Vientiane Times/ANN
Banks reveal public’s preference for foreign currencies over kip
VIENTIANE (Vientiane Times/ANN) – Businesses and the general public prefer to deposit their money in foreign currency accounts despite the Bank of the Lao PDR actively promoting use of the national currency.According to the latest annual report from the Bank of the Lao PDR, the ...
Ekaphone Phouthonesy
Storms sweep Laos, destroy homes
VIENTIANE (Vientiane Times/ANN) – Several houses and buildings were destroyed or damaged after storms passed over the country last week.The Meteorology and Hydrology Department, under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, had warned that severe weather events could occur in northern and central Laos ...
News Desk
Khammuan raises the bar in rice production
KHAMMUAN, Laos (Vientiane Times/ANN) – The agricultural practices commonly employed in Khammuan province are still mostly traditional but farmers are gradually being introduced to modern methods so they can grow better quality rice and earn more money.The introduction of modern equipment is expected to help ...
News Desk
New guidance issued for railway development in Laos
VIENTIANE (Vientiane Times/ANN) – President Bounnhang Vorachit recently issued a presidential ordinance promulgating the new Law on Railways, which provides guidance on railway development.The 50-page law defines principles, regulations and measures to manage, follow up and inspect railway affairs. These are aimed at ensuring the ...
Souksakhone Vaenkeo
Visitors to Laos' Xong River are welcome, their rubbish is not
VIENTIANE (Vientiane Times/ANN) – Walk south along the Xong River in Vangvieng district, Vientane province and you will be horrified by the amount of garbage discarded by people enjoying various activities on the river.Unfortunately, too many of the people who go tubing, kayaking and boating ...
News Desk
Laos' rice exports expected to fall following 2018 floods
VIENTIANE (Vientiane Times/ANN) – Laos is anticipating reduced income from rice exports in 2019 in the wake of widespread flooding across the country last year.The country set a target of US$45.6 million for rice exports last year but could only achieve US$31.4 million, according to ...
News Desk
Ministry looks to 2025 with latest five-year agricultural strategy in Laos
VIENTIANE (Vientiane Times/ANN) – The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry has outlined plans to ensure it is on track to meet the goals of its agriculture development strategy for 2025.The report, a five year development plan until 2025, states that the ministry’s expectation is for ...
Ounkham Pimmata
Vientiane, Ho Chi Minh City ink agreement to improve workers’ skills
VIENTIANE (Vientiane Times/ANN) – Vientiane and Ho Chi Minh City signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) last week aiming to build comprehensive cooperation in labour and social welfare.The Vice Mayor of Vientiane, Mr Sihoun Sitthileuxay, and officials from the two sides witnessed the signing between ...
News Desk
Korea International Cooperation Agency supports capacity building for labour inspectors
VIENTIANE (Vientiane Times/ANN) – The Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) has been hosting a series of fellowship programmes to improve the capacity of Lao labour inspectors through enhanced background knowledge and practical case studies.The initiative is scheduled to run for three years from 2018 to ...
News Desk
Lao-Thai-Australian friendship celebrated at bridge’s 25th anniversary
VIENTIANE (Vientiane Times/ANN) – A raft of activities took place over the weekend to mark the 25th anniversary of the opening of the first Lao-Thai friendship bridge, which was funded by Australia, highlighting Australia’s continuing pivotal role in maintaining peace and prosperity in the Mekong ...
Ekaphone Phouthonesy