlion Park inSingapore.

7/21/2019 2016 VTN Issue 021



CARE Internaonal in Lao P.D.RShort Term Consultant

CARE Internaonal in Lao PDR is seeking applicaons for a INTERNATIONAL and/or /NATIONAL consultant to carry out a baseline assessment and mid-term review for the“Northern Uplands Promong Climate Resilience” project for Remote Ethnic Communiesin Phongsaly province, funded by the European Union. The objecve of the project is toenable improved resilience of remote ethnic upland communies, in parcular women, tothe impact of climate variability and change. The project focuses on three results:1) Improved capacity of local stakeholders to assess, plan, and implement CBA in a

parcipatory and gender sensive manner.2) Improved community resilience through the implementaon of CCA and DRR pilot

intervenons that benet women in parcular3) Comprehensive documentaon informs mainstreaming and an enabling CCA/DRR policy

environment for the Northern Uplands.The project will strengthen the capacity of farmer groups to promote understanding ofclimate-related risks to their livelihoods and adapve measures. The project works with 30farmer groups in three districts of Phongsaly. It also engages local government stakeholdersinto adaptaon planning, aiming at increasing their abil ity to integrate adaptaon planningat policy level.The baseline assessment is conducted at the beginning of year two of project implementaonas at this stage of the project farmer groups have decided on preferred livelihood oponsthat will increase climate resilience. The baseline will collect qualitave and quantavedata against select baseline indicators. Key indicators relate to assessing the resilience ofagricultural livelihoods at household level (such as income, prices, and yields from certaincrops as well as asset ownership) as well as data on common agro-ecology pracces, suchas pracces of inter-cropping and atudes towards adopng changes in agro-ecologypracces. The baseline will also explore gender relaons, in parcular with regards toworkload sharing for the parcular livelihood opons selected as part of village adaptaonplans as well as women’s control over assets and access to informaon.

The formave mid-term review will be conducted at the same me as the baseline and willassess eciency, eecveness and relevance of the project strategies towards achieving theoverall objecve to date. It will also include an assessment of how the project is integranggender aspects and provide recommendaons on enhancing contribuon to transformingunequal gender relaons. An assessment of key partnerships will also be part o f this MTR.

Objecves of the consultancyThe key objecves of the consultancy are to provide the following:1. Baseline assessment of key project indicators.2. Formave mid-term review.

Roles and responsibiliesIn consultaon with CARE sta, the consultant is responsible for:• Designing the research methodology• Implemenng the agreed methodology• Training data collectors and oversee data collecon• Support data collectors to work eecvely and to achieve research goals, as well as

learning outcomes• Entering and analysing data, drawing on experience of CARE sta and partners through

workshop discussions• Presenng the inial results to stakeholders• Documenng outcomes (report + data)• Preparaon of a PowerPoint presentaon summarizing the study ndings for use by

CARE with external audiences.CARE will ensure eecve administrave support for the assessment, and provide inputsinto the research process, as determined by the agreed methodology. CARE will also makeavailable preparatory documentaon.

ApplicaonThe applicaon should include a basic work-plan (indicang availability/ming), brief leerof expression of interest and introducon, budget, and sample of a similar piece of work.At a minimum, the quote should include the following:• Fixed price package rate for this assignment, including any ights, accommodaon etc,

as necessary• A concept paper of the proposed methodology• Detailed research planTimingTo be carried out during February-March 2016.Selecon criteria

1 Experience At least 5 years of experience conducng qualitave and quantaveresearch on climate change adaptaon and gender relaons, preferablywith a focus on South East Asia. Technical Advisory experience indeveloping and implemenng monitoring systems of climate changeadaptaon programmes is an asset.

2 Qualicaon Relevant post graduate qualicaons3 Technical skills Survey (e.g. PRA), training (parcipants in PRA), analycal skills, report

wring. Proven skills in tools for monitoring of resilience is an advantage.Ability to work autonomously, and demonstrated skills in leading aresearch project.

4 Language Excellent wrien and spoken English language skills.Experience in the region and Lao language skills are desirable

5 References A minimum of two referee contacts who have managed the proposedconsultant previously

As a maer of course, all consultants are subject to the following policies:• CARE Lao Child Protecon Policy• Terrorist Check Safety and Security Management Plan

• CARE Code of Conduct

How to apply:Please request the full ToR from: CARE-LAO Head oce in Vienane, CARE Laos, PO Box4328, 329/25 Sibounheuang Road, Ban Sibounheuang, Vienane, Or e-mail to request:[email protected]

Deadline for applicaon submissions is COB 28th January 2016

Vacancy Announcement – Naonal Sta Only

Community Development and Monitoring &

Evaluaon Ocer (CD/M&E ocer)

Fondaon Caritas Luxembourg (Caritas) is an internaonal non-government organizaon, working for the fundamental

rights of all people to secure access to food, water, health, educaon, employment and income, around the world.

In Lao PDR Caritas works in Thathom district, Saysomboun Province and Mok district, Xiengkhouang Province,

to eradicate poverty and hunger through sustaining rural livelihood security, reducing community vulnerability

to disaster, promoon of Climate Change Adaptaon, human capital and economic development, advocacy, and

gender and community empowerment.

We are now looking for an experienced, and highly movated Lao Naonal CDO/M&E for Community Disaster

Risk Reducon and Management (CDRRM) Project Phase II and Strengthening Livelihood System Project (SLSP),

in Mok district, Xiengkhouang Province.

Key Responsibility:

1. Work closely with Caritas project team members to support district relevant ocers to conduct PRA for those

villages that have not complete theirs, support district government counterparts to review VDP annually.

2. Develop and strength appropriate M&E system for the project to ensure that project impleme ntaon progress

is follow regularly: monthly, quarterly, six month and annually.

3. Facilitate district government counterpart to prepare report, compile and summary nding from project

monitoring and evaluang by using developed formed regularly.

(Job Descripon is available upon request. Interested candidates are strongly advised to study it before applying)

Requirements Essenal:

At least Ba chelor in Natural Resource Management or Forest and Environmental management or relate elds.

At least 3 years successful full me eld experience of similar responsibilies with another internaonal

organizaon, in development assistance, and/or disaster risk reducon.

Excellent experience and skills in community development including promong income generaon and village

development fund (Saving and Credit).

Excellent knowledge of designin g M&E methodology and tools relevant to the development context.

Excellent IT skills and knowledge relevant to MIS, Data base management, excel, etc.

Ability to comprehend the parcipatory community development pracce and its applicaon.

Ability to work collaboravely and successfully with local communies and local government.

Ability to live, work in Mok district and well understand living condion in the remote area.

Good knowledge of English in wrien and spoken skills.

Good communicaon and able to work in a team environment.

Willing to learn and strong desire to assist poor and vulnerable communies in rural areas.

Requirements Desirable:

Knowledge of ethnic minority language (ie., Hmong and Khmu) or willingness to learn

Specic knowledge or skills in Natural resource Management or Forest & Environmental management.

Experience working in the government sector in rural areas

Ability to think and plan strategically

Candidates who meet the requirements are invited to apply by sending: Applicaon leer, updated Curriculum

Vitae (CV) and copies of relevant cercate by e-mail to the Administraon Manager at: [email protected] or

[email protected] or sending your applicaon to: House No. 111, Unit 06, Ban Saphanthong Neua,

Sisaanak District, Vienane Capital P.O Box: 2079; Tel/Fax: (+856) 21- 412 683 .

Applicaons will close on 29th January 2016

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for an interview

7/21/2019 2016 VTN Issue 021


Vientiane Times 13Tuesday January 26, 2016

7/21/2019 2016 VTN Issue 021



India is one of the oldest civilizaons in the world with a kaleidoscopic variety and richcultural heritage. It has achieved all-round socio-economic progress during the last 67years of its Independence. India has become self -sucient in agricultural produconand is now one of the top industrialised countries in the world and one of the few na-ons to have gone into outer space to conquer nature for the benet of the people. Itcovers an area of 3,287,590 sq. km (1,269,346 sq mi), extending from the snow -

covered Himalayan heights to the tropical rain forests of the south. As the 7th largest

country in the world, India stands apart from the rest of Asia, marked o as it is bymountains and the sea, which give the country a disnct geographical enty. Boundedby the Great Himalayas in the north, it stretches southwards and at the Tropic of Can-cer, tapers o into the Indian Ocean between the Bay of Bengal on the east and theArabian Sea on the west.

67 t h REPUBLIC DAY OF INDIAINDIA @ 67

India has enjoyed longstanding, friendly and mutually supporve relaons with Lao People’s Democrac

Republic (PDR). This relaonship is based upon profound historical and civilizaonal foundaons. India had support-

ed naonal liberaon movements, the independence of colonized countries and the safeguarding of the newly ac-

quired freedom by countries in the region. In dia was also Chairman of the Internaonal Commission for Supervision

and Control (ICSC) on Indo-China.

Polical: There exist excellent polical relaons be-

tween India and Lao PDR. India appreciates Lao PDR’s support

on major issues of regional and internaonal concerns to India,

including our claim for permanent membership of the UN Secu-

rity Council.

Diplomac Relaons: were established in February

1956. In 2016, we celebrate the 60th Anniversary of establish-

ment of diplomac relaons. A number of high-level visits have

taken place between the two countries which include:

Visits from India

President, Dr. Rajendra Prasad in 1956 and President, Smt. Prabha Devisingh Pal in Sep, 2010.

Vice President, M. Hamid Ansari in September, 2015

Prime Minister, Jawahar Lal Nehru in 1954, Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee in 2002 and Prime Minister Dr.

Manmohan Singh, in 2004 for ASEAN Summit

Visits from Lao PDR

Prince Souphanouvong, commonly known as the Red Prince in 1977.

President H.E. Mr. Choummaly Sayasone in August 2008.

Prime Minister, H.E. Mr. Thongsing Thammavong on December 20-21, 2012.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Aairs, H.E. Dr.Thongloun Sisoulith,

in Jan 2010 for 6th JCM meeng, in Sep,2012 for MGC Ministerial Meeng and in

Nov,2013 for ASEM FMMM11 and in August, 2015 for the 8th

JCM Meeng.

Economic and Commercial: Lao PDR and India have signed

several agreements over the past few years, laying down the

essenal framework for bilateral cooperaon in maers relang

to science, technology, economic cooperaon and trade, as well

as in defence and consular maers.

Projects under Lines of Credit: A number of projects have been

supported through Indian Lines of Credit over the past few

years. These include Transmission Lines, Equipment for rural electricaon, hydropower projects. Irrigaon

schemes, construcon of Storage dams and Development of Irrigaon systems etc.

Human Resource Development: India provides over 200 scholarships annually to Lao naonals under variousschemes. T he Lao-India Entrepreneurship Development Centre set up in November, 2004, trains Lao entrepreneurs

for seng up small and medium scale business. The Lao India Centre for English Language Training set up in 2007 is

one of our assistance projects in human resource development.

Bilateral Trade: Metals, ores, machinery, electronic equipment, pharmaceucals and mber are the main products

traded between India and Laos. India has accorded the Duty Free Tari Preference Scheme (DFTP) to Lao PDR. The

Scheme grants Laos duty free access to 94% of India’s total tari lines.

Restoraon of World heritage site at Vat Phou : An on-going project undertaken by the Archeological Survey of

India at a cost of US$ 4.1 million.

Defence Cooperaon: A two member Indian Army Training Team has been providing training support at Kaysone

Phomvihane Academy of Naonal Defence, Vienane .

Indian Diaspora: The 400-strong Indian community has grown in prole over the years. It is engaged in jewellery

trade, the restaurant and hotel industry, manufacturing, garments, mining, plantaons and agarwood. A few mem-

bers work for internaonal organizaons, mulnaonals, consulng organizaons and private busi-

Vice-President HE M. Hamid Ansaripaid an official visit to Lao PDR from17 – 18 September, 2015. This wasthe first visit by an Indian Vice Presi-dent to the country. During the visit hemet and held talks with H. E Mr.Bounnhang Vorachith, Vice President.He called on President H.E Mr Choum-

maly Sayasone and met the PrimeMinister, H E Mr. Thongsing Thamma-vong; Deputy Prime Minister and Min-ister of Foreign Affairs, HE Mr.Thongloun Sisoulith and the Vice Pres-ident of the National Assembly, H E Dr.

Xaysomphone Phomvihane. He laid a wreath at the Soldiers’ Memorial and also visitedthe That Luang Stupa. In the presence of both theVice Presidents, the Umbrella Agreement on im-plementation of Quick Impact Projects in Laos wassigned and the Air Services Agreement betweenthe two countries was initialed. The completedIrrigation Projects in Champassak Province under-taken through a GOI line of credit of US$ 17.34million was formally handed over to the Lao side. An announcement of gifting of 40 computer setsand other office equipment to the Kaysone Phom-vihane Academy of National Defence was madeduring the visit.

All Lao alumni of Indian Universies

and Training Instuons got togetherto relive their days in India on 7 Octo-ber, 2015 at the Indian Embassy. There

are around 1500 Laoans, who have availedof Government of India scholarships in vari-ous disciplines over the years.

The 8th Meeng of the Joint Commission between India

and Lao PDR took place in New Delhi on 10 August, 2015.

HE Mrs Sushma Swaraj,

Minister of External

Aairs and Overseas

Indian Aairs led the

Indian side while the Lao

side was led by Deputy

Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, HE Mr Thongloun

Sisoulith. The enre gamut of bilateral relaons was dis-

cussed and future areas of cooperaon priorized. The

Lao dignitary also called on the Vice President of India, H E Mr. M Hamid Ansari.

Message from Ambassador of India, H E Mr. Ravi Shankar Aisola

O n t h e v e r y h a p py o c c a s i on of In d i a’s 67 t h Re p u b l i c D ay, I e x t e n d my g r e et in g s t o In d i an n a t i o n a l s l i v i n g i n L a o s, L a ot i a n s of In d i a n or i g i nan d t h e p e o p l e of L a o s. L a o s h a s a s p e c i a l p l a c e in t h e h e ar t of In d i aan d f ig ur e s p r om in e n t l y in In d i a’s “A c t E a s t” p o l i c y. W h i l e In d i ah a s e x t en s i v e tra d e a n d c om m e r c i a l c onn e ct i on w it h a l l t h e A S E A N

c ount r i e s, our c o o p er a t i on w i t h t h eCLMV c o unt r i e s i s of s p e c i a l im-

p or t a n c e t o u s. T h e r e c ent ly c o n c l u d e dIn d i a-CL M V Bu s in e s s C o n c l a v e i n M am a l l a pur am i n I n d i a i s o n e e x am p l e oft h i s c onn e ct i on. W e l o o k f o r w a r d t o t h e d a y w h e n a l arg e n u mb er of In d i a nc om p an i e s b o t h i n m anu fa ct u r ing an d s er v i c e s s e ct or a r e p r e s ent i n L a o s c a t e r ing

g o o d s an d s e r v i c e s n o t on l y t o t h e m ar k e t of L a o P DR but t o a l l of A S E A N a n dr e st of t h e w or l d . I a l s o t a k e t h i s o p p or t u n i ty t o w i s h t h e p e o p l e a n d G o v er n- m en t of L a o P D R t h e v er y b e s t f o r t h e ir c h a i r m a n s h i p of A SE A N t h i s y e a r. Ie q u a l ly w i s h t h em a v er y H a p p y a n d P r o s p er ou s N e w Y e ar. J a i H i n d !

‘Make in India’ initiative was launched globally in September 2014 as apart of India’s renewed focus on Manufacturing. The objective of the Initia-tive is to promote India as the most preferred global manufacturing desti-nation. the Government of India has taken several reform initiatives tocreate an enabling environment for providing an impetus to manufactur-ing, design, innovation and startups. India has emerged as the fastestgrowing economy globally. India’s rate of growth of 7.5% is acceleratingand it remains an oasis of growth in the midst of a subdued economiclandscape across the world. The Hon’ble Prime Minister has given impe-tus to growth with several innovative initiatives such as “Make in India”,

“Digital India”, “100 Smart Cities” and “Skill India”.

Make in India has already created a strong impact in form of improvedbusiness environment and economic growth:

India is now 1st amongst the world’s most attractive investment destinations

1st amongst world’s fastest growing economies 1st among 100 countries on the growth, innovation, and leadership

index1st amongst 110 investment destinations polled globally7 th most valued national brand in the worldIndia’s rank jumped 12 positions in Ease of Doing Business 2016 list

by World Bank

To make India ready for a knowledge-

based future. Focus of US$ 17 billion initiative is onusing technology to create a participative, trans-parent and responsive government.

To accelerate the effortsto achieve universalsanitation coverage andto put focus on sanita-tion.

To provide core infrastructure andgive a decent quality of life tocitizens, a clean and sustainableenvironment and application of‘Smart’ Solutions. Focus on Sus-tainable and inclusive develop-ment.

7/21/2019 2016 VTN Issue 021



of India

E X C E E D S E X P E C T A T I O N SE X C E E D S E X P E C T A T I O N S

Get together, be the strength of the nation and help it reach greatest heights! Best wishes on this Republic Day

Greetings from HSMM Group of Companies

Get together, be the strength of the nation and help it reach greatest heights! Best wishes on this Republic Day

Greetings from HSMM Group of Companies

7/21/2019 2016 VTN Issue 021



Poverty Reduction Fund (PRF)

Request for Expression of Interest for National Nutrition Ofcer

Country: Lao People’s Democratic RepublicProject: Poverty Reduction FundDescription: Recruitment of the position National Nutrition Ofcer Grant No.: H685-LAProject No.: P 123480Review by the donors: Post reviewIssue Date: January 22, 2016 Closing Date: January 31, 2016

The Government of Laos, with support from the World Bank, Swiss Agency for Development andCooperation and AusAID has set up the Poverty Reduction Fund (PRF) to deliver small scale development project including support to livelihood improvement and nutrition security activity at the Kumban andVillage levels. The project is now seeking for a qualied candidate to full the position of NationalNutrition Ofcer:Required Qualications and Experience:• Master degree in Health and/or Nutrition, Social Sciences, Rural Development, Economics,

Development studies or other relevant eld;• At least 5 years of experience in multi-sectoral project management (including project planning,

implementation and coordination, M&E, institutional strengthening, etc) in decentralized andCommunity Development approaches is required;

• At least 5 years of relevant technical working experience in community nutrition, such as village- based nutrition management, home gardens, health and nutrition service delivery (including at-homecounseling), and/or mother and child health (MCH).

• Experience in working with – in particular training of ethnic groups in mountainous and remoteareas through bottom-up and participatory approaches reective of community needs;

• Experience in the implementation of program with focus on gender promotion;• Experience in agriculture-based nutrition activities, handicraft or other micro-enterprise will be a

plus;• Experience in training of Project staff for community development operations;• Strong analytical skills for project design and for incorporating of best practices and lesson learned;• Excellent knowledge of the different stakeholders involved in rural development activities in Lao

PDR (government and donors community);• Fluency in English and Lao (writing, editing, reporting and speaking);• Perfect command of Microsoft Ofce (Word, Excel, Power Point, Email and Internet);• Familiarity with projects nanced by the World Bank is an advantage;• Women and people from small ethnic groups are encouraged to apply;

Please see the detailed job description on PRF website http://www.praos.org or they can beobtained at PRF Ofce).

All interested applicants should submit (1) a cover letter outlining clearly how the candidate meets therequired qualications and experience of the position mentioned above, (2) a detailed CV with one(3x4) photo and (3) supporting documents (certicate of the most recent employment, certicates ofqualication/graduation, a list of at least three referees from most recent work places, etc) to the HROfcer, Poverty Reduction Fund, Government’s Ofce 501 building, Sisavathtai Village, ChanthaboulyDistrict, P.O Box 4625 Vientiane, Tel: 021 261479 - 80, Email: [email protected] & khemphone@ praos.org.

Please note that all submitted documents will not be returned.Deadline for applications: January 31, 2016

Only the rst ranked candidate will be contacted for negotiation

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7/21/2019 2016 VTN Issue 021



JOB VACANCYCOMPANY OVERVIEW

HAZAMA ANDO CORPORATION (HAC) is Japanese contractor, we had developed in Lao PDR from 1968

and had constructed Nam Ngum Hydro Power project, Naonal Highway No.9, Vienane Internaonal

Airport Expansion project and others.GENERAL

HAC is starng construcon of Vienane (Waay) Internaonal Airport Terminal Expansion

project with world class engineering and looking for Project Sta for Electrical work, Plumbingand Air condion work for building and Accounng work .

Locaon of work: Vienane (Waay) Internaonal AirportRe : Electrical work, Plumbing and Air condion work for buildingESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Studies specicaons and design according to construcon stage. Check me schedule and shop drawing on construcon site.

Coordinates the work with subcontractor and building users according to site condions. Manage safety and quality control on the site.

Make daily report including manpower, progress, quality control, safety control and schedule

control.JOB REQUIREMENTS

University diploma or equivalent required. Fluent wrien/spoken in English language is strong required. Hard worker and very good communicate skill as coordinator.

Procient computer skills (MS oce, AUTOCAD, MS Project). Experience of construcon work eld.

Re :Accounng workESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Daily Pey Cash transacon and record

Record and prepare monthly accounng statement Prepare monthly payroll Any other work relang to accounng

JOB REQUIREMENTS

University diploma or equivalent required.

Work experience for accounng Capability of communicaon (speak/listen/write/read) in English language Computer skills (MS oce).

Interested candidates are asked to mail/hand delivery or e-mail their applicaon with a comprehensive

CV and cover leer explaining their movaons in English to the listed address; By Mail or Hand delivery: Please submit to HAZAMA ANDO CORPORATION

An :Mr.Bounchanh (Administ raon Manager) Waay Internaonal Airport

Souphanouvong Rue, Ban Waay, Sikhoabong District

Vienane Capital Lao P.D.R., P.O.BOX 3372 By e-mail: Please submit to Mr. Bounchanh (Administraon Manager) : [email protected] dead line for applicant is 1st February, 2016

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for an interview.

LAO PEOPLE’S DEMOCRATIC REPUBLICMINISTRY OF INDUSTRY AND COMMERCE

Small and Medium Enterprises Access to Finance ProjectCredit No. 5471-LA, Grant No. H958-LA

REQUEST FOR EXPRESS OF INTERESTProjectCoordinator

The Government of Lao PDR is receiving support from the World Bank Group for improving access tonance by small and medium enterprises (SMEs) through the Small and Medium Enterprises Access toFinance Project (the Project). The objective of the Project is to provide long-term funding sources for banks to provide long-term credit to small and medium enterprises. This will be achieved by increasingthe supply of long-term nance provided by commercial banks and by strengthening the capability ofDOSMEP to formulate and implement public policies that promote access to nance for SMEs. The

Project includes three components: 1) A Line of Credit Facility; 2) A Risk Sharing Facility; and 3)Technical Assistance.

As part of the Component 3 above, the DOSMEP is looking for a dynamic and experienced Full Time National Consultant to ll the position ofthe above position to assist DOSMEP in the management andcoordination of the SME Access to Finance Project.

The Consultant is expected to be hired for the 40 months periodand will be called upon to assistDOSMEP as per the scope of work. The contract duration maybe adjusted up or down if required atthe sole discretion of DOSMEP. The full text of the ToR can be accessed at the NIU’s website: http://t4dlaos.org/index.php/en/work-with-us/vacancies.

In order to qualify for this position, the candidates shall meet the following experience and competencerequirements:

• Minimum Bachelor Degrees in Economics, Finance, Business Administration, Engineering, Scienceor related eld

• Minimum 5 years of working experience with Lao national development projects funded byinternational donors

• Work experience under WB nanced projects is highly preferable• At least 2 years of experience in a project management unit of donor funded projects• Good understanding of the government policy with respect to SME development• Knowledge and experience related to SMEs promotion and SME banking services will be desirable• English language uency in reading, writing and speaking is mandatory• High degree of computer literacy, and intermediate to advanced knowledge of Microsoft Ofce

Package (Excel, Word, PowerPoint)and internet• Sound project management skills with a strong focus on attention to detail and deadlines, coordination

and working with a diverse group of staff and consultants and other stakeholdersThe Consultant will be selected in accordance with the World Bank’s Guidelines “Selection andEmployment of Consultants”, Individual Consultants (IC) selection method, January 2011.

The NIU now invites interested eligible consultants to provide information indicating that you arequalied to perform the services (curriculum vitae with expressions of interest and references). Interestedconsultants may obtain further information at the address below. Expressions of interest must bedelivered to the address below or no later than January 29, 2016, 16:00 o’clock (submissions viaemail are also acceptable).

To: Mr. KeophouthoneInthivong, Procurement Ofcer, Ministry of Industry and Commerce, NationalImplementation Unit (NIU), Ban Phonxay, Xaysettha District, Vientiane Capital, Lao PDR, Tel:+856(21) 41 39 16 – 45 39 82; Fax: +856(21) 41 39 16, E-mail:[email protected]; Attn:Mr.PhouviengPhongsa, NIU Director.Noted: Only Short-listed candidates will be contacted for the interview.

7/21/2019 2016 VTN Issue 021



7/21/2019 2016 VTN Issue 021



Lifestyle

Xayxana Leukai

Wi t h n i g h t

m i n i m u m

temperatures

f a l l i n g

below 10 degrees Celsius and

maximums only creeping into

the low teens, Vientiane shops

have been doing a great trade in

jackets and thick coats.

Along Kamphaengmeuang

Road in Donkoy village, Ms Tik

gets up early to open her shop

selling jackets and sweaters

ready for customers.

The clothing comes in a

variety of sizes, styles and

colours so that people of all ages

can choose their favourite.

Reading the size on the neck

of a black jacket, Mr Phet asks

Ms Tik to look for smaller sizes

suitable for his 5- and 7-year-

Locals rug up ascold snap bites

More people are buying warm clothing as the temperature drops.

Stylish jackets on offer in a Vientiane shop.Residents of Naxaithong district light a re to keep themselves warm.

old daughters.

The father-of-two noted that

the temperature fell sharply on

Sunday but he didn’t want to go

shopping due to the wind and

rain. To beat the cold, Naxaithong

resident Mr Phet collected some

wood to make a re.

He explained that while his

two daughters each had a jacket

he thought it wasn’t enough

with the weather forecast

predic ting low temperatures

for the rest of the week. “I need

to buy one or two more jackets

for my children,” he said. “One

won’t be enough if the jacket

needs to be washed.”

Mr Phet also plans to buy

two or three blankets. He has

THE STRAITS TIMES

THE DAILY YOMIURI

THE YOMIURI SHIMBUN

Asia News Network (ANN)The Asia News Network (ANN) is a network of leading daily English

language newspapers in Asia, supported by the Konrad AdenauerFoundation of Germany through its regional representative bureau inSingapore.

It was established in March, 1999, to provide avenues for cooperationand optimise coverage of major news events in the region.It also aims to promote journalism, share news stories, feature articles,

editorials and personality proles. ANN is the world’s most activenewspaper alliance with a membership base of 18 newspapers in 16countries.

The German News Agency of Deutsche Presse-Agentur, as one of theleading international agencies and ANN’s exclusive partner, distributesnews and features, background stories and commentaries from ANN

to subscribers worldwide.They consist of Rasmei Kampuchea (Cambodia), China Daily (China),The Statesman (India), The Korea Herald (South Korea), The Star

(Malaysia), Sin Chew Daily (Malaysia), The Nation (Thailand), TheStraits Times (Singapore), The Philippine Daily Inquirer (Philippines),The Jakarta Post (Indonesia), Vietnam News (Vietnam), The Daily

Star (Bangladesh), Vientiane Times (Laos), The Kathmandu Post(Nepal), The Island (Sri Lanka), Brunei Times (Brunei), The Nation(Pakistan), and China Post (Taiwan). The combined circulation of these

newspapers is more than 14 million copies per day.

four blankets at home, one

for each person but that’s not

enough in the current low

temperatures.

According to the Meteorology

and Hydrology Department, the

low temperatures are expected

to continue this month so

everyone is advised to keep

warm, especially children and

the elderly whose immune

system may not be strong.

Cold weather is currently

enveloping many places in the

northern hemisphere, including

other parts of this region, while a

massive blizzard claimed at least

16 lives in the United States.

The near-record snowstorm

clobbered a large swathe of

the eastern US on Friday

and Saturday, shutting down

New York and Washington

and affecting some 85 million

residents.

A cold snap gripped Hong

Kong on Sunday, with residents

shivering as temperatures

plunged to the lowest point

in nearly 60 years and frost

dusted the mountaintops of a

city accustomed to a subtropical

climate.

Hong Kong weather

ofcials issued a frost warning,

saying an “intense cold surge”

was in place coupled with

chilling monsoon winds.

China was also heading

for record low temperatures,

me t eo ro l og i s t s wa rned

on Sunday, as authorities

renewed an orange alert for

severe weather. In Beijing,temperatures were expected to

hit a 30-year low of minus 16

degrees Celsius, the National

Meteorological Centre said.

Temperatures in the south-

eastern provinces of Zhejiang,

Fujian and Guangdong may

drop below the lowest levels

ever recorded, it said.

But here in Vientiane a

smiling Ms Tik said it was

a good time to sell a lot of

clothing because many people

were looking to buy jackets and

sweaters to keep themselves

warm. The garments are made

in China, Laos, Thailand and

Vietnam. Thick socks and gloves

are also very popular at the

moment.

Since the temperature

plummeted, Ms Tik has been

selling at least 10 jackets and

sweaters a day for both childrenand adults with prices starting

from 30,000 kip, depending on

size and quality.

She says she doesn’t

have to spend time or money

advertising her goods because

customers are quick to seek

her out.

Ms Tik says she likes to sell

seasonal clothing because it can

be very protable. She hopes the

cold weather will stay around

for a while, but she has to put in

a lot of effort to sell as much as

possible because winter could

be over very quickly and then

customers won’t be interested

in buying this kind of clothing.

Wearing thick clothing in

winter is one of many ways for

people to keep warm and reduce

respiratory illnesses. If children

go to school and their feet are

cold, they are advised to weartights and a pair of socks.

People are also advised

to eat nutritious food and do

regular exercise to stay healthy,

according to a doctor at the

Hygiene and Health Promotion

Department.

The low temperatures are expected

to continue this month so everyone

is advised to keep warm, especially

children and the elderly whose

immune system may not be strong.

7/21/2019 2016 VTN Issue 021



Lao Red Cross Youth Competition!

Win a term of free English lessons by playing the Lao Red Cross YouthCompetition. From all correct entries, one winner will be drawn month. Thi s month’s winner will

receive a T-shirt promoting HIV/AIDS awareness. From all monthly winners, one lucky winner

will receive one full term of English lessons donated for free by Vientiane College.

This month we have another word game for you. Just unscramble the following 5 words

and place them in the boxes provide. For the right answers we will give you in the next month .

C E E M N M R O N E C E Y

H O C H S A O

E P T X T E C E P

N C E C Y N L E I

O S E S I O O N P O E S S I S S

Cut out this entry form and send it to HIV/AIDS Project, Lao Red Cross, PO Box 650 or take it to

the Lao Red Cross office behind Vat Xiengnhune. Closing date for the competition on Friday, 29January 2016 at 9.00am.

Name: ______________ID Card No: _______Address & Phone Number: ____________

Last month’s answer: Accommodate, Distract, Excellent, Loyalty and Miserly.

Congratulation to Miss. Viengdavanh BANHPHAHASA, ID Card No: 01-0298589.

She is a winner of free term at Vientiane College.

Please contact to Ms. Phoutthalom for further more information at Tel: 241229.

Feature

Times Reporters

Throughout its long

jo urney, Laos ha slearnt that wheneverthe country enjoys

cohesive solidarity the nationis strong and prosperous. Butwhen solidarity breaks down,the country becomes weak,opening the door to foreigninvasion and oppression.

Laos has experiencedtraumatic periods of foreigndomination when solidarityamong citizens and leadersweakened, especially when theLao Lane Xang Kingdom wassplit into three kingdoms.

In ancient times, the Lao people led by Chao Fapadchaiand Ong Keo Ong Kommadam

among others struggled to ghtagainst foreign feudalism due toa lack of guidance in restoringcohesive solidarity amongmultiethnic people across thecountry, with different groupsghting individually.

When the Lao People’sRevolutionary Party wasfounded six decades ago, itrecognised that it was essentialto create cohesive solidarityamong people of all ethnicgroups to amass a collectiveforce to fight for nationalindependence and liberation.

The Lao Front for NationalConstruction played a leadingrole in uniting the peoplein national solidarity in therevolutionary task. As a result,the Lao People’s DemocraticRepublic was proclaimed onDecember 2, 1975 - a greatvictory for the prolonged Lao

Mass organisations have encouraged people from all walks of life to participate in tree planting. (File photo)

Children remove garbage from a river, which is one of the activites encouraged by mass organisationsto protect the environment.

revolutionary task.Further strengthening the

cohesive solidarity of the entire

multiethnic people continuesto be the top priority of theParty as it leads the countryin national development andconstruction.

The 9th Party Congressin 2011 stated that the Partyhad always reaffirmed thatenhancing the solidarity of allLao ethnic groups, social strata,genders and religions, andestablishing a unied, powerfulforce of the entire Lao peoplecentred around the Party wasdecisive in enhancing thevictory of the revolution as wellas the stability of the politicalregime and the sustainabledevelopment of Laos.

“Therefore, our Partymust enhance its united Frontaffairs and vigorously enhancethe role of the Lao Front for

Natio nal Const ruc tio n andmass organisations,” PartySecretary General of the 8th and9th Party Central CommitteesMr Choummaly Sayasone toldthe 9th Congress.

“The Party must considerthis work as one of its futureand long term strategic tasks.Party committees at alllevels have to enhance theirleadership and supervisionof the Lao Front for NationalConstruction and other massorganisations, such as theLao People’s RevolutionaryYouth Union, the Lao Women’sUnion, Lao Federation of TradeUnions and Lao Veterans’Federation, aiming to improvetheir work plans, methods,

content and style of operationto suit each target.”

Most importantly, MrChoummaly added, the Partyhas to create conditions for themembers of these organisationsto engage in political life andreceive information on policiesand the action plans of theParty and State. The Party thenhas to advocate and lead themembers of these organisationsto fruitfully implement all

works laid down by the Partyand State.

In adhering to the policyof solidarity of all Lao people,the Party has continued to lookupon Lao compatriots livingoverseas as members of thenational family. Therefore theParty welcomes all patriotswho still love their birthplaceand want to come back toLaos to join hands with theLao people to contribute theirintellectual and physical effortsand funds to take part in thedevelopment of the country.

The Party will continueto promote all professionalorganisations and associationsthat have been legal lyestablished and performedtheir duties in accordancewith set roles and goals. Thiswill create opportunities forthese organisations to mobiliseand harness the energy ofall members towards socio-

economic development ,respond to members’ benetsand help society, particularly

poor and disadvantaged people.In addition, the Party

reafrms its respect for the rightto freedom of religious belief,as well as social movements, asenunciated in the constitutionand laws, aiming to build aharmonious and happy society.

Recognising the importantrole that mass organisations

play, the 9th Party Congressagreed to increase the workof the United Front withinthe Party; enhance the roleof the Lao Front for NationalConstruction, Lao People’sRevolutionary Youth Union,Lao Women’s Union, LaoFederation of Trade Unions,and Lao National VeteransFederation in order to buildconcord among ethnic groupsand social strata regardless ofgender or religion and build

a force of great unity of theLao people, including Laocompatriots living overseas.It would also promote social

professional organisations andassociations that have beenauthorised and function legallyso they can contribute as a

predominant force for nationaldevelopment.

President of the Lao Frontfor National Construction Prof.Dr Phanduangchit Vongsa saidthat today multiethnic groupsin Laos coexist in peace withcohesive solidarity, thanksto the wise leadership of theParty.

“Multiethnic groups areintegrated socially, culturallyand economically. But theyare not discriminated against

poli ti ca lly,” he sa id whenaddressing a special meetingheld in November to celebratethe 40th anniversary of thefounding of the Lao PDR.

Party’s mass organisation policy bolsters national unity

7/21/2019 2016 VTN Issue 021



Opinion

StreetwiseStreetwise

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Patithin Phetmeuangphuan

M r Monxay

Laomuasong, a Party

Central Committee member

from Luang Prabang

province: I believe that

electing a new leadership is

very important. I think Party

members elected people

who have shown good

What’s your impression of the new

leadership elected at the Party Congress?The 10th Party Congress, which convened last week, elected a new Party leadership and Vientiane Times asked

congress participants and members of the public for their thoughts on the best way forward for Laos.

leadership skills, knowledge

and integrity over the years.

They are well qualified to

guide the next five-year

national socio-economic

development plan, 10-year

strategy plan, and 20-year

Vision. The congress took

the election of new Party

Central Committee membersvery seriously and chose the

most eligible candidates. I

would like to remind those

who have been elected to

guide our country in various

capacities, and that they

are the hope of the people.

Almost everyone in Laos

holds great hope for the

future and places their trust

in Party leaders. They owe it

to the Lao people to carry out

their duties to the full extent

of their abilities and use all

of their knowledge, skills and

experience to improve the

situation in Laos.

M r Seeva Luang-

aphai, a government

employee from Oudomxay

province: I believe the

congress elected a new

body o f leaders that wi ll

spur development in Laos.

I think our leaders always

follow up problems and

know what needs to be

improved and changed

so that Laos will be more

developed in the future.

I think that this time we

will not only have a new

leadership but I think they

will be better able to plan

and devise a better workingsystem. Since the Party

assumed leadership of Laos,

the country has been at

peace and has developed

rapidly because our leaders

are hard working and care

for the people. However,

there are many problems

that the new Party Central

Committee will have to

tackle in order to move Laos

forward along the right path.

In my opinion, development

means improving living

standards, making people

self-reliant, and broadening

their knowledge.

M r Khamloun

Lorkhamroi, a guest

from Luang Namtha

province: The Party Congress

is held once every ve years

and is the most important

meeting in Laos as our

leaders gather to identify

problems and make plans for

the future development of the

country. The congress elects

a new body of leaders and I

am certain that they are well

qualied to move our country

forward. In my opinion, Laos

still has many problems so

I would like to call on ourleaders to do their best to

accelerate the development

process. From what I have

seen, since the Party has been

guiding the country, Laos has

developed fast. On the other

hand, there are some aspects

of the plans set at the last

congress that have not been

achieved, such as reducing

poverty in rural areas and

removing Laos from least

developed country status.

Brigadier General

Chanthavone

Xayaphong, Party Central

Committee member from

Oudomxay province: I have

been very pound to attendthis congress. It has been

enjoyable and successful.

I would like every sectorof government to continue

to work for peace around

the country. In addition,

the authorities should do

more to develop rural areas

and improve livelihoods

in line with Party poli cy,

and as stated during the

Party Congress. Oudomxay

province is peaceful and

the economy is improving

year by year but there are

some aspects that we need

to improve such as better

communication systems,

roads, and having cleanwater and health care

centres in rural areas.

These are important issues

that need to be urgently

addressed.

M r Sengthavang

Vilailath, a company

employee in Vientiane:

I think the authorities

should pay more attention

to tourism because this

busine ss can provide

many jobs. It’s better

than building up areas of

industry such as mining and

hydropower, as these can

have damaging effects on people , animals and natural

resources. And everything

changes when development

comes to a place although

of course it does mean

better housing and higher

incomes. I think tourism is

definitely the best way to

move forward, as it means

we get more visitors here.

We should publi cise our

attractions through the

media so that everyone

knows about the natural

beauty of Laos, and use t his

to attract people and teach

them about our country. Ifthe authorities were to do

this, the number of visitors

would increase year by

year and I think this would

do a lot for Laos in the

right way.

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7/21/2019 2016 VTN Issue 021


22 Vientiane TimesOpinion Tuesday January 26, 2016

What the Lao

papers say

What the Lao

papers sayTimes Reporters

The 10th Congress of the Lao People’s

Revolutionary Party took place

from January 18-22 in Vientiane

under the slogan “Upholding

leadership capacity and leading styles of the

Party; enhancing mass solidarity of the entirenation; adhering to the comprehensive and

principled renovation policy; and protecting

and developing the nation in line with the

sustainable directives towards socialism.”

The congress was attended by 685 delegates

(one of whom was specially requested to attend),

representing the 252,879 Party members

nationwide.

The congress discussed and adopted

important issues concerning the Party and

nation in a constructive and responsible

atmosphere lled with cohesive solidarity, and

concluded with sound outcomes as follows:I. The Congress discussed in depth and

unanimously adopted the Political Report of

the 9th Party Central Committee presented to

the 10th Party Congress.The Congress agreed with the assessment

of the implementation of the resolution

adopted by the 9th Party Congress, particularly

the outstanding achievements made in

national defence and security tasks, socio-

economic development, improvements to and

consolidation of State administration systems,

the united front and mass affairs of the Party,

foreign affairs, international integration, and

Party and personnel building.

Delegates at the Congress contributed frank

and candid opinions on the shortcomings of

the Party’s leadership, which had caused the

implementation of focal work in some areas

to fail to achieve set targets and called for

appropriate measures to intensively address the

shortcomings, aiming to bring positive changes

to further implement the Party’s guidelines.

The Congress adopted the conclusion of

7-point lessons learnt from the implementation

of the Resolution of the 9th Party Congress and

30 years of the renovation policy. In addition,

the Congress adopted 7 targets to pursue and

realise in the near future.

The Congress entrusted the 10th Party

Central Committee to ensure that the resolution

be sys temati cal ly unders tood by all cor e

Party members in all organisations, sectors,

localities and levels so they can implement it

appropriately in their works and yield greater

outcomes.

The Congress also entrusted the Party Central

Committee to translate the Party’s focal directives

into the resolution of the Party Central Committee

so that Party committees at various levels can use itas a clear reference for implementation process.

The Congress instructed State agencies

to translate the resolution into detailed

legislation, action plans and projects so that

the implementation process can take place in a

timely manner and gain great accomplishments.II. The Congress heard a report on the

country’s vision until 2030, a strategy for 10-

year socio-economic development (2016-25)

and 8th Five-Year National Socio-Economic

Development Plan (2016-20). The slogan for

the country’s vision and strategy is “Strive to

shed our country from least developed country

status by 2020 and move towards being an

upper middle income developing country in

line with green and sustainable development

when approaching 2030.”The Congress agreed with the vision,

strategy and 8th socio-economic development

plan, inst ruct ing the 10t h Party Cent ra l

Committee to further advise the government

to translate it into action plans and national-

level projects as well as determine scopes of

investment for those projects.

The Congress encourages the economic

sector and all of society to become involved

in implementing the above plans and projects.

TO BE CONTINUED...

10th Party Congress Resolution

Noisy neighbours

creating problems

Translated by Patithin Phetmeuangphuan

Having noisy neighbours is a common problem in Laos and every day people haveto put up with loud music when others inthe neighbourhood have a party or drinkingsession, especially at night when peoplewant to sleep or rest.

Some people often get together fordrinks and when they get drunk they turnup the music louder and sing karaoke songswithout caring what their neighbours thinkand whether they might be disturbing them.

The authorities in these places shoulddo something about it because many peoplecannot stand such loud music, especiallyif they are unwell. And some people needsome quiet time to work at home.

This problem not only affects Lao people. Foreigners staying in Laos oftensay they suffer from loud music being

played at all hours.Many villages have been awarded

certicates that declare them to be modelsof culture, but playing loud music is not

part of Lao culture and we should keep ourneighbourhoods more peaceful, especiallyon holy days.

--Socio-Economic Daily, January 25

Time to resolve

the trafc issueMany people often complain that theyarrive late at work, and other places,

because of trafc congestion. Life gets

harder and harder for road users andmotorists are getting more frustrated,especially in Vientiane.

Trafc jams are a frequent topic ofconversation but nothing ever improves.Sometime things get really difficult asthere are so many reasons for trafc jams.Many roads are very narrow, drivers breakthe rules, people park on the roadside,and trucks sell fruit by the road especiallynear markets and junctions, making theroad extra narrow. This causes trafficsnarls, general chaos, and accidents, and

people should be prevented from blockingthoroughfares of all kinds.

--Vientiane Mai Daily, January 22

Young bikers still

creating problemsGroups of teenage motorbike riders arestill plaguing central Vientiane with theirinconsiderate antics. Lots of people havesaid the authorities should create a specialracing track where they can let off steamand have some fun without bothering otherroad users.

Street racers used to gather on the roadsaround midnight, and disturbed everyonein the vicinity with the noise they made.

But now they’re taking to the streetsat about 4-5pm when school ends. Some

bikers drive down the road doing wheelieswhile their passengers stand and put theirarms out like they’re ying and withoutany concern for their safety.

This consistent violation of the rulesof the road and the total disrespect theydisplay is dangerous both for themselvesand other motorists. It is essential that theauthorities clamp down on this behaviour,along with parents and teachers, whoshould have the most inuence over theirchildren and pupils.

--Lao Pattana, January 25

Simon Tay, Aaron Choo, Shangari Kiruppalini

Thailand (The Nation, ANN) -- Regionalleaders inaugurated the Asean Communityat the end of 2015 to bring their 10 countriescloser - not only for economic integration, butalso on security-political issues as well as socialand cultural affairs. One test for this dream ofCommunity is whether the lives of ordinarycitizens will improve, and one hard issue will

be the ongoing tragedy of trafcking in persons.Last year, mass graves were discovered

along the border of Thailand and Malaysia,containing the remains of over 200 people.The cases are still under investigation, butthe victims are believed to be Rohingya fromRakhine State in Myanmar who were kidnappedor illegally trafcked before being abandoned

and killed.Beyond the headlines about the Rohingya,

millions of victims are being trafcked acrossAsean to work in different sectors - includingthe sex industry, shing and on plantations.Accurate gures for the region are debatable

but, for Asia-Pacic, the International LabourOrganisation estimates that there are now morethan 11.7 million victims of forced labour.A much stronger effort is needed to stem theillegal trafcking in persons.

This month, countries will submit statementsabout the steps they have taken to the US StateDepartment annual trafficking in persons(TIP) report. This grades countries on a four-category list, according to the extent of the

problem and the efforts being taken. To date,most Asean member states occupy the middleranks, signalling that they fall short of the US’sstandards.

The Rohingya issue places a spotlighton Myanmar, the source country, as well asMalaysia and Thailand. Each has fared verydifferently in the lens of American scrutiny,and not always for good reason.

The TIP Report and Asean’s dilemma

Myanmar has yet to be assessed andgraded by the US. There is justication for

this oversight given the country has been intransition to full democracy. But after thehistoric election result that brought the NationalLeague of Democracy to power in November,the government will now be expected to addressthe issue more seriously at its root.

A discrepancy between the TIP gradeshanded to Malaysia and Thailand last year

prompted concerns that extraneous factorsare affecting Washington’s judgement. TheUS promoted Malaysia from Tier 3 despitethat country being a location for the Rohingyatragedy.

True, Malaysian authorities have uppedtheir efforts to combat trafckers. In 2014, theylaunched 186 investigations into trafckingcases, more than double the number the year

before. Some 54 cases were prosecuted in court.

However, the Thais showed as much or evenmore effort.

Suspicions were raised that Washingtonwas kinder to Malaysia because it joined theTrans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) free-tradeagreement that President Obama has been

pushing as a centrepiece of engagement withthe region. If the TIP Report had left Malaysiain Tier 3, the country’s poor rating on humantrafcking would automatically have preventedthe Obama administration from securing “fast-track” approval of the TPP through Congress.

Political expedience and the TPP’simportance may therefore have been the criticalfactors, rather than Malaysia’s efforts to combattrafficking. Political factors may have also

played a role in the case of Thailand, but in theopposite direction.

The country was kept in Tier 3 despiteappearing to have taken even more actionagainst trafckers than Malaysia. Authoritiesin Bangkok investigated some 280 trafckingcases and prosecuted 155 alleged trafckers.Efforts have continued and indeed strengthenedin the past months with the arrest and indictmentof more suspects - including a senior Armygeneral, alleged to be a lynchpin in trafcking.

Systemic changes have been made. The

Prayut Chan-o-cha government has createda high-level inter-ministry taskforce andincreased the budget to tackle the issue. Lawshave been streamlined to allow for cases to

be prosecuted more quickly and to increase punishments against those found guilty. Effortsin the shing industry, heavily implicated forforced labour, have put in place monitoringsystems on board vessels and thorough checkson vessels when they go in and out of port.

Thai efforts seem at the very least on a parwith Malaysia’s, leading critics to speculatethat the US Trafficking in Persons Reportwas shaped by political considerations aswell as objective assessments. After all, Thai-US relations have been under strain sincethe military coup that brought the currentadministration to power in Bangkok.

Tackling trafcking in the region is not aneasy task. There are vested interests within theregion that drive the trade in persons. Concernand scrutiny from the international communityis needed to urge on reform.

However, Asean member states should notsimply act in order to secure a stamp of approvalfrom Washington. Nor should the UnitedStates or others in the international communityleverage the issue for extraneous politicalreasons. Even-handedness and cooperation,rather than biased views, will be the key tounlocking this important and complex problem.

Asean countries should take the initiativeto solve the issue for their own people, asa agship in the human dimension of theirCommunity-building project. Only then canthe US and other major powers truly supportAsean on the issue and work collectively toaddress the responsibilities of source, transitand destination countries.

--Simon Tay is the chairman of the think-tank Singapore Institute of International Affairs (SIIA), and associate professor at the National University of Singapore Faculty of Law. Aaron Choo and Shangari Kiruppalini,are respectively, assistant director and policyresearch analyst at the SIIA.

Asean sends the right signals tostop human trafcking menace

The Congress adopted

the conclusion of 7-point

lessons learnt from the

implementation of the

Resolution of the 9th Party

Congress and 30 years of the

renovation policy. In addition,

the Congress adopted 7

targets to pursue and realise

in the near future.

7/21/2019 2016 VTN Issue 021


Vientiane Times 23

Arts & LeisureArts & Leisure

Tuesday January 26, 2016

Arts & LeisureArts & Leisure

Sisouphan Amphonephong

L

ao Pride Recordscelebrated the 9thanniversary of its

establishment lastweek, recognising the recordingartists it has under contract aswell as the achievements of themusic label in the years since itwas founded.

The celebration took pl ace at Vient iane Cent reand was attended by variousLao celebrities from differentcompanies including TouHero, Maz, Extreme, AleeShawty, GB2, Neuang SuperOne and Japanese DJ Yoshi,who attended to share in thecompany’s success.

The celebration of coursefeatured performances by anumber of artists and guestsas well as the Cosplay cartoon

of super heroes and DJ Yoshi’shouse music style.

M a n a g i n g D i r e c t o rof Lao Pride Records MrAnousa Phothisan said at thecelebration that in the yearsahead, Lao Pride Recordswill focus on discovering newartists and talents to providemusic fans with different stylesand genres of music to choosefrom.

He said a few years ago, thecompany was focused mostlyon entertainment events andLao celebrities but recently ithas been seeking to expand itsarea of interest.

This year the companyaims to train more artists to

respond to the demands ofthe Lao entertainment scene,while it will continue with new

ventures such as the VangviengMusic Festival, which waslaunched late last year for therst time.

Mr Anousa sa id the

company has more and moretalented artists on its booksthese days and there is lessneed to train its singers and

performers anymore.Among its success stories

have been Alee from the girlgroup Shawty who received the

best new popular artist back in2012. Meanwhile Black Eyesreceived Best Artist in 2013 andBoy Band “The Bullet,” ToulyBidahak and Maz also receivedawards whilst working for thecompany.

Currently, Lao PrideRecords focuses mostly onrock and hip hop as well as afusion of the two. Rock musicremains especially popular at

beer gardens and entertainmentevents.Its audition round for the

selection of new singers and bands will take place in March,offering a great opportunity foryoung musicians and artists toshowcase their special skills

and talents.In February, the companywill also join to celebrate JapanCool Kawaii 2016 in Vientiane.

Currently, there are stillnot that many performingartists in Laos if comparedto neighbouring countries.Therefore it is necessary tonurture more talent to performat entertainment events, TVshows and other elds of Laoentertainment as well as to

promote Lao celebrities in theirvarious endeavours.

This year, the company’sannual dance events shallinclude “Street Jam”, MusicFestival, and “Fire Your Work.”

Mr Anousa said he wanted

to bring new trends andexperiences to Lao people andto this end is now partnering

with a Chinese investor to bring the Ice Kingdom to openin Laos for the rst time.

Alee, on the celebrationday, was selected by theChinese investor to becomea presenter for the future IceKingdom to open in Laos.

Anousa added that thestandard for selection of thecompany’s new artists has beennot yet discussed. For newartists who love their eld, thatthe company can train themto become brighter and morewell-rounded performers.

Each year the company plans to promote at least three bands including rock bands, hip-

hop groups and dance artists tosupply the needs and desires ofthe nation’s music fans.

Lao Pride Records celebrates 9th anniversary

Anousa poses with dancers and staff of the company.

DJ Yoshi breaks into some house music.

Anousa and friends pose for a group photo at the celebration.

MUMBAI (The Statesman,ANN) --Jugni, or the femalerey, has symbolic meaningsin many ancient texts. But mostof all, it signies the free-yingspirit that illuminates fromwithin.

On a scientific note, theglow of the fireflies is usedas defence mechanism or amating device. And accordingto Punjabi folk, it is an age-old

narrative device that standsfor an innocent observer tomake incisive and touchingobservations of life.

Well, Shefali Bhushan inher maiden directorial venturehas blended all science, mythand the narrative device todeliver a subtly sensitive lm.

Used as a metaphor, Jugni

CHINA (China Daily, ANN) --Kung Fu Panda 3 set a new highin box ofce records in China,

pocketing 41.26 million yuan(US$6.27 million) from morethan 1.17 million moviegoers in

just three hours during a sneak preview session held nationwideon Saturday afternoon.

The roughly 90-minutea n i m a t e d s e q u e l , b yDreamWorks Animation andOriental DreamWorks, hints ata potential blockbuster debut,especially in China, when itopens on the coming weekendon Jan 29, one weekend before

the Chinese New Year weekend.The third installment of the

Kung Fu Panda franchise, afollow-up to Kung Fu Panda2 in 2011, set a new record for

previews in China as it toppedthe box ofce on Jan 23 during a

preview nationwide from 14:00-17:00 pm. Note that China has

been struck with pretty harsh

is Vibhavari’s story.Vibhavari (Sugandha Garg)

also known as Vibs is a musicdirector in Mumbai. She isstruggling to get a footholdin the film industry. Afternumerous rejections, shetravels to Hasanpur village inPunjab to unearth a ne folksinger Bibi Saroop (SadhanaSingh), whose voice holds the

promise that she is looking for.

While in the village, Vibsgets attracted to the opportunistMastana (Siddhant Behl), BibiSaroop’s son and an equally

procient singer.How their lives take a twist,

forms the crux of the tale.The storyline is supercial.

The p l o t , s t r ewn wi t hastonishing poetry and song

sequences, is formulaic andrelatable. The script is owingand sweet, but unimaginative.

It offers no dramaticmoments and the surprises aremore of duds. But what keeps youhooked are the chirpy dialoguesand effervescent performances

by the lead cast.The characters are marginally

quirky and their performancesare equally competitive and

natural. And Divakar Mani’scinematography takes you to theheart of the action.

The lm belongs to SugandhaGarg and Siddhant Behl. They

portray Vibhavari and Mastanain all earnestness. They bothare charming and light up thescreen with their vibrant andcontrasting personalities.

While Siddhant is effortlessas the rustic village entertainer,Sugandha comes across as anarticial made up city-bred dollwith a well coiffured mane.

They are aptly supported by; Sadhana Singh as BibiSaroop, Samir Sharma asSid, Vib’s live-in partner andAnirutha Jha as Mastana’s

girlfriend Preeto. Theirs isa one- dimensional role thatnavigates the story forward.

Clinton Cerejo’s music issparkling with a blend of rusticfolk songs that are tuned andoff-beat.

Overall, Shefali’s directionis noteworthy and the lm isworth a watch.

‘Jugni’ - A subtly sensitive lm

‘Jugni’.

weather over the weekend, soit is highly possible that thefigure may have been higher,had the temperature been betterfor viewers to visit the theaters.

The Kung Fu Panda franchisehas performed very well in Chinaand the US. According to Forbes,Kung Fu Panda, which openedin 2008, earned US$217 millionin America, US$603 millionworldwide and US$12 millionin China. The sequel, KungFu Panda 2 in 2011, dipped alittle bit with US$165 millionin US, but made up for it fromits worldwide sales of US$665

million and a whopping US$92million from China. As the

protagonist panda Po goes ona quest to nd his roots and his

biological father, along with therecord-setting ticket sales duringthe preview, and the timing of thecoming Chinese New Year break,it is reasonable to expect another

big cash-in from Kung Fu Panda

3 from the Chinese market.In a special move to

tailor the lm for the Chinesemarket, DreamWorks craftedtwo versions of the lms, one“normal” version, dubbed bylocal movie stars and artists,and another “tailored” version,where it is animated differentlyto more accurately adhere to themouth movements and bodylanguage of Chinese. Accordingto DreamWorks, the customisedMandarin version is not simplya dubbed version, but a redesignand rewrite of the script. Elementssuch as dialects and more localized

puns were added specically forChinese audiences.

More than 200 OrientalDreamWorks employees haveworked on the lm in Shanghai,

provid ing feedback on theauthenticity of Chinese elementsin the lm and ne-tuning thedetails of the second version ofthe Mandarin-language script.

Kung Fu Panda 3 sets box ofcerecord in nationwide preview

A scenefrom the

latest lmof the Kung

Fu Pandafranchise,which willpremiere

globally onJan 29.

7/21/2019 2016 VTN Issue 021


24 Vientiane Times

ClassiedTuesday January 26, 2016

PartnershipAnnouncement

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7/21/2019 2016 VTN Issue 021


Vientiane Times 25

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Tuesday January 26, 2016 Classifed

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What’s OnWhat’s OnWhat’s OnWhat’s OnWhat’s OnWhat’s OnWhat’s OnWhat’s On

The Vientiane Times welcomes notices from

members of the public for announcement on

this page. Any events or functions open to

the general public are suitable for publishing.

Contact: [email protected]

Warm for Winter appeal

The Lao Red Cross asks everyone to help people living in northern

Laos keep warm this winter. Please donate clean blankets, warm

clothing, towels, shoes, gloves and socks to our Warm for Winter

Appeal 2015.

Where: Lao Red Cross

When: Normal working hours

For more information: 021 253 014, Facebook/LaoRedCrossSociety

Thank you so much for your generosity!

Lao Food Festival

The Lao Women’s Union and Lao

Businesswomen’s Association are

holding the 11th Lao Food Festival

in Vientiane. Everyone is invited to

come along and sample traditional Lao

cuisine.

Where: Chao Anouvong Park.

When: January 28-30. Opening

ceremony at 9am.

Toyota Painting Contest

The Toyota Dream Car Art Contest 2016 is open to children, with thetheme ‘Toyota in My Dream’The painting contest is divided into three age groups: Under 8; Ages8-11; and Ages 12-15.When: Submit your painting anytime from December 16 – February15, 2016Where: For details, contact Toyota company ofces nationwideon: 021 453801-2, 041 260882-4, 071 214111, 031 251400 or anyEducation and Sports Department.

Charity Football Match

There will be aCharity FootballMatch betweenthe Lao PremierLeague’s Allstars and Thaichampions BuriramUnitedWhen: January 31,6:30pmWhere: NationalStadium, Km 16. The match will be televised on TV Lao channel and3SD Thai channel.

Elephant Festival

This year’s ElephantFestival will feature 67elephants taking partin activities includinga beauty contest,bathing and baciceremony. There willalso be a large andvibrant street fair.When: February19-21Where: Xayabourydistrict, Xayabouryprovince

Actors and actresses wanted

Kheo Heng (KH) company is inviting good-looking young people to

apply for two male and two female lead roles in the romantic comedy

lm ‘Hong Ham Tao’. Female applicants should be 18-26 years old

and males should be aged 20-28

When: Applications until February 28

Where: Contact through Facebook at Inbox only, www.facebook.com/

phoumsana.sirivongsa

or Search in facebook: Jear Pacic

First International HalfMarathon in Vientiane

Social enterprise Events for Good (EFG) will host the rstinternational half marathon in Laos to mark International Women’sDay. EFG invites participants to join either the 21km, 10km, or 5kmruns. The event will start and nish at the That Luang stupa. Everyparticipant who crosses the nish line within the allotted time willreceive a medal and certicate. Trophies and cash prizes will beprovided to the top 5 male and top 5 female runners of the halfmarathon and quarter marathon. A Health and Fitness Expo will alsobe held before and during the event. Check Facebook event page forfurther details.When: Sunday, March 6, 2016; 5am – 8am.Health and Fitness Expo Time: Friday, March 4, 10am–7pm andSaturday, March 5; 10am–7pm.Media event organisers should contact Vanpheng Southichak orThouni Seneyakone about sponsorship opportunities. Ask aboutcustomised sponsorship packages, including on-site displayopportunities, guidebook advertisements, and in-kind donations.Vanpheng Southichak Managing Director +856 (0) 20 – 5588 [email protected] Seneyakone Operations Manager +856 (0) 20 - 9144 [email protected]

Lao Fashion WeekCome along to Lao

Fashion Week to learn

about developments

in the industry and

meet the new brand

ambassadors.

When: January 29

Where: Vientiane

Centre

For more information

contact: 020-55526629

Painting exhibition

Paintings by

Lao artist Ebbe

Soukhaseum

Chanthapanya, who

lives in London,

will be exhibited in

Vientiane.

When: Three

weeks, starting

from January 26.

Opening ceremony at 6:30pm.

Where: Maison de la Culture de Ban Naxay, in Xaysettha district.

Arts Festival

Vientiane Performing Arts FestivalWhen: January 29-31, 5pm-9pmWhere: National Culture HallEntry free.For more information seefacebook.com/Khao Niew Lao

Meditation course

Sincere persons are invited toattend a morality and meditationtraining course.When: January 25-31, with analmsgiving ceremony on the lastday.Where: Vat Pa Siritray Yalam,Layao-tay village, Samakhixaydistrict, Attapeu provinceFor more information call: 030 4826 131, 020 5897 7769

Vat Phou Champassak Festival

Champassak province will celebrate the 15th anniversary of Vat Phouand its associated ancient settlements being listed as a UNESCO WorldHeritage Site.When: February 20, 21, 22Where: Vat Phou, Champassak province

Sikhottabong

Stupa Festival

Khammuan residents

will celebrate the annual

Sikhottabong Stupa Festival in

honour of the revered religious

structure, when locally-madeproducts will be on sale.

When: February 20-22

Where: Khammuan province

Free treatment

Interplast Australia andNew Zealand plasticand reconstructivesurgical team will visitMahosot Hospital fortreatment of cleft lipand palate burns.When: Consultationclinic February 8

Surgeries performedFebruary 9-18Where: MahosotHospital, VientianeCall for information 020 5560 9415 Dr Vanpheng Norasingh

Global citizenship programme

Japanese

organisation GiFT,in collaboration withGreen Discoveryand FM 90.0 Mhz,is inviting universitystudents aged 18-24 to apply for theDiversity Voyage inLaos programme,

a 6 day event withJapanese students.Expenses will bepaid by the programme.When: From February 20-25. Applications accepted until January 29Where: Contact Bounheng (programme coordinator) on 020 55400099.Or visit the following link:http://www.laoyouth-radio.com/2016/01/diversity-voyage-2016.html

Trade UnionTrade Fair

There will be a special

trade fair to mark the 60thanniversary of the Lao

Federation of Trade Union.

When: January 23 –

February 3

Where: Lao-ITECC

Vientiane Trail 2016

Come along and enjoy the VientianeTrail 2016, when the capital’s oldquarter will be transformed into apedestrian zone with night timeilluminations, and art and handicraftevents.Where: Chao Anou Street to

Francois Ngin Street.When: February 26-28, open from5-9pm each night.

Lao-Thai concert

A concert this week as part ofthe Lao Federation of TradeUnions Fair will feature Thaisinger Maithai and Lao singerPoukky Ngernlan.Where: Lao-ITECC.When: January 28, 7pm, freeentrance.

7/21/2019 2016 VTN Issue 021


Vientiane Times 27Tuesday January 26, 2016 Sports

MELBOURNE, Australia(AP) -- Victoria Azarenkacouldn’t get off court quicklyenough to check the score afterreaching the Australian Openquarternals.

To her elation, it was aBroncos win.The two-time Australian

Open champion had just beatenBarbaro Strycova 6-2, 6-4 inthe fourth round on Monday

— con tin uing a thr ee-yea rsequence of wins against theCzech player that started inthe second round in 2014 andincluded the third round lastyear — when she wanted toknow the result of the AFCtitle game.

“Can somebody please tellme, did Broncos win?” shesaid, taking over her on-courtTV interview. When she heardthe Denver Broncos had beatenthe New England Patriots 20-

18, she shouted “Yesss!!” —stepping back and raising botharms, “I’m so happy now.”

“I was so nervous thewhole morning, I didn’t watch.I didn’t want to know theresult,” she said. “As you cansee I’m a crazy sports fanatic,so I understand you guys whenyou get all nervous and stuff,

because I felt that.”Peyton Manning’s Broncos

will face Cam Newton’sCarolina Panthers in the 50thSuper Bowl. Azarenka hasalready shown some allegianceto Newton and the Panthers,

GAP, France (AP) -- Three-timeworld champion Sebastien Ogierwon the season-opening MonteCarlo rally in style on Sunday,taking two of the three stages toclinch a third straight win at hisfavourite race.

The Frenchman led overnightfrom Andreas Mikkelsen of

Norway, and nished nearly twominutes ahead of his Volkswagenteammate for his 33rd careervictory.

“This rally is the mostimportant of the season for me,”Ogier said. “So emotional to

be able to do it here in MonteCarlo.”

Just like on Saturday, Ogierwon the day’s opening stage —

beating Hyundai drivers DaniSordo of Spain and BelgianThierry Neuville, who nishedthe race in third place overall.

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates (AP)-- Rickie Fowler puffed his cheeks and shookhis head. What looked like being a processionto the Abu Dhabi Championship title ended up

being a squeeze for the American on Sunday.It needed two moments of inspiration in the

nal round to seal a one-shot victory — andspark more talk about Fowler’s place in golf’scurrent elite.

Dressed in his trademark Sunday orange,Fowler rebounded from a double-bogey at No.7, which helped trim his lead over a congested

pack of challengers from four strokes to one, by chipping in from 30 yards for eagle from a bunker at No. 8.

Then, at No. 17, Fowler holed a chip from

just off the green for a birdie that shook off playing partner Thomas Pieters, the Belgianwho emerged from the bunch to chase Fowlerall the way down the stretch.

“It was not how it was planned,” a smilingFowler said of the tight nish, “but came outon top.”

Fowler, who held a two-stroke lead after athird-round 65, shot a 3-under 69 for 16-under272 overall. Pieters (67) was runner-up, with

BARCELONA, Spain (AP) -- Real Madrid dropped its rst pointsunder coach Zinedine Zidane in a 1-1 draw at Real Betis on Sunday,

while Atletico Madrid failed to regain the Spanish league lead fromBarcelona after nishing goalless against 10-man Sevilla.

Madrid could only muster a second-half goal by Karim Benzemato cancel out Alvaro Cejudo’s stunner. Despite seeing his team fallfour points adrift of the pace-setting pair, Zidane tried to be upbeatabout Madrid’s performance and prospects.

“We dropped two points, that is the negative part, but there were positive things too. And we have to think we can overcome, this because the league is very long,” Zidane said. “We deserved muchmore from the game we played. We were unlucky.”

doing her version of the “dab”in her victory celebrations.

Told the Panthers were well

ahead of the Cardinals in the NFC decider, Azarenka said“Well then, it’s going to bemy dream nal, I can’t wait tosee that.”

Azarenka is coming offtwo injury-interrupted seasons,

but is returning to the kind ofform that took her to the No.1-ranked and back-to-backAustralian Open titles in 2012and ‘13.

She won the BrisbaneInternational leading into therst major of the season, anddropped only ve games in herrst three rounds at Melbourne

Park. Strycova, who beat third-ranked Garbine Muguruza inthe third round, took six games

off Azarenka.“She’s such a toughopponent. I’m just so happy Iwent through,” she said. “I playedsmart, I played aggressive, I tookmy opportunities and I reallykept my composure.”

Next up she faces No. 7Angelique Kerber, who beatfellow German Annika Beck6-4, 6-0 in the preceding matchon Rod Laver Arena.

Kerber, who saved a match point in her first -round winover Misaki Doi, is into thequarternals for the rst timein Australia.

Azarenka, in form, and into Australian Open quarterfnals

Victoria Azarenka of Belarus hits a forehand return to BarboraStrycova of the Czech Republic during their fourth round match atthe Australian Open tennis championships in Melbourne, Australiaon Monday. --Photo AP

fast-nishing Rory McIlroy (68) and HenrikStenson (67) tied for third.

There was satisfaction for Fowler withclaiming his fourth win worldwide in nine months,after victories at The Players Championship,the Scottish Open, and the Deutsche BankChampionship in 2015. This win will move himfrom No. 6 to No. 4 in the rankings, for a rst-ever spot in the world’s top ve.

The so-called “Big Three” of Jordan Spieth,Jason Day and McIlroy may need to be enlarged.

“I want to be part of the crew. It would be a pretty good foursome,” Fowler said. “I think Imentioned through the summer at some point, Isaid I was a sneaky fourth. We’ve got to take careof a major and then maybe I can join the crew.”

The win was extra special for Fowler,considering Spieth (No. 1), McIlroy (No. 3) andStenson (No. 5) were in the eld — arguably thestrongest the European Tour will have this year.

Spieth tied for fth — ve shots behindFowler — after a 68 and acknowledged afterhis nal round that he was “beat up, mentallyand physically,” having played in South Korea,China, Australia, Bahamas, Hawaii and now AbuDhabi since October.

Fowler wins in Abu Dhabi,

another near miss for McIlroy

Rickie Fowler of the Unites States watches the ball after the tee off at the third hole during the nal roundof the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates on Sunday. --Photo AP

Mikkelsen won the nextstage, with Sordo again second,

but clawed back only 13.6seconds on Ogier, who was downin seventh spot.

Ogier won the nal powerstage ahead of Sordo and

Mikkelsen, collecting three bonus points to go with his win.

The power stage was a testing12 kilometers (7.5 miles) fromCol de l’Orme to St. Laurent inthe French Alps.

It started with a climb upCol de L’Orme — a mountain

pass that features on the Tour deFrance cycling race — on oldand bumpy tarmac, followed bya fast downhill nish featuringseveral hairpin bends to testdrivers’ nerves.

Ogier completed it in a littleover eight minutes to cap a nerace. “I’m very happy. I have to

thank my team and especiallymy gravel crew; they’ve done agreat job,” Ogier said. “The carwas perfect, I’m so happy to takethis win for Volkswagen.”

Meanwhile, Jari-MattiLatvala, who abandoned

overnight because of frontsuspension damage to hisVolkswagen, was given asuspended one-race ban andned 5,000 euros (US$5,400)after hitting a spectator onSaturday.

The spectator got straight back up after being clipped bythe front of Latvala’s car, but theFinnish driver was punished byrace stewards — who viewedon-board images of the incident

— for not stopping to check ashe carried on driving.

The suspended ban is in forcefor the rest of the season.

World champion Ogier winsseason-opening Monte Carlo rally

World championSebastien Ogierof France (left )and his co driverJulien Ingrassia

of France (right )receive theirtrophy fromPrince Albert II ofMonaco, secondleft, after winningthe 84th Rally ofMonte Carlo onSunday.--Photo AP

Barcelona emerged as the big beneciary of the weekendafter Atletico’s stumble left itahead on goal difference thanksto Saturday’s 2-1 win at Malaga.The title-holders will also havea game in hand after they hostAtletico next weekend in a highlyanticipated meeting between thelast two league champions.

Zidane had overseen twolopsided wins in the comfortof Madrid’s Santiago Bernabeustadium since taking over fromthe much-maligned Rafa Benitez.

But Madrid’s slip in Sevilleshowed that it will take more than

a change of coach to remedy itsills on the road, where it has nowwon just four of its 10 leaguegames this season.

“We know (the title) is goingto be tough,” Madrid defenderPepe said.

Zidane appeared to have been given an easy rst outing.

Betis, which returned tothe topflight this season, waswinless in 10 matches acrossall competitions and lost 5-0 toMadrid the last time they visitedtwo seasons ago.

But a brilliant goal fromCejudo, some ne goalkeepingfrom former Madrid goalieAntonio Adan, and Madrid’sown lack of a nishing touch

added up to another setback forthe powerhouse.

“Many things have to goright for you to take a point fromMadrid. You have to make themost of your scoring chancesand hope that they don’t have agood day,” said Betis managerJuan Merino. “This gives me a

boost of condence.”

Madrid drops 1st pts underZidane, Atletico leaves Barca top

Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo (left ) and Betis’ Molinero (right ) viefor the ball during the La Liga soccer match at the Benito Villamarinstadium, in Seville, Spain on Sunday. --Photo AP

7/21/2019 2016 VTN Issue 021


28 Vientiane Times

Sports

Tuesday January 26, 2016

Sports

Sangkhomsay

Bubphanouvong

Many provincesa r e n o wo r g a n i s i n gl oca l spo r t s

competitions in the hope ofselecting talented footballersto compete at the 11th NationalStudent Games to be hosted byBorikhamxay in 2017.

From January 26-29, XiengKhuang will hold a provincialfootball competition for maleand female secondary schoolstudents. The competition will

be run by the Education andSports Department and Spiritof Soccer.

There are eight boys’

football teams from eightdistricts in Xieng Khuang

province and ve girls’ footballteams from ve districts.

The provincial Educationand Sports Department’s target

is for friendly games to enhancethe skills of young footballersand to select talented playersto represent the province atthe 11th Student Games to beheld in Borikhamxay province.

It is also hoped the footballcompetition will assist ineducating the young studentsof Xieng Khuang about theunexploded bombs that stillexist in remote area of the

province.After the Student Games,

Xieng Khuang province willhost the 11th National Gamesat the end of 2017.

At the end of 2015,Xieng Khuang hosted itsown games, comprisingfootball, volleyball, petanque,

badminton, sepak takraw,taekwondo, and track and eldevents.

Xieng Khuang provincesent more than 300 athletes,trainers and officials to the

10th National Games inOudomxay province last year.

The team finished 10thwith nine gold, 17 silver and22 bronze medals.

2017 will be rst time thatXieng Khuang has hosted the

National Games. The province previously hosted the NationalTraditional Games in 2011.

Elsewhere, the Borikhamxay provincial Education and SportsDepartment held the annualstudent games from January14-21. Events included football,sepak takraw, volleyball,

petanque, badminton, chess,top spinning, crossbow, andtrack and eld.

The 2017 National StudentGames in Borikhamxay province

will feature football, sepaktakraw, volleyball, petanque,

badminton, chess, top spinning,crossbow, taekwondo, tabletennis, basketball, and track andeld events.

LONDON (AP) -- A changeof managers at Chelsea butArsenal still can’t conquer itsLondon rival.

Arsenal was undone by adamaging five-minute spellin the rst-half of Sunday’sderby against a Chelsea teamunbeaten after a month underGuus Hiddink’s control.

Per Mertesacker was sentoff for tripping Diego Costa,then the striker scored thegame’s only goal at the EmiratesStadium in the 23rd minute.

“He got Mertesacker sentoff,” Arsenal manager ArseneWenger said of Costa. “A factis a fact, I do not accuse him

of anything. It’s just whathappened.”

It’s now four years, threemonths since Wenger gured

into a fortress this season,remaining unbeaten in theleague since the opening day

— until Sunday.Arsenal dropped from rst

to third place this weekend, behind leader Leicester andManchester City, althoughthere are 45 points still to

play for.“We had a mountain to

climb with 10 men but I believe even there, there wasenough to come out at leastwith a 1-1,” Wenger said. “It’sa shame to put such an energyinto a game and come awaywithout the point. And overallI felt we gave absolutely

everything until the end.”Wenger was jeered by

Arsenal fans for replacingstriker Olivier Giroud with

decision and for me it wasquite normal,” Wenger toldreporters. “We had to go forlong distances and we needed

pace to go from one goal tothe other. We knew we had todrop deeper and use pace toget forward.”

For Chelsea, the focus isnow on the Champions Leagueand FA Cup.

Since Jose Mourinho wasfired last month for turningthe champs into chumps, theleague campaign has beenabout restoring pride.

Hiddink has achievedthree wins and four draws,

but Chelsea is still in the lower

reaches of the standings in 13th place. The fourth ChampionsLeague place, occupied byTottenham 14 points away,

Provinces prepare buddingtalent for 2017 Student Games

Arsenal down to 3rd in PremierLeague after Chelsea loss

Arsenal’s Laurent Koscielny (front ) and Chelsea’s Branislav Ivanovic fall over each other as they vie forthe ball during the English Premier League soccer match between Arsenal and Chelsea at the Emiratesstadium in London on Sunday. --Photo AP

Sangkhomsay Bubphanouvong

Shooters from Laos, Singapore, Thailand,Hong Kong and Macao will test their skillsin a friendly competition at the new Mesa

Shooting Training Centre in Vientiane fromFebruary 13.

The 9mm pistol competition will see menand women take part in a rst time test run of theshooting range. The project in Somsa-nga village,Xaysettha district, is still currently on target withwork expected to be 95 percent complete comecompetition time mid next month.

The 12 hectare site is owned by the Ministryof Public Security with the Consultancy Companyon Investment and Electrical Construction havinginvested some US$10 million in the trainingcentre which features 20 shooting lanes for rieevents and another 35 lanes for pistol events.

Lao Shooting Federation Vice President MrLamphieng Phommakong said some shootersfrom neighbouring countries had already visited

the new centre and were very interested in attendingthe friendly competition.

“In April, many police will also be competing atthe shooting range as part of celebrations for PoliceDay on April 5,” Mr Lamphieng said.

He said after the test run competitions shooterswould be able to train regularly at the new facility.

The Vientiane Shooting Federation and LaoShooting Federation will also have the opportunityto hold national and international competitions(piston and rie events) in the future.

The Lao Shooting Federation team won threegold, one silver and one bronze medal at the 25thSEA Games in Vientiane in 2009.

At the 28th SEA Games in Singapore last yearthe Lao team unfortunately nished outside themedals. It was the same at the 27th SEA Games inMyanmar in 2013, but Laos did win a gold medalat the 26th SEA Games in Indonesia in 2011.

Meanwhile, the Lao women’s shooting teamgained good experience at the Asian Games in theRepublic of Korea in September 2014.

International shooterstake aim at new Mesa facility

Lao women pistol shooters at the 9th National Games in Luang Prabang province. (File photo)

2016 VTN Issue 021

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