Vientiane Times

wednesDAY January 27, 2016

The First National English Language Newspaper

ISSUE 22

Phongsaly officials given public holiday

as cold weather strikes

Times Reporters

The Governor of Phongsaly

province has announced
that officials working in all
government departments are
to have a three-day holiday
after freezing weather hit the
provincial capital this week.
The holiday will run from
Monday to Wednesday and will
be extended if the temperature
stays below 5 degrees Celsius,
according to the provincial
Administration Office.
However, officials in some
government departments such
as the police, defence and
public health are working as
normal.
Cold weather hit the
province at the weekend
with the provincial capital
experiencing heavy frost,
power outages and traffic
difficulties, Director of the
provincial Agriculture and
Forestry Department, Mr Santi
Keonhasane, told Vientiane
Times yesterday.
The low temperatures
also killed a lot of poultry
but the department has not
received any information about
livestock deaths, in particular
buffaloes and cattle, from local
authorities.
A heavy frost has blanketed
the capital for the last couple of

The Party has confirmed it is

making a serious effort to combat
corrupt activities by meting
out penalties against members
charged with misconduct.
The confirmation came
in a message from the Party
Central Committees Inspection
Committee and Government

4500 kip

Xieng Khuang
intensifies
poppy
eradication
efforts
Times Reporters

Khamphon-Snow at Phouphapheung mountain between Boun Neua district to Khua district, Phongsaly province.--Photo Bouravong Phommavixay

days, causing some trees to fall

down, and a large number of
families are staying at home as
conditions outside are difficult,
said Mr Santi.
The low temperatures
are also making life difficult

for motorists with some cars

refusing to start and drivers
having problems on icy roads.
Newly planted crops such as
pumpkins and long beans have
also been affected, he added.
The temperature yesterday

was recorded at -1.5C, which

was lower than on Monday,
according to the Meteorology
and Hydrology Department.
Huaphan and Xieng
Khuang provinces are also
struggling with similar

conditions, including frost,

wind and rain.
The power went off at
9am in Xamneua district,
Huaphan province, after heavy
rain. The cut lasted until the

Continued page 3

Party confirms tough measures against misconduct

Times Reporters

The 10th Congress of Lao

Peoples Revolutionary Party

Inspection Authority when

reporting on their anti-corruption
work to the 10th Party Congress.
Speaking at the congress last
week, Vice President of the Party
Central Committees Inspection
Committee and Government
Inspection Authority, Mr
Khamsouk Bounyavong, said
various Party committees and
inspection committees had

inspected 728 targets in the past

five years. Their inspections
had revealed losses of state
property amounting to more than
14.8 trillion kip (14 trillion kip,
US$70.7 million, more than 310
million Thai baht, and more than
500,000 yuan).
Some 790 billion kip,
US$10.9 million, 24.7 million
baht, and the total amount of

yuan had been recovered.

As a result of the losses,
one provincial Party committee
had been warned, seven district
Party committees and some Party
units had been criticised, and
measures were meted out against
1,556 Party members. Of these
members 154 were criticised,
221 were warned, 64 removed
from their posts, 234 suspended

from the Party, and 883 were

dismissed from the Party.
Anti-corruption activities
resulted in 147 civil servants and
government employees being
punished, with 168 subject to
lawsuits and 114 receiving court
sentences.
According to Mr Khamsouk,
the Inspection Committee
Continued page 3

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Authorities in Xieng Khuang

province have intensified efforts
to eliminate opium poppy
cultivation, warning that people
found growing the illegal crop
will face penalties.
Provincial officials in charge
of drug supervision and control
said farmers had returned to
cultivating the crop in recent
years after the province was
announced opium-free in 2006.
An order issued by provincial
authorities, which is being
published in the governments
official gazette, instructed all
district authorities to take action
to inspect and instigate measures
to suppress illegal cultivation and
trade of the crop.
Locals are prohibited from
processing poppies, and selling
seedlings and all related products.
Those infringing the order
will be re-educated, warned and
even penalised in line with the
relevant regulations and laws.
District authorities were told
to draw up detailed plans to
introduce alternative cash crops
for opium growers and asked
to introduce programmes to
rehabilitate opium addicts.
Provincial authorities said
officials in charge had failed
to carry out proper inspections
after the province was announced
opium-free in 2006, and exopium farmers had returned
to growing the crop, normally
found in remote communities.
Officials said the rising price
of opium in local and external
markets had tempted farmers to
start regrowing poppies.
Laos has struggled to reduce
poppy cultivation in recent years,
Continued page 2

2 Home news

Vientiane Times

Wednesday January 27, 2016

Govt vows to contain

polio outbreak

Xayxana Leukai

Prime Minister Thongsing

Thammavong has advised
foreign nationals of all ages
wanting to visit Laos for at
least one month to ensure
they receive at least one polio
vaccination.
In addition, Lao citizens of
all ages who intend to travel
abroad are advised to have
at least one polio vaccination
one month before leaving the
country.
The warnings come after
two children died of polio in
Longxan district, Xaysomboun
province, with the total number
of confirmed recent polio cases
in Laos having reached seven.
The Ministry of Health in
collaboration with the World
Health Organisation in Laos
reported that polio cases
had been identified in the
provinces of Borikhamxay and
Xaysomboun.
Additional suspected
cases in these provinces and
other locations are being
further investigated. The
Lao government responded
immediately to the outbreak
after it was detected in
October 2015 by providing
vaccinations to children living
in the two affected provinces as
well as nearby Xieng Khuang
province.
Deputy Manager of the
National Centre for Maternal
and Child Healths Expanded
Programme of Immunisation,

Dr Kongxay Phounphenghack,
said the immunisation
campaign will continue until
three rounds of polio vaccine
have been administered, with
the programme scheduled to
continue until March.
Tw o r o u n d s o f
immunisation took place in
these provinces in October
and November including the
completion of one nationwide
round for all children under
15, covering a total target
population of around 2.4
million.
Under the national outbreak
plan, monthly vaccinations are
planned through at least March
in order to stop the outbreak.
The prime minister
declared the polio outbreak
to be a National Public Health
Emergency on January 13.
This will pave the way for
the Ministry of Health and all
related departments, private
organisations and communities
to strengthen their coordinated
efforts to engage all local level
functionaries in the response.
Declaring the polio
outbreak a national public
health emergency alerts
health professionals across
the country to actively look
for additional suspected cases
and ensure that every child
is immunised during each of
the planned immunisation
campaigns between now and
March.
This declaration also calls
for the participation of all

subnational administrative and

non-health professionals, and
local civil society organisations
including development and
donor partners to support the
national government in this
immense effort.
As part of the new measures,
to prevent further spread of the
disease, citizens of all ages
who plan to travel outside
the country are encouraged
to receive at least one dose
of polio vaccine before they
leave.
International visitors are
also encouraged to be fully
vaccinated against polio prior
to their arrival in Laos.
Polio is a serious disease
that leads to lifelong paralysis
or death. There is no treatment,
but it can be prevented through
vaccination.
Worldwide, there were
fewer cases of polio reported
in 2015 than at any point in
history since reporting started.
The global polio eradication
initiative was started in
1988 when more than 1,000
children around the world
were paralysed from polio
every day. In 2015, only just
over 100 cases were reported
worldwide.
We stand committed to
wipe out polio from the Lao
PDR, said Mr Thongsing.
We will ensure that every
efforts is made to save our
children from this serious
disease for which a safe and
effective vaccine is available.

Xieng Khuang intensifies... from page 1

despite its earlier success in eliminating the crop.
Opium poppy cultivation has stabilised at high levels in Laos and Myanmar, according to a survey
released recently by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).
The 2015 Southeast Asian Opium Survey showed that Myanmar remains the regions top opium
producer and the worlds second largest after Afghanistan, the survey published on December 16 on
the UN News Centres website showed.
Together, Myanmar and Laos produced between 731 and 823 metric tonnes of opium, most of which
was refined into the equivalent of roughly 73.1 to 82.3 metric tonnes of street grade heroin for regional
and international drug markets, according to the report.
Surveys of farmers in poppy-growing villages found that money generated from poppy cultivation
is essential for villagers threatened with food insecurity and poverty.
Raw opium was being traded at US$1,800 a kilogram and the price had trended upwards annually,
Chairman of the Lao National Commission for Drug Control and Supervision, Kou Chansena, said.
He added that Laos needed support from the international community to finance and run programmes
that introduced alternative income-generating activities for opium growers to replace their illegal poppy
cultivation.

Director of the Chinese Culture Centre in Laos, Mr QueXiaohua (left), addresses the news conference
in Vientiane on Tuesday.

Chinese New Year celebrations

planned for Vientiane
Times Reporters

Chinese New Year celebrations

are being planned at the
Vientiane Centre from January
30-31, in a bid to build
relations and promote cultural
exchanges between Laos and
China.
New Year is the most
important holiday in the
Chinese calendar, with the
day itself falling on February 8.
Director of the Chinese
Culture Centre in Laos, Mr
QueXiaohua, told media at a
newsconference on Tuesday
that more activities would be
arranged in Vientiane this year
than previously.
Last year we celebrated

the day at the Lao National

Culture Hall when over
2,000 people turned up. This
year we expect to see more
participants, he said.
This year s activities
include cultural performances
f r o m C h i n a s X i n j i a n g
province, Chinese food, a
lion dance, a Chinese national
culture show, Chinese films,
and a question-and-answer
session about China where
participants can win prizes.
The purpose of these
events is to promote cultural
exchanges between Laos and
China and to enhance mutual
understanding and friendship
between the two countries.
The New Year is important

to Chinese living in Laos and

also to Lao people who wish
to understand more about this
colourful Chinese tradition.
The news conference
was attended by the Director
of the Chinese Culture
Centre, Mr QueXiaohua,
Vice President of the Lao
Journalists Association, Mr
SomsanoukMixay, officials
and media personnel.
T h i s y e a r s e v e n t i s
organised by the Chinese
Culture Centreand overseen by
the Chinese Embassy to Laos.
The Chinese Culture Centre
was established in Vientiane on
November, 2014, to promote
the development of ChinaLaos relations.

SMEs to benefit from export programme

Mr Khemdetth
Sihavong
(right) and Mr
Sani Ismail
(left).

Lao Press in Foreign Languages

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Phetphoxay Sengpaseuth

The private sector and small

and medium-sized enterprises
(SMEs) will benefit from the
ongoing SME E-Commerce
and Export Enhancement
Development Programme
(SEED), according to officials.
A workshop took place in
Vientiane yesterday to discuss
the programme, attended by
Deputy Director General of the
Import and Export Department
under the Ministry of Industry
and Commerce, Mr Khemdetth
Sihavong, and a representative
of the Asian Development
Bank (ADB) to Laos, Mr Sani
Ismail.
The project aims to improve
the capacity of SME export and
import markets by utilising
e-commerce platforms.
During the workshop,
participants reported on the

progress of activities and shared

future plans and critical success
factors of the project. They also
discussed case studies, roles
and responsibilities of relevant
stakeholders, the concept
of Barterflis e-commerce
trading eco-system, and
implementation of the project,
officials said.
Speaking at the workshop,
Mr Khemdetth said it would
be valuable in creating
understanding about the
challenges faced by SMEs
and the need to incorporate
e-commerce systems.
He noted that the
government had developed a
strategy for private sector SME
development aimed at export
assurance and the promotion
of commodities in this sector
such as the SEED programme.
The project will continue
to support the governments

efforts to develop the private

sector and SMEs through
policies that widen access to
support services, improving
regulatory efficiency, and
strengthening trade policies to
support SME development,
he said.
Mr Sani Ismail said
the main objective of the
project was to promote the
establishment and sustainable
development of Lao SMEs
but the sector still faced many
export challenges particularly
the use of e-commerce.
The workshop had an
important role in helping SMEs,
along with other government
efforts in promoting the sector,
which were needed to boost
Lao exports, he said.
The SME cooperation
programme betw een the
government and the ADB
began in 2011.

Vientiane Times

Wednesday January 27, 2016

Home news

Govt achieves key

milestones towards MDGs

Times Reporters

Fuel prices at petrol stations have dropped after the government announcement.

Fuel prices drop for second

time this month
Times Reporters

Fuel prices at petrol stations

around the country have
dropped further following a
fall on the world market.
The Ministry of Industry
and Commerce announced that
it adjusted the fuel price lower
for a second time this month.
The latest price reduction
came into effect yesterday
morning in Vientiane and the
provinces.
In Vientiane, petrol station
prices dropped from 8,160 kip

to 7,970 kip a litre of premium

petrol, 7,130 kip to 6,970 kip
a litre of regular grade petrol,
while diesel decreased from
5,750 kip to 5,600 kip.
In Khammuan province,
premium petrol went down
from 8,190 kip to 8,000 kip and
from 7,160 kip to 7,000 kip for
regular, while diesel went from
5,780 kip to 5,630 kip.
In Savannakhet province
prices dropped from 8,190
kip to 8,000 kip a litre for
premium, 7,160 kip to 7,000
kip for regular and 5,780 kip

Weather forecast

to 5,630 kip for diesel, while

in Champassak province they
went from 8,220 kip to 8,030
kip for premium petrol, 7,190
kip to 7,030 for kip regular
petrol, and from 5,810 kip
to 5,660 kip for diesel. In
Bokeo province, premium petrol
dropped from 8,260 kip to 8,070
kip a litre, 7,230 kip to 7,070 kip
for regular petrol and 5,850 kip
to 5,700 kip for diesel, while in
Xieng Khuang province regular
petrol reduced from 7,330 kip
to 7,330 kip per litre, and diesel
from 5,950 kip to 5,790 kip.

Party
confirms...
From page 1
and Government Inspection
Authority have received more
than 3,567 complaints, which
mostly related to land disputes,
dissatisfaction with court
decisions and enforcement of
court decisions, and the conduct
of government staff.
Mr Khamsouk said even
though the committee and
authority had taken positive
steps to tackle misconduct,
several issues needed
addressing such as beefing
up inadequate legislation on
inspection, and improving the
targeting and frequency of
inspection activities.
He also mentioned other
deficiencies in inspections which
resulted in the non-recovery
of losses and some offenders
going unpunished while there
remained a lack of punitive
legal deterrents, weak anticorruption action and insufficient
responsibility on the part of Party
committees and authorities in
inspection work.
Mr Khamsouk gave
recommendations for inspection
work to be improved, pointing to
the need to enhance legislation,
mechanisms, rules, and guidance
on implementation, to ensure
proper and broad understanding
of the law.
He stressed that all inspection
activities should strictly
comply with the rules. He also
noted the lessons learned and
achievements made in tackling
misconduct and the prioritising
of effective inspection efforts
by Party committees and
administrative bodies.

The government has achieved

a number of key critical
milestones through the Ministry
of Planning and Investment
(MPI) programme for realising
the Millennium Development
Goals (MDGs) in Laos.
Representatives from line
ministries and development
partners yesterday met
in Vientiane to review the
consolidated programme of
support to the ministry for the
achievement of the goals of the
7th National Socio-economic
Development Plan (NSEDP)
for 2011-2015.
The meeting was cochaired by Deputy Minister of
Planning and Investment Dr
Kikeo Chanthaboury and UN
Resident Coordinator /UNDP
Resident Representative Ms
Kaarina Immonen.
This programme is
an important milestone for
collaboration and partnership
between the Lao government
and UNDP including the
governments of Luxembourg
and Switzerland for the
realisation of the 7th NSEDP,
including the MDGs and the
transition to the 8th NSEDP and
the transition to the Sustainable
Development Goals (SDGs),
Dr Kikeo said in his opening
remarks.
He said that during the past
five years, the MPI programme
has been a critical driving force
in assisting the Lao government
through the Ministry of
Planning and Investment and
Ministry of Foreign Affairs to
ensure the effective application
of results-based national
planning in Laos.
In 2015, through the
programme, a number of key
milestones were achieved

Dr Kikeo Chanthaboury and Ms Kaarina Immonen co-chair the

meeting.

under the leadership of the

government.
These achievements
include the finalisation of the
outcome-based 8th NSEDP and
integration of its monitoring
and evaluation framework;
the introduction of the SDGs
to relevant ministries and
their integration into the 8th
NSEDP; the adaptation of the
new Vientiane Declaration
on Partnership for Effective
Development Cooperation
through the 12th High Level
R o u n d Ta b l e M e e t i n g ;
preparation of the National
Human Development Report;
and capacity enhancement of
the Lao Statistics Bureau.
These milestones are
integral to progress towards
achieving the Least Developed
Country (LDC) graduation
criteria by 2020, within the
framework of the 8th NSEDP
and the SDGs, Dr Kikeo said.
This year is an important
crossroads in Laos
development journey with the
implementation of the outcomes
of the 12th High Level Round

Table Meeting, the preparation

and implementation of the new
8th NSEDP, the rollout of the
SDGs and the launching of the
National Human Development
Report on LDC graduation.
Therefore, in consultation
with UNDP, the ministry
has agreed to extend the
current programme until the
end of 2016 to support the
government in the 8th NSEDP
implementation and transition
to the SDGs.
In addition, the extended
period is vital as it will allow
time to review the MPI
programme which will generate
findings to help inform the
formulation of the UNDPsupported programme to assist
the Ministry of Planning and
Investment and the Ministry
of Foreign Affairs to perform
efficiently according to their
role and mandate over the next
five years, Dr Kikeo said.
He also called for joint
efforts to focus on forwardlooking exercises, building on
the achievements made and
lessons learnt so far.

Police investigate explosion

in Xaysomboun
Times Reporters

Police are investigating the

circumstances surrounding a
bomb that allegedly exploded
in Xaysomboun province on
Sunday morning, killing two
men as they were driving along a
road. Another person was injured
in the explosion.
Provincial authorities told

Vientiane Times on Tuesday they

had heard reports of the incident
but had no further information.
According to an item
published by the Lao News
Agency on Tuesday, citing
local authorities, persons
unknown placed an improvised
explosive device on a road
above the Mo River, about five
kilometres from the centre of

Anouvong district.
The Lao News Agency said
a bomb had been placed on the
road by destructive elements,
killing two occupants of a vehicle
that passed along the road on
Sunday morning and injuring
a third.
No information was given as
to the nationality of the people
travelling in the vehicle.

Phongsaly officials given... from page 1

afternoon, slowing the work
of government staff and office
workers.
Some organisations were
unable to collect information
on the prevailing conditions
and their effects because of the
cold, according to Mr Santi.
Flights between Vientiane
and Oudomxay province were
cancelled from Sunday to
Tuesday. Flights on other
northern routes between
Vientiane and Luang Namtha,
Bokeo and Xieng Khuang
provinces are still operating but
there have been some delays
due to poor weather.
To ensure that children stay
well, the Minister of Education

and Sports announced that

schools in Vientiane and the
provinces would close at the
start of the second semester
next week if temperatures stay
as low as they are at present.
Most schoolchildren are
on holiday this week after
finishing their end-of-semester
exams last week, but some
kindergartens, mostly private,
are not taking a holiday.
Temperatures in some
areas were lower yesterday but
had risen in other places, the
Meteorology and Hydrology
Department noted.
The minimum temperature
in Vientiane yesterday was
10.7 degrees, while Xamneua

district in Huaphan province

reported 2C, Xieng Khuang
1.4C, Oudomxay 3.5C,
Houaysai district in Bokeo
province 6.5C, Luang Namtha
province 5C, Luang Prabang
province 6.5C, and Xayaboury
province 7.4C.
Xaysomboun province
saw temperatures drop to 6C,
Phonhong district in Vientiane
province recorded 10.8C, Pakxan
district in Borikhamxay province
8.2C, Km20 in Khammuan
province 4.5C, Savannakhet
province 11.5C, Pakxe district
in Champassak province 14.4C,
Saravan province 13C, Xekong
province 14.5C, and Attapeu
province 15.6C.

4 Home news

Vientiane Times

Wednesday January 27, 2016

News in Brief
Vientiane pupils donate blankets to local schoolchildren
The Australian International School in Vientiane has donated 121 blankets worth
more than 10 million kip to children at Nongduang Primary School in Chanthabouly
district, the Education and Sport Newspaper reported.
Meanwhile authorities in Oudomxay province donated 100 blankets and cash
to children at Nahuang Secondary School in Xay district worth 17 million kip,
according to the Khuamsangob Newspaper.
The school also asked the parents of children in rural areas to contribute to the cost
of construction of a dormitory for the children.

Illegal, expired goods disposed of in Khammuan

Lao Womens Union members attend yesterdays meeting in Vientiane.

Lao Womens Union

sets future plans

Times Reporters

The Lao Womens Union

(LWU) members committee
met yesterday to discuss
womens development plans for
2016-2020, with a focus on eight
main development programmes
to promote gender rights.
The main programmes
include human resource
development for females,
strengthening the Womens
Union, promoting vocations
and businesses for women,
protecting women and
c h i l d r e n s r i g h t s , a n d
promoting female progress
and gender equality rights.
The meeting continues
today. Yesterdays talks were
attended by the President
of the Lao Womens Union,
Dr Inlavan Keobounphanh,

along with members from the

provinces.
In her opening speech,
Dr Inlavan said the meeting
is important for the LWU,
because it reflected the skills
developed and the progress of
members.
She said to ensure the
success of the meeting all
participants should focus on
their responsibilities and share
ideas on womens development
plans for the next five years.
The purpose of the meeting
is to collect different ideas
from members about the plans,
to report on previous problems,
and to try and resolve these
problems.
The meeting also arranged
the responsibility of each
development plan within the
Unions members committee,

and all sectors of the LWU will

participate in the eight main
development programmes.
The members committee
handed over the female
programme in human resource
development to the media
sector, while the promotion
of vocations and businesses
for the womens programme
was handed over to the Lao
Womens Union training
sector. The other programmes
have been handed over to the
responsible sectors.
Today, the Lao Womens
Union members committees
from the main provinces are
presenting their community
development plans. After the
presentation, all participants
will comment and share their
ideas about the community
development plans.

Official in Yommalath district, Khammuan province, recently disposed of illegal and

expired goods worth more than 10 million kip.
District authorities removed the products from shops in the district, according to the
Pasaxon Newspaper.
Elsewhere, authorities in Huayxai district, Bokeo province, destroyed out-of-date
medicines, bottled drinks, noodles, coffee, monosodium glutamate and other items
worth more than 19 million kip, according to the Laophatthana Newspaper.
After confiscating the expired goods, the authorities warned vendors not to continue
to sell such as items as it was against the law.

Four drug dealers arrested in Vientiane

Vientiane police arrested four drug dealers and seized over 4,000 amphetamine pills,
according to the Khuamsangob newspaper.
The dealers were named as Mr Latdavanh, 24, and Mr Viphakone, 18, both from
Sokkham village, Xaythany district, while Mr Viphalin, 25, and Mr Thilasak, 24,
lived in Sisangvone village, Xaysettha district.
Police arrested the first suspect, Mr Latdavanh, and seized over 1,600 amphetamine
pills found in his possession. Mr Latdavanh told police that Mr Viphakone was also
involved in the drug trade so officials then arrested him and two other dealers and
confiscated an additional 2,700 amphetamine pills.

Laos, Vietnam districts bolster border cooperation

Two districts in Laos and one in Vietnam have agreed to strengthen cooperation to
boost security along their shared borders.
Representatives from the military command offices of Nakai and Boualapha districts
in Laos Khammuan province and Vietnamese Qung Bnh provinces Minh Ha
district recently met in Nakai district to explore ways to boost border security,
according to the Pasaxon Newspaper
They agreed to continue to share information concerning illegal cross-border
trade and discussed ways to boost cooperation in agriculture in order to improve
the livelihoods of local communities. They also discussed further cooperation in
the search for the remains of Vietnamese soldiers who went missing during the
Indochina war.

Vientiane Times

The outgoing Director General of Lao National Radio, Mr Sipha Nonglath (right), on Tuesday
shakes hands with incoming Acting Director General Mr Phosy Keomanivong, after signing
documents to hand over the top position.

Director of the Childrens Hospital, Associate Prof. Dr Bounleua Oudavong (left), on Tuesday
receives medication for the treatment of childhood cancer from the President of Seoul National
University, Mr Nak-In Sung.

Wednesday January 27, 2016

Photo news

Deputy Editor-in-Chief of Pasaxon newspaper, Mr Doungchith Savatbounmy (right), was promoted

to be Acting Editor-in-Chief to replace retiring Editor-in-Chief Mr Siviengkhaek Konevivong
(left). A signing ceremony for the change in positions took place yesterday at the newspapers
offices in Vientiane, witnessed by the Minister and Deputy Minister of Information, Culture and
Tourism respectively, Prof. Dr Bosengkham Vongdara and Mr Savankhone Razmountry. Also
present were directors and officials from various departments of the ministry and newspaper.

Participants pose for a group photo at the Institute of Foreign Affairs in Vientiane during the
closing ceremony of the Asean Reporting course. The course was funded by the Singapore
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and attended by 36 Lao officials from 18 government agencies from
January 18 to 22. The course was conducted by Ms Moe Thuzar of the Institute of Southeast
Studies (ISEAS) Asean Studies Centre based in Singapore. Singapore Ambassador to Laos
Dominic Goh, Deputy Director General of the Lao Ministry of Foreign Affairs Asean Department
Mr Ekkaphab Phanthavong and Head of the ISEAS Asean Studies Centre Dr Tang Siew Mun
attended the closing ceremony.

Oxfam is an international confederation of 17 organizations networked together in 94 countries,

as part of a global movement for change, to build a future free from the injustice of poverty.
Since 2009, the Oxfam confederation has accelerated its harmonisation process working
towards one voice and one programme in a single management structure.
Oxfam has a presence in Laos since the late 1980s, and works to deliver the country strategy
that focuses on sustainable livelihoods, humanitarian assistance, governance and civil society,
and gender and diversity.
Oxfam is currently looking for a: Trans-boundary agribusiness and responsible land
governance Programme Coordinator
Overall Responsibilities
The Programme Officer provides leadership, strategic steer and ensures program development,
as well as operational management to a part of the Oxfam programme focusing on
Sustainable Development and Responsible Investment in the region. The P Officer supports
the operationalization of the Trans boundary Responsible Business in the region within its
specific area of responsibility and coordinate with other programme managers to ensure
Oxfam delivers its strategy.
Required qualifications
Master degree in development economics, Agriculture, business related or development
studies and/or at least 5 years experience in senior strategic level roles in development
sector, preferably working on sustainable livelihoods, food security, land rights and economic
and social rights of rural poor.
Competence in Programme Cycle Management, Result Based Management and MEL
systems, both for structural development programmes and humanitarian assistance.
Excellent understanding and proven experience of financial management, budgeting, and
budgetary control systems.
Good and broad analytical skills and ability to translate analysis into concrete and effective
programme strategies.
Competence in distance team coordination : demonstrable evidence of managing sizeable
resources people, budgets, material; including evidence of demanding high standards of
performance and accountability while being fair in dealing with people and demonstrating
through role modeling.
Competence in programme development, including for back donors.
Competence in capacity-building and organizational or institutional development of local
organizations.

Nineteen Lao university students and their supervisor on Monday leave Wattay International
Airport for Japan to participate in a study tour under the JENESYS2015 project. The group
will stay in Japan from January 26 to February 2 and take part in the Exchange and Experience
in Environment/ Disaster Prevention programme. The study tour focuses on measures against
environmental problems and disasters in Japan.

We offer
A competitive, fair and comprehensive pay and benefits package that is justifiable to our donors
More information and application procedure:
For further information, please refer to the website: www.directoryofngos.org and go to Directory
News/Job Openings.
Are you interested in this position? Send your application in writing, including a motivation
letter and curriculum vitae to sth@oxfamsol.be no later than 14 February 2016.
We promote diversity and practice equity
Only short-listed applicants will be contacted for a personal interview

Students from secondary schools in Vientiane donate blood recently to show their patriotism and
provide blood for those in need of transfusions.
--Photo Phetphoxay

Vientiane Times

Wednesday January 27, 2016

Region
In brief from Asia
News Network
Immigration police
keeping an eye on
new Angel dolls

Thailand (The
Nation) - Immigration
Police officers will
be strict about people
carrying Child Angel
dolls due to fears they
could be used to smuggle
contraband such as
drugs, the national police
chief said yesterday.
Police General Chakthip
Chaijinda said that
criminals could hide
illicit substances in such
dolls when travelling.
Criminals will have
a new way to smuggle
drugs, the police chief
said. I have instructed
all the immigration
checkpoints to be strict
- whether they are at
airports or the borders.
They must also strictly
screen Look Thep
dolls passing their
checkpoints, he added.
Chakthip also opposed
allowing the dolls to be
taken in to airline cabins
because of the risk of
smuggled contraband.

Nepal to gift 2
rhinos to China

Nepal (Kathmandu Post)

- Nepal will provide two
one-horned rhinoceros as
gifts to China upon the
request from the Chinese
side. Forest Minister
Agni Sapkota said Prime
Minister KP Sharma Oli
has directed to forward
the process to gift a
pair of mammals to the
northern neighbours.
PM Oli has agreed to
gift a pair of rhinos to
China. The gifts will
be made after a cabinet
decision, he said.
Chinese Forest Minister
Zhang Jianlong and
other Chinese officials
had requested the Nepali
side for the rhinos
during Forest Minister
Sapkotas visit to China.

79 fire outbreaks
reported nationwide
last week

Myanmar (Eleven)
- Seventy-nine fire
outbreaks were reported
nationwide between
January 1 and 14,
with fires caused by
negligence topping the
list, according to the
Myanmar Fire Services
Department.
Included on the list are
25 fires caused by human
negligencesix in
Magway, four in Yangon,
three each in Bago and
Mandalay, two each in
Ayeyawady and Mon
and one each in Kachin,
Sagaing, Taninthayi,
Rakhine and Shan.
Electrical malfunctions
caused four fires in
Yangon, three each in
Sagaing, Mandalay and
Ayeyawady, two each in
Chin, Mon and Shan and
one each in Kayah and
Nay Pyi Taw.

Party delegates call for anti-corruption policies

HA NOI (Vietnam News)
-- The 11th Party Central
C o m m i t t e e s r e p o r t o n
documents submitted to the
12th National Party Congress
defines the fight against
corruption and wastefulness
as an important task, but also a
difficult one that will take time
to accomplish.
Talking with the Vietnam
News Agency on the
sidelines of the ongoing 12th
National Party Congress,
many delegates stressed the
importance of anti-corruption
efforts, saying that combating
corruption requires the
participation of the entire
society to bring about greater
change.
Advertising
Delegate Le Hoang Phung
from Lam Dong Province
suggested putting anticorruption work at the top
of the agenda. He said this
is the aspiration of the whole
Party and people, and one of
the tasks of all-level Party
organisations.
Delegate Nguyen Van
Cong from Dong Thap
Province stressed the need to
control the income of officials,
especially those in charge of
sensitive economic sectors.
Echoing the delegates
views, delegate Nguyen Viet
Dung from HCM City said
publicity and transparency are
the most important tools in the
fight against corruption.
He also highlighted
societys role in building and
enacting relevant guidelines
and policies for the Party and
the State.
Delegate Vu Trong Kim,
Vice President and General
Secretary of the Vietnam
Fatherland Front Central
Committee, urged consistent
efforts to fight corruption,
adding that the work would
yield better results if it were
supervised by the public.
Major General Truong
Gia Long, from the Party
Organisation of the Ministry
of Public Security, said it is

necessary to accelerate the

building of a pure and strong
Party.
Apart from raising
awareness and responsibility
of each Party official for the
issue, the Party should work
to win the confidence of the
population and join hands in
the national reform cause, he
suggested.
Delegates laud reports
Delegates lauded political
reports presented at the event,
saying they had been prepared
thoroughly and gathered
together the opinions of Party
members nationwide.
Nghiem Xuan Thanh,
a representative of the
Party Central Committees
Business Bloc, said through
discussions, the delegates
reached consensus on the
achievements Vietnam had
recorded over the past five
years.
In the context of
complicated regional and
global situations, the country
had basically stabilised the
m a c r o - e c o n o m y, c u r b e d
inflation and kept economic
growth at an appropriate level.
The delegates attributed
these attainments to monetary
policies issued by the banking
sector, Thanh said.
The Congress also outlined
tasks for the next five years
that would continue the
restructuring of economic
sectors dovetailed with growth
model reform and focusing
on i nves t m ent overhaul
- beginning with public
investment.
According to Thanh,
commercial banks, credit
institutions and businesses,
especially State-owned groups
and corporations, would be
revamped. At the same time,
more efforts would be made
to effectively control bad debt
and guarantee public debts of
State-owned enterprises within
the safety level.
Pham Manh Thuong, a
delegate from the northern
province of Bac Giang, said

The 12th National Party Congress.

the Congress required the

brainpower of all delegates
to continue with reform,
development and integration,
voicing his belief that Vietnam
would become a prosperous
industrialised country soon.
Pham Manh Dao from the
southern province of Dong
Nai underlined the need for
Vietnam to make thorough
preparations for integration
in terms of productivity,
price and quality, describing
integration as an international
playground.
Pham Thien Nghia from
the Mekong Delta province
of Dong Thap said Vietnams
labour structure was shifting
from agriculture towards
industry.
He suggested more
attention be paid to industry
in order to create a momentum
for the economy.
Party building urged
Delegates also underscored
the need to further promote
Party building, with a focus
on being consistent with a

relevant resolution adopted

by the 11th Party Central
Committees fourth plenum.
Kim, of the Vietnam
Fatherland Front Central
Committee, told a Vietnam
News Agency reporter that
the resolution suits current
realities and expectations of
officials, Party members and
people nationwide, adding that
the Party build-up and renewal
must be made a regular task.
In his viewpoint, it is
crucial to raise the spirit of
criticism and self-criticism in
an honest, straightforward and
open manner in line with Party
principles, while conducting
mutual supervision.
Ngo Duy Hieu from Ha
Noi said delegates hoped
that along side the socioeconomic development tasks,
more attention should be paid
to Party building through
inspecting, overseeing and
dealing with any violations.
He stressed that highranking officials should set
good examples and stand in the

vanguard of the Party building

cause.
Delegate Luu Minh Son
from Phu Yen Province said
the Party should show great
political will to successfully
effectuate the resolution and
gradually drive back corruption
and negative phenomena.
Nomination process
Yesterday, the Congress
approved the list of additional
nominees proposed for the
12th Party Central Committee
by delegates on Sunday. The
nominees did not appear on the
list prepared by the 11th Party
Central Committee during
their delegations meetings.
The nomination process
for the 12th Central Committee
was made clear by Le Quang
Vinh, deputy head of the
Office of the Party Central
Committee, when talking with
the press on the sidelines of the
Congress.
Firstly, there are candidates
nominated by the 11th Central
Committee, as prescribed by
the Partys Statutes.

Sri Lanka destroys elephant tusks in pledge India displays military might
to protect endangered species
at Republic Day parade
COLOMBO (Xinhua) -Sri Lankan authorities on
Tuesday destroyed more than
359 African elephant tusks
(blood ivory) worth more
than 350 million Sri Lankan
rupees, in the capital in a
firm commitment to protect

endangered wildlife species.

The ivory was seized
in 2012 by the Sri Lanka
Customs while it was en route
to Dubai from Kenya. The
total weight of the ivory was
around 1,500 kg.
The ivory stock was

publicly destroyed at the Galle

Face Green in Colombo, with
religious offerings to mark the
unnecessary sacrifice of those
elephants. Several government
officials including Minister of
Sustainable Development and
Wildlife Gamini Jayawickrama
Perera, Finance Minister Ravi
Karunanayake and Secretary
General of the Convention
o n I n t e r n a t i o n a l Tr a d e
in Endangered Species of
Wild Fauna and Flora John
E. Scanlon were present to
destroy the tusks.
The ivory was crushed using
a modified crusher and was
then transported to a cement
factory in Puttalam in the North
Western province, to be burned.
The entire process took place
amidst tight security. Minister
Perera said that the event would
highlight to the world, and to
everybody in Sri Lanka, that the
government would not tolerate
any illegal trade of ivory.

NEW DELHI (Xinhua) -India on Tuesday displayed

its military might at its 67th
Republic Day parade in the
national capital, with French
President Francois Hollande
as the chief guest.
The parade started
in the morning under
unprecedented security that
included deployment of 5,000
policemen and 15,000 paratroppers, anti-aircraft guns
and around 1,000 snipers amid
terror threats.
The Indian Army, Indian
Air Force and the Indian
Navy displayed their tanks,
guns, air craft and models
of warships and submarines
on Raj Path, an iconic road
at the heart of the national
capital.
Indian President Pranab
Mukherjee took salute from
the passing forces at the
parade, while Prime Minister
Narendra Modi and the French

president looked on.

Tableax of various Indian
states were put on display,
alongside the military, as the
nation glued on to TV sets to
watch the celebrations.
Though the parade this
year was shorter as there were
fewer marching contingents, a
contingent of French soldiers
added to the colours of
celebrations.
The marching contingents
were led by the French 35th
Infantry Regiment that was
deployed in India between
1781 and 1784.
Indian Vice President
Hamid Ansari, the countrys
main opposition Congress
president Sonia Gandhi and
senior Indian ministers all
were present on the occassion.
Gallantry awards were also
given to families of martyrs
of the Indian armed forces
and children by the Indian
president.

Vientiane Times

Wednesday January 27, 2016 Region

Cruise ship stranded, all

passengers rescued

Experts have low hopes

for Kerrys China trip
China (China Daily) - Chinese
and American experts have low
expectations for US Secretary
of State John Kerrys trip to
China, Laos and Cambodia,
where he is seen as trying to
seek Beijings support to punish
the Democratic Republic of
Korea for its latest nuclear test
while looking for countries in
Southeast Asia to gang up on
China over the South China
Sea issue.
Chinese Foreign Ministry
spokeswoman Hua Chunying
announced on Monday Kerrys
trip to Beijing from Tuesday to
Wednesday, a trip that she said
China hopes to help deepen
communications on a series of
important issues and promote
coordination and cooperation in
various fields.
Kerry began his tour in
the Lao capital of Vientiane
on Sunday and then Phnom
Penh, Cambodia. A senior State
Department official on Sunday
described China as the dominant
player in the two countries, both
economically and politically.
Over the years, the two
countries have long opposed
US efforts to rally Asean
(Association of Southeast Asian
Nations) against China on the
South China Sea issue.
In a background briefing, the
senior official described Kerrys
trip to Laos and Cambodia as
laying the groundwork for the
summit that the US President
Barack Obama will be hosting
at the Sunnylands retreat in
California from Feb 15-16 with

the 10 Asean leaders.

Laos is the chair of Asean
in 2016. Obama hosted
Chinese President Xi Jinping at
Sunnylands in June 2013.
Many Chinese believe that
the US is biased in handling the
maritime territorial disputes in
both the South and East China
seas. It was reported that Kerrys
trip to Beijing was added after
the DPRK declared on Jan 6
that it had successfully tested a
hydrogen bomb.
The US believes the test
was not a powerful hydrogen
bomb, but it has been pushing
for stronger United Nations
Security Council sanctions on
North Korea and also hopes
China would use more of its
leverage unilaterally.
It almost goes without
saying that the issue of the
DPRK and its recent nuclear test
will be on the top of the agenda,
said the senior State Department
official, adding that the South
China Sea is also very much
on the secretarys mind and
something that he will certainly
discuss in depth.
According to the official,
Washington believes that China
has so far not exerted enough
pressure on the DPRK and
that it is important for China
to join the US, the Republic of
Korea and Japan in presenting
a unified front. Ted Carpenter,
a senior fellow of defense and
foreign policy studies at the
Cato Institute, described the US
policy as incredibly arrogant,
short-sighted.

South Korea (The Korea

Herald) - A cruise ship carrying
11 people ran aground in the
Hangang River on Tuesday, but
everyone was rescued safely,
officials said.
A salvage operation was
underway after the 125-tonne
vessel run by Eland Cruise
began to sink at about 2:30
p.m. near the Seongsu Bridge
that links the Seongdong and
Gangnam Districts.
The fire authorities said they
have rescued six passengers
-- including five foreign tourists
-- and another five crewmen
and transported them to medical
facilties.
The exact cause of the
incident will be known only
after a review but it appears
to be a water leak from the
engine room, according to news
reports, adding that the ship
was hauled to the Jamsil Quay
in southeastern Seoul, with the
engineers draining out the water.

A cruise ship is being hauled after being stranded in the Hangang River on Tuesday.

Debris in Thailand not from MH370

PETALING JAYA (The Star) The plane wreckage found off
the coast of southern Thailand
is not from Malaysia Airlines
(MAS) flight MH370, says
Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai(pic).
The Transport Minister
said that the Malaysian team
comprising of Department of
Civil Aviation (DCA), Ministry

and Malaysian Airlines (MAS)

officials found that the part
assembly number, wire bundle
number and bolts part number
did not match those of a Boeing
777. He added that the part
numbers found on the recovered
debris are not listed in the MAS
B777 Illustrated Parts Catalogue
manual. Based on these

identifying details, the team has

confirmed that the debris does
not belong to a B777 9M-MRO
aircraft (MH370), Liow said in
a statement on Tuesday.
A large piece of curved metal
washed ashore in Nakhon Si
Thammarat province, where
villagers reported it to authorities
to help identify it. Liow also

thanked Thailands Transport

Ministry and the Civil Aviation
Authority for facilitating the
identification process. Our
thoughts continue to be with the
families and loved ones of the
passengers and crew of MH370.
We will continue to keep the next
of kin and public updated on any
latest developments of MH370.

Vacancy Announcement
For Locally Recruited Staff
The World Bank is one of the worlds largest sources of funding for the developing world. Its primary focus
is on helping the poorest people and the poorest countries. It uses its financial resources, its staff, and
extensive experience to help developing countries to reduce poverty, increase economic growth, enhance
environmental and social sustainability, and improve their quality of life. The World Bank continues to
strengthen its Vientiane Office as part of its ongoing commitment to supporting the development vision of
Lao PDR. The World Bank invites applications from qualified individuals for the following locally Recruited
Staff positions to join the Lao PDR Country Team in Vientiane.
PROGRAM ASSISTANT (JOB NUMBER: 160159)
Key Responsibilities
The Program Assistant will:
i. Provide quality administrative support to task teams in preparing World Bank documents; formatting
and editing reports, aide-memoires, letters and memos prepared by the Task Team Leaders according
to the Bank guidelines; log incoming mail, file in the Banks electronic filing system and distribute to
the task teams; and dispatch outgoing letters in a timely manner;
ii. Provide logistical support for missions, seminars and workshops; follow up on requests from
Washington team members and correspond with them appropriately;
iii. Maintain project and other records in accordance with system in the work unit; ensure smooth flow
of information among other program assistants in the office;
iv. Provide back-up support to other program assistants as required by the work program, especially
during peak periods; and
v. Other ad hoc duties as assigned from time to time arising from business needs of the office.
Selection Criteria:
i. Bachelor degree with a minimum of 3 years of relevant experience or High School Certificate/Diploma
with a minimum of 5 years relevant experience;
ii. Dedicated team player with excellent organizational skills and ability to prioritize assignments.
Willingness to learn about the teams work, to be able to take on additional responsibility and respond
to queries from external agencies. Able to handle multiple tasks with critical deadlines under minimum
supervision;
iii. Ability to draft routine correspondence and edit materials using proper grammar, punctuation and
style;
iv. Advanced skills and experience in Microsoft software packages (Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint)
and Internet;
v. Effective organizational, communication, inter-personal, problem-solving skills, and ability to produce
high quality work under tight deadlines;
vi. Ability to foresee needs of the team and respond in a pro-active manner;
vii. Ability to pass relevant Bank Group tests in place at time of recruitment (e.g. English language,
computer applications, etc.) as required; and
viii. Prior work experience in an international environment is an advantage
ix. Fluent in written and spoken English and Lao language.
Details (vacancy #160159) are available in the World Bank Jobs website: www.worldbank.org/jobs. All
applications must be submitted through this website. The World Bank Group is committed to achieving
diversity in terms of gender, nationality, culture and educational background. Individuals with disabilities
are equally encouraged to apply. Closing date is February 11, 2016
(Only shortlisted candidates will be notified)

JOB VACANCY

COMPANY OVERVIEW
HAZAMA ANDO CORPORATION (HAC) is Japanese contractor, we had developed in Lao PDR from 1968
and had constructed Nam Ngum Hydro Power project, National Highway No.9, Vientiane International
Airport Expansion project and others.
GENERAL
HAC is starting construction of Vientiane (Wattay) International Airport Terminal Expansion
project with world class engineering and looking for Project Staff for Electrical work, Plumbing
and Air condition work for building and Accounting work .
Location of work: Vientiane (Wattay) International Airport
Re : Electrical work, Plumbing and Air condition work for building
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Studies specifications and design according to construction stage.
Check time schedule and shop drawing on construction site.
Coordinates the work with subcontractor and building users according to site conditions.
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 written/spoken in English language is strong required.
Hard worker and very good communicate skill as coordinator.
Proficient computer skills (MS office, AUTOCAD, MS Project).
Experience of construction work field.
Re :Accounting work
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Daily Petty Cash transaction and record
Record and prepare monthly accounting statement
Prepare monthly payroll
Any other work relating to accounting
JOB REQUIREMENTS
University diploma or equivalent required.
Work experience for accounting
Capability of communication (speak/listen/write/read) in English language
Computer skills (MS office).
Interested candidates are asked to mail/hand delivery or e-mail their application with a comprehensive
CV and cover letter explaining their motivations in English to the listed address;
By Mail or Hand delivery: Please submit to HAZAMA ANDO CORPORATION

Attn :Mr.Bounchanh (Administration Manager)

Wattay International Airport

Souphanouvong Rue, Ban Wattay, Sikhottabong District

Vientiane Capital Lao P.D.R., P.O.BOX 3372
By e-mail: Please submit to Mr. Bounchanh (Administration Manager) : bounchanh.c@ad-hzm.co.th
The dead line for applicant is 1st February, 2016
Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for an interview.

Vientiane Times

Wednesday January 27, 2016

World
Hollande seeking to extend
Frances state
of emergency for 3 months
PARIS (Xinhua) -- Echoing
security concerns as terror
threats resurfaced, French
President Francois Hollande is
seeking lawmakers approval to
extend the state of emergency for
another three months.
In a press release issued by
his office on Friday, Hollande
announced a bill to prolong
the state of emergency would
be presented during a cabinet
meeting scheduled for Feb. 3,
hoping to win large endorsement
of his draft law on protection of
the nation.
On Nov. 19, the National
Assembly voted for the
governments proposal to extend
state of emergency to three
months which is expected to
expire on Feb. 26.
To his followers, prolonging
state of emergency was the
adequate measure to ensure
security at home and foil any
potential terrorist attack in the
country which is among the top
targets of militant cells due to its
military offensive in Syria, Iraq
and Sahel region.
I think prolonging state of
emergency is a good idea and
its useful right now, because it
contributes to our security. We
need to constantly be vigilant
against everyday threats,
French Defene Minister JeanYves Le Drian told France 24.
After gunmen stormed
simultaneously restaurants,

coffees shops, theatre hall

and stadium in Paris on Nov.
13, 2015, killing 130 people,
Hollande declared a state of
emergency a day later.
Speaking to the BBC from
Davos, French Prime Minister
Manuel Valls said, we cannot
always live all the time in a state
of emergency. But, as long as the
threat is there, we must use all
available means.
By intensifying air strikes
against Islamic State targets
in Syria and Iraq, Hollande
announced a war against
terrorism and boosted security
measures at home.
According to a YouGov
survey for iTele new channel
published earlier this month, 77
percent of respondents reported
they are in favor of the state of
emergency which empowers the
police to conduct house searches
without judicial warrants and
arrest suspects.
Since November 2015, the
police have conducted more
than 3,800 raids seizing 500
weapons. Some 300 people were
placed into custody, according to
official figures.
However, the proposed
constitution reform to make
it easier to impose a state of
emergency also gives fuel to
Hollandes domestic critics who
say the law would undermine the
Republic values and freedom of
expression and gathering.

UN Security Council approves

creation of mission in Colombia

Photo shows the United Nations Security Council adopting a resolution to establish a mission to monitor the ongoing peace process
in Colombia.

UNITED NATIONS (Xinhua)

-- The UN Security Council on
Monday adopted a resolution to
establish a mission to monitor
the ongoing peace process in
Colombia which aims to end
the 50-year conflict between
the government and the
Revolutionary Armed Forces
of Colombia (FARC) guerrillas.
According to the
resolution, the mission will be
a political mission of unarmed
international observers, and will
work along with the Colombian

government and FARC as a

trilateral mechanism to monitor
disarmament of the guerrilla
group and the ceasefire.
The 15-nation Council
looks forward to the
contributions of Member States
of the Community of Latin
American and Caribbean States
(CELAC) to the Mission, said
the resolution.
The mission will begin its
monitoring and verification
activities for a period of 12
months right after the signing

of the final peace agreement

between the two sides, it added.
The Council members
also requests UN SecretaryGeneral Ban Ki-moon to start
now preparations for setting
up the mission and to present
recommendations to the
Security Council regarding the
size and operational aspects of
the mission. The Colombian
government has held several
rounds of peace talks with
the FARC since November
2012. So far, the two sides have

reached consensus on land and

rural development, political
participation for former rebels,
combating drugs and narcotics
trafficking, and reparations for
victims of the conflict.
The remaining topic is the
final accord on the end of the
conflict, which both sides are
committed to reaching by Mar.
23. On Tuesday, the Colombian
government and the FARC
guerrillas agreed to request the
Security Council to establish
the mission.

Authorities search Southern

California areas for 3 escapees
SANTA ANA, Calif. (AP) -Unlike similar brazen escapes
where inmates fled remote
prisons into rural areas, the
three men who broke out of
a Southern California lockup
escaped in the middle of densely
populated Orange County
where hundreds of officers are
centreing the search.
The investigation
was focused on suburban
communities where the men
could be hiding among friends,
family or fellow gang members,
authorities said Monday, the
third full day of the manhunt.
They looked in particular
to Orange Countys huge
Vietnamese population, among
the largest in the US, in Garden
Grove and Westminster just a
few miles from the Santa Ana
jail where Fridays escape took
place.
Two of the inmates, Jonathan
Tieu, 20, Bac Duong, 43, have
deep ties to the community, and
sheriffs officials put out a call
in both English and Vietnamese
on Monday for help in finding
them.
Sheriffs Lt. Dave Sawyer
who is leading the investigation,
said the two may be embedded
there.
We sincerely need input
from the community to help us,
Sawyer said.
The two men and the third
inmate, 37-year-old Hossein
Nayeri, are believed to be
dangerous and all were awaiting
trial for separate violent felonies,
authorities said. They have now

each been charged with another

felony for the escape.
They were gone for as long
as 16 hours before their escape
was noticed in the common
dorm they share with more than
60 other inmates, with a Friday
evening head count delayed by
hours because of an attack on
a guard.
The three men sawed
through a quarter-inch-thick
grill on a dormitory wall and
got into plumbing tunnels before
sawing through half-inch-thick
steel bars as they made their way
behind walls to an unguarded
area of a roof atop a five-story
building. There, they moved
aside razor wire and rappelled to
the ground using the bed linen.
It was eerily similar to the
New York escape, where two
inmates cut through a portion
of wall hidden under a bunk
bed and used piping and tunnels
inside the facility to reach the
outside, though the search for
those inmates focused on nearby
woods instead of a dense urban
population.
A major question for
investigators will be how the
men were able to plan and
execute their flight with such
precision, said Kevin Tamez,
a managing partner for MPM
Group, a Philadelphia-based
firm that consults on prison
security, management and
infrastructure.
Lt. Jeff Hallock, Orange
County sheriffs spokesman,
said there is no evidence so far
that the trio had help from the

inside but authorities know its

a possibility.
Its likely someone slipped
them blueprints or told them
how the bowels of the jail were
laid out, he said.
If I were whoever s
investigating, there are some
people who would be on a
polygraph, I guarantee you,
Tamez said. They had to have
had some inside help.
Motion sensor cameras
available for US$55 and often
used as baby monitors can be
installed along interior tunnels
and pipes to catch inmates,
Tamez said.
Thorough searches of dorms
likely would have discovered the
tools used or damage to the vent
grill, he said.
It was the first escape in
nearly three decades from the
California facility built in 1968.
It holds 900 men and is located
in Santa Ana, about 30 miles
southeast of Los Angeles.
Hallock said the facilitys
general policy is to do walkthroughs every hour to check on
inmates. More involved searches
are done randomly, he said, but
declined to be more specific.
Its also unclear why the
inmates who were charged
with violent felonies were
housed in the common dorm with
dozens of others. Assignment
to a large, busy room likely
made it easier for them to avoid
detection, said Martin Horn, a
professor of corrections at John
Jay College of Criminal Justice
at City University of New York.

Vientiane Times

Business

Read more news at www.vientianetimes.org.la

Wednesday January 27, 2016

China to crack down on Internet

finance-related illegal activities

Dr Witada Anukoonwattaka (back) gestures during her presentation at a seminar on AEC regional
value chains in Vientiane yesterday.

Focus on boosting trade,

UN expert advises Laos
Times Reporters

aos should prioritise

trade facilitation
when it comes to
integratin g w i t h
Global Value Chains (GVCs)
because high export costs
will not be advantageous
for the country, a UN expert
has said.
A senior official from the
United Nations Economic and
Social Commission for Asia
and the Pacific (UNESCAP),
Dr Witada Anukoonwattaka,
said the operation process
in value chains in Laos is
cheaper in terms of labour
costs but export operations
are expensive and the cost of
services is also high.
That is the reason why
trade facilitation is an initial
priority for Laos at the early
stages ahead of entering
GVCs, she said, adding that
Laos is one of the countries
that is dependent on agrobusiness and also should pay
attention to the importance of
the rules of origin.
In her brief presentation at

a seminar on AEC Regional

Value Chains: Laos Gateway
into the Asean Single Market,
Dr Witada noted that Laos
could be strong in the trade
of organic products from the
agriculture sector but it still
needs to consider international
standards.
During the one-day
seminar, she explained the
concept of regional value
chains and their relevance and
characteristics in Asia as well
as talking about the impact of
the AEC on the development
of regional value chains in
Asean.
Laos rapid growth of
exports in 2014 stood at 17.1
percent compared to the rate
of growth in recent years; it
was about 11 percent from
2010-14.
However, Laos is still not
firmly participating in GVCs.
At present it can only be a raw
materials supplier because the
rate of goods against exports is
42 percent and is higher than
that of countries in Asia and
the Pacific at 18 percent.
In 2014, foreign direct

investment (FDI) was

recorded at 68.9 percent, up
by 26.8 percent compared
to the years 2010-14. This
is because of an increase in
foreign investors from China,
Thailand, Malaysia, and other
countries.
It is believed that one
of the biggest AEC-related
opportunities for Laos
consists of attracting more
foreign direct investment
and strengthening integration
into regional value chains,
especially in agro-business
and the manufacturing and
service sectors.
The potential of several
sectors would be a particular
attraction for international
investors, who may locate
part of their regional or global
value chains to Laos.
The seminar was hosted
by the Regional Economic
Integration of Laos into Asean
Trade and Entrepreneurship
Development Project of
the German Development
Cooperation, and the European
Chamber of Commerce and
Industry in Laos.

B E I J I N G ( C h i n a D a i l y,
ANN) -- Chinese authorities
will launch a campaign to
regulate Internet finance,
which isgrowing rapidly but
threatens social stability due
to illegal activity.
Departments of political
and legal work at all levels will
work with banking regulatory
authorities to establish a
monitoring and warning system
against financial risks and
enhanceinformation sharing
among different regions and
departments, according to
a statement released at the
central conference on political
and legal work held Friday to
Saturday in Beijing.
Internet finance refers to
loans, investments and other
financial services through
onlinechannels rather than
banks and other traditional
financial institutions.
Growing Internet finance
industry has helped reduce trade
costs and made investment
easier.But risks have surged
as some people have been
discovered to be raising
funds illegally.These crimes,
involving many people and a
large amount in assets, may
cause social risks.

An advertisement of Alibabas financial arm Ant Financial in

Hangzhou, capital of East ChinasZhejiang province.

Authorities will crack

down on illegal activities while
protecting the legitimate rights
of citizensand enterprises and
mitigating investor losses. They
will also educate the public on
risks,according to the statement.
Police are investigating
the Beijing-based E-Zubao, a
large online financing platform,
and associated companies for
suspected illegal activities,
authorities said.
China has seen increased
online fraud, particularly in
peer-to-peer lending, in the
past year, according to a report

published by online security

company Liewang, whose
name translatesto Web Hunt.
The company handled
24,886 reports of online fraud
in 2015, up 7.96 percent from
last year.The claims were
worth a total of 127 million
yuan (US$19 million). Per
capita claims were 5,106yuan,
about 1.5 times the number in
2014, it said.
Statistics show China has
about 2,595 P2P platforms
across the country, an increase
of1,020 compared with the
2014 figure.

IEA Executive Director sees downward

pressure on oil price in 2016
DAVOS, Switzerland (Xinhua)
-- We will continue to see
down pressure on oil prices
in 2016 because there is a
lot of oil in the market and
not so much demand, said
Executive Director of the
International Energy Agency
(IEA) FatihBirol in Davos,
Switzerland.
Demand is getting weaker
because economy of major
countries slows down, Fatih
told Xinhua in an interview.
We will see down pressure
on oil prices in 2016, but we
may see the price will start to
increase in late 2017, said
Fatih.
He predicted the oil price
may increase to US$80 per
barrel in the next four or five
years.
Low oil price is good news
for some countries which are
oil importer. But it is bad news

for oil exporters, especially

middle east countries and
Russia, he added.
The 46th World Economic
Forum (WEF) annual meeting
convened from January 20
to 23 in Davos-Klosters,
Switzerland, under the

theme Mastering the Fourth

Industrial Revolution.
Fatih said that far from
being a romantic dream,
renewables were central to
meeting the energy demands
that the Fourth Industrial
Revolution would bring about.

Exchange rates as of January 26, 2016

Banque pour le Commerce Exterieur Lao Public

Foreign Currencies

Buying

Selling

US Dollar 50-100

8,133

8,173

Thai Baht

226.71

228.4

Euro 50-500

8,812

8,856

10 Business

Vientiane Times

Wednesday January 27, 2016

Trade deficit shrinks to 2.8

tril. on low oil costs
TOKYO (Jiji Press) -- Japans
customs-cleared trade deficit
shrank to 2,832.2 billion in
2015 from the record high of
12.8 trillion in the previous
year, mainly thanks to cheaper
crude oil prices, a government
report showed on Monday.
Although its trade balance
stayed in the red for the fifth
consecutive year, the country
enjoyed the first decrease in
its deficit since 2011, when
its imports of fuel for thermal
power plants began to surge
following the nuclear accident
at Tokyo Electric Power Co.s
Fukushima No. 1 plant.
According to the
preliminary Finance Ministry
report, annual exports grew 3.5
percent to 75,631.6 billion,
gaining ground for the third
straight year chiefly owing to
brisk automobile exports to the
United States.
Imports fall 8.7 percent
Imports dropped 8.7
percent to 78,463.7 billion,
the first fall in six years, as
lower imports of crude oil,
liquefied natural gas and other
items reflecting price falls

helped offset the impact of

the yens depreciation against
other major currencies.
By trade partner, Japan
booked a surplus of 7,171.7
billion with the United States,
up 17.4 percent from the
previous year, with exports up
11.5 percent and imports up
6.8 percent.
In trade with mainland
China, however, Japan incurred
a record deficit of 6,191.1
billion. Exports slipped for
the first time in three years on
a slowdown in the Chinese
economy, while imports hit a
record high.
Japans deficit with the
European Union expanded 9.5
percent to 638.8 billion, the
fourth successive loss, with
exports growing 5.3 percent
and imports rising 5.6 percent
to a record high.
In December alone, Japan
logged a trade surplus of
140.2 billion, compared with
a deficit of 665.6 billion a year
before, the ministry also said.
The December result
outpaced the median forecast
of a surplus of 110 billion in

a Jiji Press poll of 21 research

institutes.
Monthly exports down
Monthly exports fell 8.0
percent to 6,337.6 billion,
down for the third consecutive
month. Imports dropped 18.0
percent to 6,197.3 billion.
In trade with the United
S t a t e s , J a p a n s s u r p l u s
expanded 2.7 percent to 758.3
billion. Exports were down
3.4 percent, and imports were
down 10.1 percent.
With mainland China,
Japan posted a deficit of 402.8
billion, compared with 446
billion in deficit a year before.
Exports fell 8.6 percent, and
imports were down 8.9 percent.
Despite the overall surplus
in December, We dont think
the trend in trade balance
has fully changed to the
black, Toru Suehiro, senior
market economist at Mizuho
Securities Co., said, referring
to the continued fall in monthly
exports.
A red-ink trend could
strengthen if crude oil prices
begin to pick up after the recent
sharp losses, Suehiro added.

In brief
LG Electronics posts 4Q loss as mobile business struggles

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) -- LG Electronics reported an unexpected loss in the final
quarter of 2015 as its smartphone business struggled.
South Koreas second-largest consumer electronics company said on Tuesday it had a net
loss of 140.4 billion won (US$116.4 million) for the October-December period, compared
with a net loss of 205.7 billion won a year earlier.
A survey of analysts by financial data provider FactSet forecast a net profit of 134 billion
won.Quarterly sales fell 5 percent to 14.6 trillion won. Operating income jumped 27
percent to 349 billion won.Net profit for the full year halved to 249.1 billion won.
LGs air conditioner and home appliance businesses accounted for the biggest chunk of
profit and its TVbusiness contributed about a third. LGs mobile business posted a second
straight quarterly loss.

French companies to invest US$10 bn in India: Minister

INDIA (The Statesman, ANN) -- French companies will be investing US$10 billion in
India over the next five years mainly in the countrys industrial space, Frances Finance
Minister Michel Sapin said here on Monday.
Over the past five years, French companies invested more than US$1 billion per year
in India. In my assessment, they will continue to invest at least US$10 billion over the
next five years, Sapin told a business meeting at the Federation of Indian Chambers of
Commerce and Industry.
The minister, who is in India accompanying President Francois Hollande on his official
visit with a large business delegation, also said the bulk of the investments would go
towards Indias industrial sector as part of Prime Minister NarendraModis Make in
India campaign.

Hyundai Motors profit hits 5-year low in 2015

SEOUL (Xinhua) -- Hyundai Motor, South Koreas top automaker, saw operating profit
fall to the lowest in five years in 2015, a regulatory filing showed on Tuesday.
Operating profit tumbled 15.8 percent from a year earlier to 6.36 trillion won (US$5.3
billion) in 2015, the lowest since 2010 when Hyundai recorded 5.92 trillion won in
operating profit.
Net profit declined 14.9 percent to 6.51 trillion won last year, but revenue increased 3
percent to a record high of 91.96 trillion won thanks to robust auto sales.Hyundais global
auto sales reached 4,963,023 units in 2015, the largest annual shipment in the companys
history.

Danish roofing manufacturer Icopal to be sold

COPENHAGEN (Xinhua) -- Danish roofing manufacturer Icopal will be sold to North

Americas largest roofing manufacturer GAF for approximately 1 billion euros, the
company said on Monday.
The deal means GAF and Icopal will now comprise the worlds largest roofing and
waterproofing company with 65 manufacturing facilities and 6,500 employees worldwide,
and an annual combined turnover of nearly US$4 billion across more than 80 countries.
GAFs long tradition of innovation, commitment to top quality and customer focus will
complement Icopals strengths and values. Our customers will benefit from enhanced
scale, greater breadth of products and services, improved product innovation and an
unparalleled global distribution network, said Icopal CEO Miguel Kohlmann in a press
statement.

Workers stand on a building under construction in Seoul, South Korea.

South Koreas 4Q growth

slows as construction
spending drops
SEOUL, South Korea (AP)
-- South Koreas economic
growth slowed in the final
quarter of 2015 as a drop
in construction investment
outweighed an improvement
in consumer spending, the
countrys central bank said on
Tuesday.
A s i a s f o u r t h - l a rg e s t
economy expanded 0.6 percent
in the fourth quarter from
the previous quarter, Bank
of Koreas preliminary data
showed. It was a slowdown
from the 1.3 percent growth in
the third quarter.
Construction investment
declined 6 percent, offsetting
1.5 percent growth in consumer
spending. Exports, which
declined in the previous
quarter, turned positive in the

latest quarter, thanks to higher

shipments of chemicals and
mobile devices, the bank said.
For the entire year, Asias
fourth-largest economy
expanded 2.6 percent, the
lowest level since 2.3 percent
growth in 2012.
Growth of exports stayed
nearly flat in 2015, offsetting
improvements in consumer
spending. Manufacturing,
which is reliant on foreign
demand, posted the slowest
growth in six years.
The latest figures showed
that governments stimulus
measures in early 2015 gave
only a temporary boost to the
economy. China, which is
South Koreas largest export
market, faced a slowdown and
key South Korean exporters,

such as shipbuilders and

steelmakers, struggled with
weak global demand and
heightened competition.
South Koreas central
bank cut its key policy rates
twice in 2015 to a record
low of 1.5 percent and the
government increased its
spending. Such measures
gave a boost to the housing
market and consumer
spending, which led to a
big gain in the third-quarter
growth.
In 2016, South Koreas
economy will likely improve,
expanding 3 percent, the
bank said earlier this month.
Consumer spending will
continue to fuel the economic
expansion as exports will likely
see a slow recovery.

British govt, Bill Gates announce

US$4.3 bln to fight malaria
LONDON (Xinhua) -- British
Chancellor George Osborne
and Microsoft founder Bill
Gates announced in Liverpool
3 billion pounds (US$4.27
billion) in funding over the
next five years for research and
efforts to eliminate Malaria.
The fund would be made up
of 500 million pounds a year
from Britains overseas aid
budget for the next five years,
as well as US$200 million this
year from the Bill & Melinda
Gates Foundation, of which
Bill Gates is the co-chair.
The Gates Foundation will
continue its support with a
similar amount over each of the
following four years.
Speaking at the world
famous Liverpool School of
Tropical Medicine (LSTM),
Osborne, Gates and government
International Development
Secretary, Justine Greening,
revealed a significant funding
package to ramp up efforts to
fight malaria.

They said the path to a

malaria free world will be
centered on a three billion
pounds commitment over
five years and a mission to
support the World Health
Organisations goal of reducing
malaria deaths by 90 percent
by 2030.
I am determined that our
overseas aid budget is spent on
the challenges people in Britain
want to see addressed -- and
those that threaten global and
national security, Chancellor
Osborne said.
Across the globe over
a billion people are infected
with malaria and its a cause
of both untold misery and lost
economic potential, he said.
Thats why, working with
Bill Gates, Im determined
that Britain leads the world in
the fight against this disease.
Gates said, Britain is
a global leader in the fight
against deadly diseases like
malaria -- a disease that still

claims the life of a child every

minute.
According to Secretary
Greening, Malaria still causes
one out of ten child deaths
in Africa and costs Africas
economy billions every year.
Director of LSTM,
Professor Janet Hemingway,
said that as the worlds oldest
Tropical Medical Institution
dedicated to improving health,
LSTM is delighted to see the
growing partnership between
British government and Bill
& Melinda Gates Foundation,
providing leadership and support
to the fight against the global
health challenges of malaria.
Mondays announcement
builds on the new 1 billion
pound Ross Fund announced
by the government and the
Gates Foundation in November
-- named after Sir Ronald Ross,
the British Nobel Laureate
recognised for his discovery
that mosquitoes transmit
malaria.

Vientiane Times

Wednesday January 27, 2016

EU gives Myanmar garment

sector a boost
YANGON (Myanmar Eleven,
ANN) -- Joining overseas trade
fairs and adjustments in work
processes are just the tip of
technical assistance provided
by European experts to
garment factories in Myanmar.
To all factories joining the
European Union-funded Smart
Myanmar, the scheme helps
raise manufacturing standards
while nurturing social and
environmental conditions.
Maple Trading Co, which
has more than 800 employees,
has gained significantly from
joining the project when it started
in 2013.
In the past, the sewing
department needed to recut fabric by hand. Smart
Myanmar team advised us to
make the cutting department
[operated by machines] strictly
follow the orders. The result
was unbelievable. There
is no longer re-cutting in the
sewing department. It saved
us approximately US$3,600
(Bt13,000) a year: 65.4 percent
on material costs and 34.6
percent on labour costs, said
Thet Su Zin Win, director of the
factory.
She said that the companys
operation has improved
s i g n i f i c a n t l y. T h r o u g h
workshops, the company
learnt more about occupational
health and safety standards,
human resource practices,
implementation of clear policies
and procedures, communication
with the workers, and raw

material savings.
Before joining it, a
European client cancelled his
order, saying our products did
not meet international standards.
Now the trend has changed. We
are receiving orders from Japan,
Germany, and the Netherlands,
she said.
Thanks to the project,
Myanmar Synergy Garment
Co also won orders from
the Netherlands, the United
Kingdom, France, and South
Korea.
I joined a study mission to
Europe. We visited relevant trade
fairs and gathered information
about the EU market. The
trip gave me insights on what
European clients want and how
we should produce quality
products, said Min GaungOo,
managing director.
In the past three years, the
project team paid 12 consultation
visits to his factory. In the team,
garment and social compliance
experts shared tips how to
improve the working conditions
and environment. Knowledge
on child protection policy,
energy, safety issues, and
human resources management
was also shared.
The executives of both
companies appeared last week
at the event to officially kick off
the second phase of the Smart
Myanmar project. Dozens
of local garment factories
joined the first phase, which
resulted in the creation of more
than 300,000 jobs for female

workers.
To run for four years,
the new phase will expand
and accelerate some of its
previous activities - such
as assistance to factories
on social compliance and
human resources management
- as well as introduce new
activities related to promoting
sustainable production and
transparency in procurement
practices. Both phases require
funding of 4.8 million euros.
The project is warmly
welcomed by Myanmar
Garment Manufacturers
Association, which lauds the
tips in increasing productivity
and saving the environment.
MyintSoe, chairman of
the association, noted that
enhancement in workforce
capacity is a must given that
Myanmar wants to increase
garment exports to Europe.
Garment exports to Europe
enjoy low tariffs under the
generalised system of
preferences.
MyintSoe noted that a great
benefit of the scheme is that it
reduces employer-employee
conflicts.
Smart Myanmar not only
works with employers but
also with the management,
supervisors and workers to
share best practices. Employers
came to know how to work
under labour laws and this
leads to zero strikes at all
factories (joining the scheme),
he added.

CARE international humanitarian organization fighting global poverty with a special focus on assisting women
and girls to lift their communities out of poverty. CARE International in Laos PDR (CARE Laos) works
with the poorest and most marginalized communities to address the root causes of poverty and vulnerability.
VACANCIES ANNOUNCEMENT
CARE Laos is looking to recruit qualified and motivated Lao national to fulfil the positions as following
1. Senior Facilitator to be based at Soukhouma District, Champasak province (LONG TERM CONTRACT)
From September 2014 to December 2016 CARE will be implementing the Social Protection Activity (SPA) as a sub-contract of the Australia
DFAT project initially in Soukhouma District (and latterly Mounlapamok District) in Champasak province. The SPA is a sub-component
of the DFAT Social Protection and Sustainable Livelihoods (SPSL) which will be implemented through the Maxwell Stamp PLC. SPA for
CARE includes a Resilient Livelihoods for the Poor (RLP) activity and innovation activities.
The positions is required to co-ordinate Facilitators and GoL District officials and support them to effectively carrying out their duties; Oversee
and report back on all project activities in the District and villages, including village meetings, Participant selection, enterprise training and
household visits and monitor receipt of transfers.
Reporting to: Operations Manager
Staff reporting to this post Facilitators; oversees work of external Technical Trainers.
Duties:
Supervise assigned Facilitators;
Undertake own assigned family case load; including regular house to house visits, in addition to supervisory activities.
Hold weekly team meetings with Facilitators to ensure implementation progress, cross-learning, feedback and improvements in
methodology;
Create schedules and ensure implementation of family mentoring visits and enterprise training;
Ensure that enterprise training sessions are high quality, relevant, and tailored to program participants;
Ensure Facilitators are effectively coaching RLP Participants on enterprises, creatively delivering financial literacy training,
developing financial and business plans with participants;
Selection Criteria
At least 3 years experience in a rural development project;
Background in social and livelihoods activities;
Good planning and coordination skills and administration skills;
Excellent communication and facilitation skills;
Financial literacy techniques;
Familiarity of local languages and culture as applicable;
Strong understanding of rural poverty in Laos; experience working with local communities and in villages
University graduate and/or degree holder
2. Community Development Officer to be based at Khua, Phongsaly Province (TEMPORARY CONTRACT- 4 MONTHS)

The Community Development Officer (CDO) has responsibility for planning and implementing various activities with a focus on food
and nutritional security including maternal and child health as well as hygiene and sanitation. Together with her/his assistant the CDO
will build the capacity of communities, and women in particular, to engage in local level decision-making processes affecting their
health and nutrition.
Duties:
Planning and implementing various project activities with a focus on food and nutritional security including maternal and child
health as well as hygiene and sanitation.
Implementing project activity plans with a focus on food and nutritional security including maternal and child health
Contribute to annual, monthly and weekly planning as well as to regular reflection and monitoring within the project team and as
program team
Provide monthly report of the activities progress to the project manager

Be able to facilitate action to provide gender equality, rural development, and health care training to the villager level
Coordinate with GoL counterparts, timely implement activities such as arranging and facilitating community meetings, supporting
for monitoring change at community level.
Participants and implement the project activity together to support and develop the nutrition and health activities including maternal,
child health, and gender equity.
Selection Criteria Degree in a related field preferred, e.g. agriculture, environment or public health Degree or Bachelors degree related to
health and public health is highly valued Willing to spend long periods in remote areas working with poor communities
Ability to speak and understand Khmou and/or Akha is highly valued.
Experience working with NGOs with related
Good communications skills
Demonstrate ability to work as part of a team in diverse professional backgrounds.
Application Submission
Qualified candidates should submit a CV and a letter of application that address the Qualifications and Experience required to lao.jobs@
careint.org or Maiyu.thao@careint.ord before the dateline: January 30th, 2016
CARE Laos is committed to working towards equitable relationships and opportunity for women and men. We seek to create and
maintain an organization environment that is free of harassment and exploitation of children. Members of ethnic groups of Lao PDR,
women and people living with disabilities, who meet the selection criteria are strongly encouraged to apply.
(Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an interview. CVs and other documents submitted to CARE will not be return)

Business 11

Asean Economic Community

Singapores manufacturing output fell 7.9 percent year-on-year in December.

Singapores manufacturing output

falls 5.2percent in 2015, first yearly
contraction since 2009
SINGAPORE (The Straits
Times, ANN) -- Singapores
manufacturing output fell
7.9 percent year-on-year in
December, the 11th month of
contraction and slightly worse
than analysts had expected.
For the full year, output
contracted by 5.2 percent, the
first annual contraction since
the financial crisis year of
2009, reversing the 2.6 percent
expansion seen in 2014.
Singapores manufacturing
output fell by 4.2 percent for
both 2009 and 2008.

Excluding the more

volatile biomedical segment,
output in December fell by
a sharper 13 percent, data
from Singapore Economic
Development Board (EDB)
showed on Tuesday.
On a seasonally
adjusted month-on-month
basis, December s output
was 2 percent higher than
Novembers. But excluding
biomedical production, output
fell 2.7 percent.
The important electronics
cluster continued to feel the

impact of weak global demand,

with output falling 12.4 percent
year-on-year in December. For
the whole of 2015, production
in this sector contracted 6.8
percent.
The marine & offshore
engineering segment, part
of the transport engineering
cluster, continued to be battered
by plunging oil prices. The
segments output tumbled 40.3
percent in December on a fall
in rigbuilding activity and
weaker demand for oilfield
&gasfield equipment.

Banks continue to up share of SME

loans to boost income
J A K A RTA ( T h e J a k a r t a
Post, ANN) -- Local banks
have continued to show an
increasing interest in boosting
their lending portfolio for
small and medium enterprises
(SMEs), seeking higher
revenue amid a weak domestic
economy.
For a couple of years banks
have been pushing up the share
of SME loans in their lending
portfolios because smallersized loans offer them higher
margins and local authorities
have increased their support for
SMEs through various policies
and funding programs.
The most recent attempts to
boost lending to SMEs by DBS
Indonesia and CIMB Niaga
both owned by foreign firms
are expected to improve
revenue after the lenders
profits felt pressure last year.
SteffanoRidwan, DBS
Indonesias institutional
banking group director for
SMEs, said the bank would
focus on developing SME
and corporate-banking
businesses this year due
to SMEs contributing 57.9
percent to Indonesias total
gross domestic product (GDP)
in 2014.
As part of its strategy,
DBS Indonesia, owned by

Singapores lending giant

DBS Group Holdings, recently
opened two SME banking
branches in Melawai and
Thamrin, Jakarta, offering
various banking products for
small-scale entrepreneurs.
The SME segment
contributed 23 percent to
total loan portfolios for DBS
Indonesia as of 2015, We are
optimistic that the two new
branches will help us to grow
revenue from SME banking
by 20 percent by the end of
this year, Steffano said in
Jakarta recently.
To lure SME customers,
Steffano said the bank had
started a consultancy program
called the working capital
advisory in September
2014 and had also launched
RekeningGiro 9, a new
current-account product that
offered extra benefits.
DBS Indonesia president
director Paulus Sutisna has
said previously that the bank
was expanding its consumer
and retail banking services as
well as SME portfolios, which
would be supported by a new
internet banking system.
The lender saw losses of
Rp 178.9 billion (US$12.9
million) as of September
2015, compared with net

profit of Rp 366 billion in the

same period in 2014.
Meanwhile, CIMB Niaga,
part of CIMB Malaysia,
recently launched its new core
banking system nationwide
called 1Platform that aims
to strengthen its IT platform
in a bid to boost digital
banking transactions to in turn
expand its SME and consumer
portfolios.
CIMB Niaga president
director TigorSiahaan said
the bank decided to shift its
focus toward consumer and
SME loans, which constituted
28 percent and 20 percent
of its total portfolios as of
September last year, as both
segments had potential, but
had been under-cultivated in
recent years.
As many as 92 percent
of consumer banking
transactions are conducted
electronically or outside
physical branches and we
believe that this will continue
to rise in the future, Tigor
said.
CIMB Niaga suffered a
profit decline of 88.5 percent
year-on-year in the third
quarter last year, due to sharp
increases in bad loans caused
by the plunge in commodity
prices and the slow economy.

12

Vientiane Times

Wednesday January 27, 2016

Lao Peoples Democratic Republic

Peace Independence Democracy Unity Prosperity
========== 000 ==========

1. The Lao Peoples Democratic Republic has received a loan from the Asian
Development Bank (ADB) toward the cost of the Greater Mekong Subregion
East-West Economic Corridor Agriculture Infrastructure Sector Project
(AISP), and it intends to apply part of the proceeds of Loan ADB-L3024LAO (SF) to payments under the procurement of VapyNeua Irrigation
Improvement and Access Road Rehabilitation.
2. The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Department of Irrigation now
invites sealed bids from eligible and qualified bidders for the Improvement
of the VapyNeua Irrigation and Rehabilitation of Access Road. The
construction work is to be completed within eighteen (18) months from the
date of notification of contract award.
3. National Competitive Bidding(NCB) will be conducted in accordance with
ADBs Single-Stage: One-Envelope procedure and the Decree of Government
Procurement of Goods, Works, Maintenance and Services date 9 January
2004 and Implementing Rules and Regulations, Ministry of Finance No. 0063/
MOF, 12 March 2004 as well as the amendment No.0861/MOF dated 05 May
2009. The NCB is open to all Bidders from eligible countries as described in
the Bidding Document.
4. Only eligible Bidders with the following key qualificationsshould participate in
this bidding:
The Bidders average annual construction turnover should be equal or more
than US$ 1.7 million, calculated as total certified payments received for
contracts in progress or completed, within the last 3 years (2012, 2013 and
2014).
The Bidder should have participated in at least two contracts that have been
successfully or substantially completed within the last 5 years (2010, 2011,
2012, 2013, and 2014) and that are similar to the proposed works, each with
at least equal to or more than US$ 1 million.
The Bidder should have a cash flow requirement of $284,000.
For more details please refer to the bidding document.
5. To obtain further information and inspect the bidding document, Bidders should
contact:
Mr. Saylom CHANSOUK, National Project Coordinator
National Project Management Office (NPMO)
Greater Mekong Subregion East-West Economic Corridor Agriculture
Infrastructure Sector Project
Department of Irrigation (DOI)
Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry
Second Floor NPMO Office Building Behind DOI Office, Chaoanou Rd.,
Chathaboury District
Vientiane Capital, Lao PDR
Tel./Fax:021261513
E-mail: saylomch@hotmail.com; with copy to: paul.souvannakhily@
gmail.com
From 8:30 to 11:00 and 13:30 to 16:00 hours, Monday through Friday from
11January 2016 to 9 February 2016.
6. To purchase the bidding documents in English, eligible Bidders should
write to the address above requesting the bidding documents for AISP2016/CW-NCB-001/NPMO: Improvement of VapyNeua Irrigation and
Rehabilitation of Access Road.
pay a non-refundable fee of USD 100(One Hundred US Dollars) by cash or
by cashiers check drawn on a Bank operating in Lao PDR.
The Bidding Documents will be collected in person or sent by courier when
requested by the Bidder, upon confirmation of payment of an additional USD
50 for courier fee. No liability will be accepted for lost or late delivery.
7. Deliver your bid
to the address above
on or before 10 February 2016 9:00 am
together with a Bid Security as described in the Bidding Document
Bids will be opened immediately after the deadline for bid submission in the
presence of Bidders representatives and the project's beneficiaries who choose
to attend.

Vientiane Times

Wednesday January 27, 2016

13

14

Wednesday January 27, 2016

Vientiane Times

Vientiane Times

Wednesday January 27, 2016

15

Travel

Dont leave home without them

THAILAND (The Nation,
ANN) -- Travel junkies now
can use their smartphones
as a personal assistant for a
smoother, funnier and even
cheaper trip. These useful apps
will keep you connected and
informed and they are just a
download away.
Google Translate
If youre travelling to a
country where you have no
knowledge of the language and
where you are unlikely to meet
too many people who speak
your lingo, make sure that you
have Google Translate at hand.
This translator is very
useful on a practical level as it
translates the day-to-day words
youll certainly come across
on your trip. Simply hold your
camera up to the text like a
sign and Google Translate will
translate it for you instantly.
This feature is available in 26
languages.
Check out Conversation
mode, which allows you to
just open the app, hold the
mobile device between two
people speaking a different
language, and listen to the
translated conversation.
Two-way automatic speech
translation is available in 40
languages. It is not a perfect

Airbnb smart phone application makes travel much affordable.

translation, but it is far better

than frantic hand gestures to
get the message across.
Tripit
Planning a trip means loads
of confirmation emails for
flights, hotels, rental transport,
tours and event bookings,
which inevitably get lost
in your inbox or deleted by
accident. Tripit is like your

personal travel agent and helps

you arrange your trip itinerary.
Simply forward your travel
confirmation emails to Tripit and
the app will automatically create
a detailed daily itinerary for your
trip. (If you use Gmail or Google
Apps, it happens automatically.)
You can access your itinerary any
time even offline.
You can also sync trip plans

with your Google Calendar or

Outlook so all your schedules are
in one place. The app also pulls
in maps to help with navigation.
You can share some or all of your
trip plans via email or the social
networks, making it a useful app
for coordinating a group trip.
Duolingo
This free and well-designed
language learning app will
help you learn the basic words
and phrases before your trip.
Duolingo has been downloaded
by more than 70 million people
around the world.
The app is fun as it is like
a computer game. You advance
by completing bite-sized
lessons, and track your progress
with shiny achievements. Now
you can learn Spanish, French,
German, Italian, Portuguese,
Dutch, Irish, Danish, Swedish,
Russian, Ukrainian, Esperanto,
Polish, Turkish and English at
your own pace before your trip.
Citymapper
Google Maps is fine but
Citymapper is a killer for those
travelling to big cities like
London, Paris, Rome, Brussels,
New York, Los Angeles, Sao
Paulo, Hong Kong, Singapore,
Tokyo and so on.
Citymapper is the ultimate
public transportation app. It

offers more a detailed journey

planner than Google as it
combines all available transit
modes to find the best route:
subway/metro, bus, train,
Uber, rail, ferry, bike share
and personal bike with cycle
lanes plus real-time directions,
departure times and disruptions
alerts.
It even tells the timeframe
from your location to your
destination, how many calories
you will burn if you walk or bike
and also the estimated fares for
all kind of transportation. With
Get Off notifications, youll
never miss a stop again.
The Meet Me Somewhere
feature makes it easy to spot
restaurants, coffee shops and
pubs and share the location
with your friends for a quick
meet up. Maps are also
available offline.
XE Exchange
Converting currency is
always a big headache especially
when you are on the go. XE
Exchange is very popular with
more than 20 million downloads
since launch. It has many
business-oriented features but for
travellers, the currency converter
is the most important feature.
It is a great tool for converting
money, giving users a better idea

how much cash, in their own

currency, they should expect
before they swipe their credit
cards. The app also functions
offline by saving the last updated
rates.
Airbnb
With the sheer diversity of
over 450,000 listings in more
than 34,000 cities, Airbnb is
far more interesting than any
hotel-booking site. Rental
options range from vacation
homes, castles, apartments, to
watchtowers. You can add them
to your Wish List and share with
your friends. The app provides
access to your itinerary, messages
to your host, and get directions to
your listing.
App in the Air
App in the Air is your
personal flying assistant with
the best coverage of airlines
and airports. It keeps you
up-to-date with your flight:
real time status, airport tips
and in-airport navigation
maps and a flight profile with
all your flights logged. Its
integration with Tripit allows
you to import all your flights.
This app also works offline so
your gate changes and flight
status updates are delivered
via SMS, which requires no
data roaming.

Year of festivals
SINGAPORE (The Straits
Times, ANN) -- This year,
Britain takes the cake
celebrating the births of several
famous writers and the death
of one illustrious playwright;
in the American West, an icon
of contemporary bohemia
approaches middle age; victory
and defeat are commemorated
on French battlefields; and the
struggle for independence is
cause for celebration in Central
America.
Children the world over
know Charlie and his chocolate
factory and the wild Mr Toad,
but to learn about their creators,
families will want to head to
Wales and northern England. In
the Lake District of Cumbria,
Beatrix Potters 150th birthday
will see a new book festival
sponsored by the National Trust
(March 4 to 6), and exclusive
tours of her Hill Top home,
exhibitions and a new musical,
to be presented by the World of
Beatrix Potter Attraction (June
27 to September 4).
The centennial of writer
Roald Dahls birth will turn his
hometown, Cardiff, in Wales,
into a City of the Unexpected,
a number of site-specific
performances produced by the
National Theatre Wales and
the Wales Millennium Centre
(September 16 to 17). It is to
serve as the centrepiece of a
month-long series of readings,
exhibitions and other events.
The 400th anniversary of
Shakespeares death will have
both Stratford-upon-Avon and
London teeming with devotees
all year long. Among the many
events taking place will be

performances and talks by the

Royal Shakespeare Company,
the London Philharmonic
Orchestra and a festival of
scholars at Kings College
(February 11 to 14).
On April 23 and 24, the
Globe Theatre turns to cinema
to celebrate the Bard, projecting
37 original 10- minute films one for each play - onto just as
many screens set up along the
banks of the Thames, between
the Westminster and Tower
bridges.
On February 21, France
will honour those lost at one
of the bloodiest battles of
World War I by unveiling a
newly renovated Memorial de
Verdun and a new museum,
which is to host several
exhibitions of never-beforeseen artefacts and photographs,
along with concerts, talks and
other programmes. President
Francois Hollande is to help
kick off commemorations at
a special ceremony there on
May 29.
Other centennial events
in France this year will
honour battles of the Great
War in Somme, Delville
Wood, Pozieres and FlersCourcelette. Tour companies
are offering excursions to
these regions led by military
historians, like that of the Great
Rail Journey, which is offering
a five-day tour of the Somme
battlefields on what remains
of the Western Fronts military
railway.
The United States National
Park Service turns 100 on
August 25 and while each of
its more than 400 sites will

Tourists at Shakespeares birthplace in Stratford-upon-Avon, England, a restored 16th-century half-timbered house.

be celebrating in its own way,

a nationwide initiative, the
American Solar Challenge,
will span nine parks, seven
states and 2,900km in eight
days, as a parade of solarpowered cars race from
Cuyahoga Valley National
Park in Brecksville, Ohio, to
Wind Cave National Park in
Hot Springs, South Dakota.
Other centennial programmes
and park-specific events can
be found at findyourpark.com.
How can it be that the
original gathering of free spirits
and spontaneous performance,

the desert home of ludicrous

experimentation and mad fun,
Burning Man (August 28 to
September 5), is turning 30?
Perhaps it has become a bit
more formulaic and organised
than in its youth, but some
middle-age practicality is
necessary for an event that
has grown from 35 people at
its inception on Baker Beach
in San Francisco to a town
of its own in the Black Rock
Desert in Nevada, drawing
65,000 temporary residents
each summer.
But not to worry, the

festivals 10 major principles,

particularly that of radical
self-expression, are still alive
and kicking.
Just 35 years ago, Belize
gained full independence from
Britain and since then, tourism
has soared. But do not expect
to find a Starbucks on what
was once known as Mother
Natures best-kept secret. The
Belize government and tourism
board have managed to keep
chain establishments away,
while drawing independent
luxury resorts (see Leonardo
DiCaprios eco-resort on

--Photo Istock

Blackadore Caye) and

restaurants.
Independence celebrations
include parades and street
festivals throughout September,
notably the Jouvert (September
17) in Belize City, an earlymorning street party that has
participants sporting paint,
mud and chocolate. Costumed
dancers and musicians follow
during what is to be an ampedup version of its annual
carnival. And on September 21,
the festivities culminate in a
nationwide party of barbecues,
concerts and ceremonies.

16

Vientiane Times

Wednesday January 27, 2016

Profile

Lao SEA Write awardee

proud of his title

Visith Teppalath

r Phonesavanh
Phanthavichith has
been recognised
as one of the most
promising young literary talents
in the region after becoming a
(South East Asia) SEA Write
awardee for 2015.
Mr Phonesavanh is an
active amateur writer who has
published many stories and
articles while performing his
day job with the Department
of Information, Culture and
Tourism in Oudomxay province.
Under his pen name P.
Phouphaneua he has won
many prizes and titles in writing
and poetry, and recently was
bestowed with the SEA Write
Award for a novel he wrote titled
Saynamthilaikap or Reverse
River.
He was the only Lao writer to
receive the award in 2015, with
the judges highly valuing his
novel Saynamthilaikap, which
describes love and life.
Previously, Mr Phonesavanh
has sent his stories and poems
to compete on this stage many
times and finally his works have
been recognised. He is very
happy to be the winner and proud
of the prize because it is not easy
to win such regional awards.

Mr Phonesavanh at the awards

ceremony in Bangkok, Thailand.

The SEA Write Award, or

Southeast Asian Writers Award,
has been presented annually
since 1979 to poets and writers
in Southeast Asia.
The awards are given to
writers from each of the 10
countries that comprise the
Association of Southeast Asian
Nations, though not all Asean
countries are represented every
year.
The award is sometimes
given for a specific work by an

author, or it could be awarded for

lifetime achievement. The types
of works that are honoured vary,
and have included poetry, short
stories, novels, plays, folklore,
and scholarly and religious
works.
Each country has to select
the best writers to compete for
the award and they are judged
according to set regulations.
In 2015, the awards
presentation ceremony was
hosted by Thailand, in Bangkok
on December 14, and 10
awardees from Asean countries
including Mr Phonesavanh
attended the event.
Mr Phonesavanh is the 18th
Lao SEA Write awardee after the
first awardee, Dr Thongkham
Onemanisone, won the prize
for best poem with his work
Namtamae in 1998, and
2014 awardee Mr Somsouk
Souksavath who won for best
short story with Anachakbinbon.
A press conference was held
in Vientiane on December 19
last year to congratulate Mr
Phonesavanh. It was organised by
the Lao WritersAssociation and
chaired by its Acting President,
Ms Phiulavanh Luangvanna.
Ms Phiulavanh congratulated
Mr Phonesavanh on his
achievements and representing
Lao writers to win the award.

Lao Peoples Democratic Republic

Ministry of Industry and Commerce
Second Trade Development Facility
Project ID No: P130512
REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

Senior Trade Analyst

The Second Trade Development Facility (TDF-2) is a multi-donor program financed by Australia, the European
Union, Germany, Ireland, USAID and the World Bank focusing on improving trade and private sector development
in Lao PDR. The development objective of the TDF-2, which is implemented by The National Implementation
Unit (NIU) within the Foreign Aid Division of the Ministry of Industry and Commerce (MoIC), is to support the
implementation of governments trade and integration priorities outlined in the 2012 Diagnostic Trade Integration
Study (DTIS) Roadmap, and in particular to contribute to improved competitiveness and diversification, focusing
outside the natural resource sectors.
The objective of this assignment is to support NIU in performing its coordinating role as core technical and
fiduciary unit for TDF II project. Particularly, this assignment will assist NIU in coordinating relevant implementing
departments/agencies responsible for managing project activities at the technical level, managing the work planning
process, and coordinating progress and financial reporting at the project level, and performing its secretariat functions
for both PEC and SWG. Main responsibilities are:

Support to Lao Business Forum (LBF);

Overall Coordination of TDF II project;
Operations of the Project Review Committee (PRC)/ Project Executive Committee (PEC) and Sector Working
Group (SWG);
Perform backup role for technical support to other components of the TDF II project as deemed necessary;
Any other tasks required to support effective functioning of the NIU.
The estimated inputs for this assignment is full time 12 months with possible to extend based on satisfactory
performance and available of fund. It is expected that inputs will be delivered in Vientiane, Lao PDR, working
alongside government officials. The expected commencement date for Services in Lao PDR is as soon as possible.
The full detailed ToR is available at the NIUs website: http://t4dlaos.org/index.php/en/work-with-us/vacancies
In order to be considered for the position, the candidates should meet the following qualifications and experience
requirements:

At least Graduate degree in development economics, trade, commerce, international development or similar;
Minimum 8 years of working experience in policy issues, and 5 years of working experience in trade and
investment environment reform;
Previous work experience with international development institutions and donor funded projects, although not
mandatory, would be an advantage;
Previous experience on activity / project coordination, especially within the government structure, is an asset.
Familiarity with government structure, trade and private sector development issues;
Capable of strategic thinking and have the ability to advocate and engage in policy discussions with senior
representatives of the government and private sector
Fluency in English and the Lao language (written and spoken);
Strong skills in report writing and conceptualizing technical presentations
Good computer using skills (Word, Excel, Outlook, E-mail, Internet etc.)

National Consultant will be selected in accordance with the Individual Consultants (IC) selection method set out in
the Consultant Guidelines, in line with the World Banks Guidelines Selection and Employment of Consultants,
January 2011.
The NIU now invites interested eligible consultant to provide information indicating that you are qualified to
perform the services (curriculum vitae with expressions of interest and references). Expressions of interest must be
delivered in a written form to the address below (in person, or by mail, or by fax, or by e-mail) by February
02, 2016, 16:00 oclock.
National Implementation Unit (NIU)
Ministry of Industry and Commerce
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: Amphaphone.t@laosaft.org
Attention: Mr. Phouvieng Phongsa, NIU Director
Note: only short list will be contacted.

The press conference to congratulate Mr Phonesavanh Phanthavichith, a Lao SEA writer awardee, in Vientiane.

She admired him as an

outstanding amatuer writer
who worked hard to producing
literary work when not busy with
his work in the department.
Ms Phiulavanh encouraged
him to continue to write and
produce more works in the
future.
Mr Phonesavanh was born
on December 25, 1958, in
Somsanouk village, Pha-oudom
district, Bokeo province.
He graduated from a
monks secondary school in
Luang Prabang province as
a novice, before completing
middle grade at the Institute of
Fine Arts, and finally graduated
with a bachelors degree in
administration and management.
He fell in love with writing at
the age of 15. Besides his main
job he writes various stories,
novels, TV series, stage plays,
poems and songs.
He has written more than
100 poems, and dozens of novels
and short stories. On top of that
he has also written more than
100 songs.
Before the SEA Write
award, he won many other
prizes, including the Mekong
River Literature Award for best
short story titled Khuamhak
Khuamphoukphan and the
SinxayAward for best novel for his
work Khuanmorkkangsayfon.
It was not easy for him to win
the SEA Write award because he
had to work hard on his writing,
concentrating on every sentence
and phrase to produce the best
story.
He now lives in Vanghai
village, Xay district, Oudomxay
province and works at the
provincial Information, Culture
and Tourism Department.
Mr Phonesavanh expressed
his appreciation and thanked
the Lao Writers Association for
organising the press conference
to congratulate him on his
achievement.
I am very happy and proud
of the award because it is a
meaningful and important title
with only one presented each
year. I have tried my best to write
this novel and I did not expect
to be the winner and it was a
tremendous surprise when my
story was selected.
I love writing and write all
kinds of stories, poems and songs.
I have tried to send my articles to
various competitions on many
occasions and I sometimes win.
However, I have never given up
in my attempts because I always
have a bigger target, so I do it
again and again, and I finally I
won this title which is bigger and
more important than my previous

The winning novel Saynamthilaikap or the Reverse River describing

love and life.

The SEA Write award.

titles, he said.
So I am very happy to be awarded and proud of my title because
it is my first time to win this prize. It is not easy to be selected and
win the award because this is a regional award and each country
has to choose the best writers to take part in the competition and the
judging has many steps in line with the regulations.
I would like to thank the organising committee for holding this
ceremony and thank the judges for realising the importance of my
novel, he added.

Vientiane Times

Wednesday January 27, 2016

17

Opinion

Streetwise

How can we deal with weather extremes?

Amid the extreme cold snap that has seen everyone piling on layers of clothing,
Vientiane Times asked a few people how they cope with the extremes of weather
that we experience in Laos.
cold for quite a while, but it
doesnt usually get this cold.
Up until now the winter has
been warmer than usual.
I dont like this weather
because its very unpleasant
on a motorbike, especially
when its raining and windy.
Ive seen on social media
that people and livestock in
northern areas are struggling
with the freezing cold as
temperatures in some places
have dropped to zero. I read
that every part of the country
will have cold weather, wind
and rain this week, but then
things will go back to normal
in the next few days. I think
most people and animals
hate this sudden change. We
should all protect our health,
keep warm and stay out of the
cold, especially the elderly
and children. And we should
help each other however we

Visith Teppalath

Mr Ning Vang, a resident

of Hadxaifong district:
Well, no ones enjoying the
sudden drop in temperature,

especially when its

accompanied by rain and
wind. We expect it to be mild
at this time of the year and
we know it can also get very

can, especially those people

who are really suffering in
northern areas.
Ms Phoutthalom
Thipphavong a resident
of Sengsavang village,
Xaysettha district: We
always get cold weather in
the winter months, but what
were experiencing now is
very unusual. I have heard

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Vientiane Times, Kamphaengmeuang Rd, Phonpapao Village,
Unit 32 Sisattanak District, Vientiane Lao PDR
PO Box 5723. Tel: 021 336042, Fax: 021 336041
Website: www.vientianetimes.org.la
Email: editor@vientianetimes.la

Ms Viengsavanh Bouttalath,
a resident of Xaythany
district: If we want to be
prepared for changes in the
weather, we should follow
the news and keep an eye on
weather forecasts. And the
meteorological department
should provide accurate
information that we can rely
on. Right now its not only
cold its also foggy and
raining occasionally which is
not good for driving. It makes
driving even more dangerous.
In places where its really
cold, people shouldnt go

Payment in advance

Please request rates for other destinations at

editor@vientianetimes.la. Make your payment to
Vientiane Times bank account at the BCEL (US$) A/c
010110100989471001 or (kip) A/c 010110000989471001

out if its not necessary. In

cold and cloudy weather
like this, we should try to
keep warm and take extra
care when driving a car or

riding a motorbike. In places

where its exceptionally cold,
schools should be closed
because its not good for
childrens health. I heard on
social media that in some
places buffaloes, cattle, pigs
and other animals have died
because its so cold. People
should take good care of
their livestock by keeping
them indoors if possible and
lighting a fire to keep them
warm.

its really cold, but there isnt

a strong wind like yesterday.
If it continues to be freezing
in the northern provinces
such as Phongsaly, Huaphan
and Xieng Khuang for a long
time, people who live in those
areas could suffer because
their crops and livestock
might be damaged, which
could mean they go short
of food. Everyone should
pitch in to help the poorest
people in the hardest hit areas
by donating clothes, food,
and other essential items. In
weather like this, we should
take good care of ourselves
by keeping warm, drinking
hot water and eating warm
food. If we dont do this,
we might become unwell
or catch a cold. The elderly
and children shouldnt do
activities outside. But lets
not forget that it will soon be
hot, so we should be prepared
for that too.

Ms Chindavone
Vonesombath, a student in
Donkoy village, Sisattanak
district: In Laos our
weather is very changeable.
Sometimes its very hot and
sometimes its cool. Today

Asia News Network (ANN)

Total + Online fee

156 issues (6 months)

Thailand, Vietnam,
Cambodia

that the freezing weather in

the north is causing people
real hardship and their
animals are suffering too.
People and animals can get
sick and even die in those
conditions. If it stays this
cold for much longer, it might
affect development efforts in
those areas. Or, even worse,
people might run out of
drinking water or not be able
to get electricity and food.
The government and local
authorities should prepare
to help people in rural areas.
Im sure many families need
warm clothes, blankets, hot
water kettles and so on, and
medicine as well. The public
should also help out with
providing assistance to people
in the coldest parts of the
country.

THE DAILY YOMIURI

THE YOMIURI SHIMBUN

THE STRAITS TIMES

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

language newspapers in Asia, supported by the Konrad Adenauer
Foundation of Germany through its regional representative bureau in
Singapore.
It was established in March, 1999, to provide avenues for cooperation
and optimise coverage of major news events in the region.
It also aims to promote journalism, share news stories, feature articles,
editorials and personality profiles. ANN is the worlds most active
newspaper alliance with a membership base of 18 newspapers in 16
countries.
The German News Agency of Deutsche Presse-Agentur, as one of the
leading international agencies and ANNs exclusive partner, distributes
news 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), The
Straits 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.

18 Opinion

Vientiane Times

Wednesday January 27, 2016

10th Party Congress Resolution What

What the
the Lao
Lao papers
papers say
say
From last issue

The Congress encourages the

economic sector and all of
society to become involved in
implementing the above plans
and projects.
III. The Congress adopted
the leadership assessment
report of the 9th Party Central
Committee, highly valuing
the intense effort with active
creativeness in developing
the Partys traditions and
lessons. These had guided
the implementation of the
9th resolution with several
important achievements, even
exceeding set targets in some
fields.
At the same time, the
Congress praised the Party
Central Committee for being
the leading committee with
cohesive unity, and being the
centre of unity within the whole
Party, State, armed forces and
entire Lao people.
The Party Central Committee
is also active in addressing the
degradation of political nature
and revolutionary morale,
alongside actions that are
harmful to the Partys statute,
with the Party leading cadres
at all levels.
The Congress called for the
10th Party Central Committee
to be more active in enhancing
its strong points, while
putting in place measures to
firmly address weak points
and shortcomings, to uphold

the leadership capacity and

leading role model of the Party
committees.
IV. The Congress heard a
report on the amendment of the
Partys statute and adopted the
10th amended statute, which
will serve as a guideline to
guarantee the implementation
of political lines.
The amended statute of the
Lao Peoples Revolutionary
Party was officially adopted
by the 10th Party Congress and
comes into effect immediately
after the Party Central
Committee announces the
official promulgation of the
statute.
V. The Congress elected
the 10th Party Central
Committee comprising
69 members and eight
alternative members, which
will be the core leadership
body in leading the whole
Party, State, armed forces and
Lao people throughout the
nation in implementing the
resolution of the 10th Party
Congress successfully, with
new achievements. This will
create concrete breakthrough
approaches to development
and advance the nation further
at a stronger pace.
The first Plenary Session
of the 10th Party Central
Committee took place on
January 22. It elected 11
members of the Political
Bureau, and Comrade
B o u n n h a n g Vo r a c h i t a s

Secretary General of the Party

Central Committee, while also
electing nine members of the
Secretariat of the Party Central
Committee.
The Congress elected
Comrade Phankham
Vi p h a v a n h a s S t a n d i n g
Member of the Secretariat, and
also elected the president and
vice president of the Inspection
Committee of the Party Central
Committee.
The Inspection Committee
comprises nine members,
with Comrade Dr Bounthong
Chitmany elected as president
of the committee.
Concerning the
appointment of advisors to the
10th Party Central Committee,
the Plenary Session entrusted
the Political Bureau to appoint
the advisors later on, and to
define their roles and duties.
VI. The Congress
congratulated and praised
cadres, Party members,
t h e m i l i t a r y, p o l i c e ,
manufacturing entrepreneurs
and service businesspeople
in all economic sectors and
Lao multiethnic people of
all social strata across the
nation. It also praised Lao
compatriots living abroad
who had contributed actively
to national safeguarding
and development tasks, as
well as the implementation
of the resolution of the 9th
Party Congress over the
past five years. This had

resulted in several important

achievements seen as creating
a basis and new conditions in
the effort to lead Laos closer to
achieving the set goals.
The Congress also
expressed sincere thanks
and gratitude to brotherly
and friendly countries and
international organisations
for their valuable support
and assistance in national
construction and development
of the Lao people over the past
five years.
The Congress called for
Party committees at all levels
and all Party members to
uphold their role model in all
areas, leading the masses in
realising this resolution.
The Congress also called
for officials, combatants,
Lao multiethnic people of all
social strata and Lao people
living abroad to uphold a
strong sense of patriotism and
endeavour in carrying out their
jobs, earning a living and
working to develop Laos as
a prosperous nation, where
people enjoy a wealthy and
happy life, and society enjoys
unity and concord, democracy,
justice and civilisation. This
would contribute honourably
to development and bring
prosperity to the Asean
Community as well as helping
to maintain peace, stability,
friendship and cooperation for
development in the region and
the world.

Thinking global
T he P hilippines
(Philippine Daily Inquirer,
ANN) -- The world is fast
becoming borderless, at least
economically speaking. Freetrade agreements between and
among nations are flourishing
because of the tremendous
economic benefits these bring
to the participating countries.
For Philippine companies,
being familiar with or aware of
what is happening outside their
business areas of operation is,
or should be, a must. This is
why it was disappointing to
note the Philippines barelythere participation in the Asian
Financial Forum (AFF) held
last week in Hong Kong.
This years edition of the
annual AFF was attended by
more than 2,600 government
officials, investors, academics,
and top managers of
multinational corporations
from 38 countries and regions,
as well as 500 journalists. Of
the participants listed, only
two were from the Philippines:
the CEO of a little-known
financial advisory company
called Miraizo Group Inc., and
a lawyer who teaches at the
University of the Philippines
and the Far Eastern University.
In contrast, there were several
participants from our neighbors
in Asean, particularly
Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia
and Indonesia.

The Philippines presence

last year was better, with two
leading Filipino executives in
the roster of speakers: Jollibee
founder Tony Tan Caktiong
and SM Group heiress Tessie
Sy. Finance Secretary Cesar
Purisima was in the program
as a speaker, but he cancelled
at the last minute. This year,
the lone Filipino speaker at
the AFF was Ayala Corp. chair
and CEO Jaime Augusto Zobel
de Ayala.
Organised by the Hong
Kong Special Administrative
Region (HKSAR) government
and the Hong Kong Trade
Development Council
(HKTDC), the two-day
forum featured more than
90 prominent speakers from
government, business and
finance worldwide. At the top
of the list was Ben Bernanke,
former chair of the US Federal
Reserve Board.
Aside from gathering
financial and business
opinion leaders to share their
views on economic issues
and prospects, the AFF
also provided a platform
for participants to explore
investment opportunities. The
HKTDC tapped the Hong
Kong Venture Capital and
Private Equity Association
to organise the AFF Deal
Flow Matchmaking Session,
and noted that more than 570

meetings were arranged for

some 370 investment project
owners, private equity firms,
companies, investors, highnet-worth individuals and
professionals.
The event also featured
the Global Investment Zone,
where participants explored
investment opportunities
and high-quality investment
projects through the
participation of investment
promotion agencies from 12
countries, including Aseans
Brunei, Indonesia, Thailand
and Laos. Last year, the Bataan
economic zone participated
in this segment of the AFF.
None of the various Philippine
ecozones joined this year.
What made AFF 2016 more
important was the focus on the
Belt and Road Initiative, a
multiyear, China-led initiative
that will see trillions of dollars
invested in infrastructure
projects all over Asia, Europe
and Africa. Other noted
speakers included Russias
Deputy Prime Minister Arkady
Dvorkovich; Luxembourgs
Minister of Finance Pierre
Gramegna; Swedens Minister
for Financial Markets and
Consumer Affairs and Deputy
Minister for Finance Per
Bolund; and Thailands Vice
Minister for Finance Kiatchai
Sophastienphong. They
joined HKSAR Secretary

for Financial Services and

the Treasury K. C. Chan in
discussing the challenges
and opportunities in Asia,
including the implications
arising from collaborative
initiatives such as the Belt and
Road Initiative and the Asian
Infrastructure Investment
Bank, of which the Philippines
is the newest member.
Ay a l a C o r p . s Z o b e l
de Ayala, who joined the
discussion on the economic
prospects of Asean and the
possible impact of Chinas
global economic initiatives
to the region, agreed that
investment is key to the
future of all nations and that
the Philippines needed to
do something to bring the
numbers up. He said regional
cooperation agreements would
help increase investment flows
and that the Ayala Group
was in favor of what was
happening on that regional
cooperation front.
Some countries do still
have restrictive investment
laws, and Zobel de Ayala said
the Philippines was one of
them. He expressed the belief
that the government should
open Philippine markets.
The same should be true for
Filipino businessmen. They
cannot forever think local as
their neighbors in the region
are already going global.

Motorbike theft
on the rise
Translated by Patithin Phetmeuangphuan

Losing a motorbike is a big problem in Lao society. Even

when the authorities arrest thieves and people take good
care of their motorbike, it can be still be stolen because
robbers always find a way to steal bikes.
Last week, a motorbike was stolen from a school in
Sisattanak district, Vientiane, by a man who was over 20
years old but was wearing a students uniform.
The authorities said these cases happen when schools
dont have good security systems or when there are so
many students its difficult to find out who is the robber.
Its important that people pay attention to security and
that vehicle documents are checked before motorbikes
are taken. Last year, authorities in Vientiane recovered
23 stolen cars and 237 motorbikes.
Socio-Economic Daily, January 26.

Public concerns over

modified tuk-tuks
Many people have asked whether modified tuk tuks with
no number plates, which are used to transport goods in
Vientiane, are allowed by the Ministry of Public Works
and Transport.
Of course its breaking the rules to have vehicles on the
road without a number plate and this problem has been
highlighted many times in public and on social media
but nothing has changed yet.
However, we would like to again publicly ask the
authorities if it is illegal to drive a vehicle without a
number plate, and if so we want to ask them to resolve
this problem.
Pasaxon-Van-Athit Daily, January 24

Fake products a
chronic problem
Copying a product can occur in any country and we have
found this to be a common problem in Laos.
People and companies spend a long time researching
to produce interesting products and they put their trust
in society thinking the item will sell well. But many
people are finding they are losing money because the
product is copied.
Singers from recording studios in Vientiane say they
always have a problem with copyright because there are
a lot of illegally copied DVDs in Laos.
Last year, we heard that some companies discovered that
copies of their products were on sale in local markets.
The most well known of these cases was the sale of fake
Tigerhead drinking water. This is the brand produced by
the Lao Brewery Company, who had to change the design
of their bottles to thwart the efforts of those making the
counterfeit bottled water.
Fake products cause a lot of problems for manufacturers
and consumers, because they are usually not of good
quality.
This is a common problem in Laos and its easy to export
fake products. Its very important that everyone should
keep an eye on this problem and be quick to contact
the authorities if they know of an outfit thats copying
products illegally.
Socio-Economic Daily, January, 21.

Attention Vientiane Times subscribers

We at Vientiane Times would like to inform our

subscribers that we now offer newspaper boxes
for use in homes and offices. The boxes, each
of which is equipped with a lock and key, help
protect your paper from inclement weather.
Those interested in obtaining a box should
contact the Vientiane Times office or call us at:
Tel: 336042; Fax: 336041

Vientiane Times

Wednesday January 27, 2016

19

Arts & Leisure

Ice Kingdom delights

Vientiane residents

Vientiane to host
performing arts festival
Sisouphan Amphonephong

P
Mr Luying Hui is happy with
visitors positive feedback.

Sisouphan Amphonephong

A Chinese investor is satisfied

with the good feedback he has
received after opening the Ice
Kingdom to the public at the
Vientiane Centre recently.
Managing Director of the
Ice Kingdom, Mr Luying Hui,
told Vientiane Times last week
his reason for creating the
wintry paradise was to give
people a new experience.
He said he had worked
and lived in Laos for eight
years, which made him fall
in love with Laos and the Lao
lifestyle. Mr Hui visited the
Ice Kingdom in his hometown
in China, which sparked his
idea to create a similar leisure
facility in Laos for people who
love cold weather. The icy
playground is in the Vientiane
Centre, which is where Mr
Hui used to meet up with his
friends.
The Ice Kingdom provides
people with a chance to frolic
in an icy playground and have
exciting experiences. The Ice
Kingdom is like a new travel
destination for people who may
never go abroad.
When going inside people
can see the playground and take
photos of the ice sculptures,

Visitors enjoy the ice playground.

The Eifel Tower in ice.

and there is also an ice slide.

Be sure to dress up warmly as
the temperature is set at -10
degrees Celsius.
Mr Luying Hui said that
after a few days last week,
the venue had attracted
almost 1,000 visitors, with
many people keen to spend a
relaxing and enjoyable hour in
Vientianes latest entertainment
centre.
The opening of the Ice

Kingdom marks the beginning

stage of bringing new
entertainment to Vientiane
residents.
The facility can
accommodate 100 people at
a time and people are only
limited by their tolerance of
the cold.
The venue is open every
day from 10am -9pm and
tickets are available at the
entrance. It costs 60,000kip
for adults and 35,000kip for
children.
Young people are excited
to visit the kingdom even
though there is already plenty
of cold weather in Vientiane. It
is hoped that visitors will tell
their friends and relatives to go
along and have fun too.
Children under 12 can
enter for 20-25 minutes to
enjoy the playground, and
student groups will get an extra
discount.
The staff soon will stick
up a warning message for
people suffering from heart
disease and diabetes. If people
with these conditions want
to go inside, they must be
accompanied. This will help
avoid any accidents caused by
the low temperature.

American artists show is glass act

CHINA (China Daily, ANN)
-- From candy bars to dancing
skirts and blooming flowers,
Toots Zynskys artworks
evoke all kinds of imagery
at Shanghais Liuli China
Museum.
The American glass artists
debut exhibition in China,
which opened on January 12,
showcases 20 sculptures at the
private museum in downtown
Shanghai.
The exhibition runs through
June 1.
If one looks back at the
Studio Glass Movement of the
1960s and the artists body of
work, one finds that Zynskys
work embodies the eloquence
of the campaign, says the
exhibitions curator, Chang Yi.
Chang is the co-founder of
the museum, together with wife
Loretta Yang, a movie actressturned-glass artist.
The museum, a private
establishment opened in 2006,
is dedicated to the promotion of
glass art from ancient Chinese
pieces to contemporary works
from all over the world.
Zynsky has developed
a hybrid glass-processing
technique named Filet-deverre.
Decades have passed but

she is still fascinated by the

method, which begins by
making very fine threads of
glass in diverse colours, and
then bringing them together
to create vessels of varied
shapes.
The seemingly casual
technique needs extreme
accuracy, says Yang.
A glass sculptor herself,
Yang finds it challenging to
use the fine threads of glass
and imbue them with different
colours while building varied
forms.
Unlike sculptors who
work with steel or glass
fiber, glass artists have to
process their creations from
beginning to end, without help
from a factory or experienced
craftsmen, says Yang.
To Zynsky, however, this
means opportunities to explore
the incredible versatility of
glass.
It can be melted, blown,
poured, carved when cold,
cut, ground, polished, crushed
and re-fused together, or
constructed, fabricated and
be used in architecture,
says the artist from Boston,
Massachusetts.
Zynsky says that when
she used to hear music she

would translate it to glass, and

music of different genres and
styles have formed her most
important source of inspiration.
Chang says the colours
and forms in her work embody
not only music, but dance and
poetry as well.
Chen Xiejun, a former
director of the Shanghai
Museum, says that the
exhibition offers unprecedented
visual, sensual and audio
experiences.
Glass is hard as a material,
and yet I see infinite tenderness
in the flow of threads and
textures in Zynskys art, says
Chen.
Zynsky was born in 1951,
and graduated from Rhode
Island School of Design in
1973.
She was one of a group
of pioneering artists studying
with Dale Chihuly, who made
studio glass a worldwide
phenomenon.
The glass art of Zynsky can
be found in the Metropolitan
Museum of Art in New York,
the Museum of Modern Art in
New York, the Victoria and
Albert Museum in London
and the Musee des Arts
Decoratifs in Paris, among
other celebrated institutions.

erformers from
Laos, Cambodia,
Myanmar, Vietnam,
Thailand, Japan and
the Republic of Korea gathered
for a press conference at the
French Institute yesterday
to promote the Vientiane
Performing Arts Festival 2016.
The performers from
each country have joined to
promote cultural exchange and
to create a network in the area
of performing arts.
Managing Director of the
Khao Niew Theatre Group,
Mr Lattanakone Insisiengmay,
said the second festival will
promote performing arts in
Laos and create the opportunity
for artists to show their talents
and skills.
The festival will take place
at the National Culture Hall
in Vientiane from January
29-31 from 5-9pm. Each day
the programmes will provide
free cultural performances
for the public.
Mr Lattanakone thanked
all sponsors for supporting the
festival, saying it was good to
encourage the performers to
meet together and enjoy the
festival in Laos.
The festival this year is
bigger than last year with
more artists from Asean
countries expected to
participate.
There will be puppet
shows, contemporary dance,
B-boy dance, soap bubble
fantasy, mask shows, comedy
mime, dancing, circus shows,
dance theatre, drama, and
singing.
Japan will bring a
programme of mask
performances, soap bubble
fantasy and comedy mime.
Laos will put on a Lammakien
dance performance, object
theatre from the Association
of People with Disabilities
in Laos, contemporary Lao
dance theatre by Mr Kabko,
B-boy dance from Fanglao,

Mr Lattanakone Insisiengmay (second right) speaks about the aims

of the festival.

Drama Sinxay by the

Association of Conserving
Arts and Culture, and the
marionette show Ipok from
the Cultural Centre for Youth
(Luang Prabang province).
The dance show
will be performed by the
Cultural Centre for Youth
in Vientiane, the shadow
theatre from Savannakhet
province, a drama show
from the National University
of Laos, and B-boy mixes
weaving bamboo textile by
Lao Bangfai.
The puppet show will be
performed by the national
puppet theatre, and there
will be a drama show, Lao
Fa. The Khao Niew Theatre
Group will present Deuan
Lorm Dao, Dong Kwaai, Ya
Youd Fun and Mai Lam Diew
on the final night of the festival.
Songs will be performed
by artists from the Indee
Group and there will be mixed
performances by Lao and
foreign artists.
Cambodia will provide
circus shows from Phare
Ponleu Selpak Circus, while
Thailand is to provide comedy
mime by Babymime and a
marionette show by Kae Dun
Dum.
Myanmar will put on a

mar io nette s how by the

Mynmar Marionette Theatre.
Vietnam will provide dance
theatre by Vietnam Youth
Theatre. The Republic of
Korea will provide a dance
show, Local Celebration.
Deputy Director of the
French Institute in Laos, Ms
Laurence Amigue, said she
appreciated the performers
from other countries who came
to perform at this festival.
Cambodian performer Mr
Khoun Chanreaksmey, who
is also Deputy Director of
the Performing Arts School,
and a Thai performer from
Babymime, said they were
happy to take part in the
festival.
Member of the Japanese
Comedy Mime troupe, Mr
Mansuke, said it was the
second time he had attended
the festival and he hoped
the public would enjoy the
programme of performing
arts.
The second Vientiane
Performing Arts Festival
2016 is supported by the
Asia Centre Foundation, the
Japanese Embassy to Laos, the
Swiss Agency for Development
and Cooperation, Mercure
Hotel, Lao Airlines and other
sponsors.

Performers from Laos, Japan, the Republic of Korea and Asean countries pose for a group photo after
the press conference.

20

Wednesday January 27, 2016

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: inthanin_school@yahoo.
com
Poverty Reduction Fund (PRF)
Request for Expression of Interest for
National Nutrition Officer
Country:
Lao Peoples Democratic Republic
Project:
Poverty Reduction Fund
Description: Recruitment of the position National Nutrition Officer
Grant No.:
H685-LA
Project No.:
P 123480
Review by the donors: Post review
Issue Date:
January 22, 2016
Closing Date: January 31, 2016
The Government of Laos, with support from the World Bank, Swiss Agency for Development and
Cooperation 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 and
Village levels. The project is now seeking for a qualified candidate to fulfil the position of National
Nutrition Officer:
Required Qualifications and Experience:
Master degree in Health and/or Nutrition, Social Sciences, Rural Development, Economics,
Development studies or other relevant field;
At least 5 years of experience in multi-sectoral project management (including project planning,
implementation and coordination, M&E, institutional strengthening, etc) in decentralized and
Community Development approaches is required;
At least 5 years of relevant technical working experience in community nutrition, such as villagebased nutrition management, home gardens, health and nutrition service delivery (including at-home
counseling), and/or mother and child health (MCH).
Experience in working with in particular training of ethnic groups in mountainous and remote
areas through bottom-up and participatory approaches reflective 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 Office (Word, Excel, Power Point, Email and Internet);
Familiarity with projects financed 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.prflaos.org or they can be
obtained at PRF Office).
All interested applicants should submit (1) a cover letter outlining clearly how the candidate meets the
required qualifications and experience of the position mentioned above, (2) a detailed CV with one
(3x4) photo and (3) supporting documents (certificate of the most recent employment, certificates of
qualification/graduation, a list of at least three referees from most recent work places, etc) to the HR
Officer, Poverty Reduction Fund, Governments Office 501 building, Sisavathtai Village, Chanthabouly
District, P.O Box 4625 Vientiane, Tel: 021 261479 - 80, Email: piengngeune@prflaos.org & khemphone@
prflaos.org.
Please note that all submitted documents will not be returned.
Deadline for applications: January 31, 2016
Only the first ranked candidate will be contacted for negotiation

APARTMENT FOR RENT

In the centre of Vientiane

Fully furnished 1 bedroom, Living
room, Kitchen, Housekeeping,
Laundry, Cable TV and Wi-Fi
Call: 020 55505840, 020 77495533
Email: lao.heritage@gmail.com

SERVICED APARTMENTS
Spacious & tastefully decorated
Fully furnished 1 & 2 bedroom
Air-conditioning, Cable TV, Swimming pool,
Garden, Housekeeping, Laundry
MP: 020 55505840, 020 55023782
Email: lao.heritage@gmail.com

HOTEL LAO
*Value *Comfort *Service
In the heart of Vientiane
Ideal for business or tourist
43/7 Hengboun Road,Vientiane
Tel: (856 21) 219280-1, Fax: (856 21) 219282
Email: hotellao.vientiane@gmail.com

Vientiane Times

Vientiane Times

Wednesday January 27, 2016

Naxay Apartment for

rent in Vientiane Capital
Location: Xaysettha District
Nearby: Community area
Bedrooms: 1, Bathrooms: 1,
Livingrooms: 1, Kitchens: 1
Special Features: fully furnished
apartments with large parking,
quiet area and located in the center
of town.
Mobile: +856 2022216222

VPS

Car rental service

We have many types of cars for rent new

model and old, sedan & 4 wheel such as:
MG.TOYOTA. NISSAN. KIA. HYUNDAI,

SMALL AND MIDDLE SEDAN FOR CITY

AGL assurances Allianz Group

Short term 1-7days & long 1-12 months
Self drive or with driver
Provide vehicle for Project & Private
Affordable price and best service
Office B. Thonkang, R. sokpalaung 15/279
For English call Mr. Chanh anytime
Tel: 020 55599900. 55593013,
office: 030 9800630
Email: vpscarrental@yahoo.com
www.vpscarrental.com

House for Rent

Villa for rent: 3 Bedroom,3bathroom, living
room and nice garden
Thadeau Road, Choumphet Village,
Sisattanak District.
Contract: 020 7782 1551 or 020 5959 9611
E-mail: tum_y.x@hotmail.com

Laoland Company is a long established and leading real estate

service agency based in Vientiane. With our experience in
serving customers of all nationalities, and our knowledge of the
local property market, we are confident that we will be able to
understand and meet your requirements. Property inspection
visits provided.
We speak English, French, Japanese and Chinese.
For further details, please feel free to contact us
At 020 5551 0155, 2366 6333, 2826 4781, 021 453 919
For Advertisement, Please call Ms Tou 021 453 919, 020 5654
5155
Email: Laoland.realestate@gmail.com
oad.laoland@gmail.com,
khone.laoland@gmail.com
Website: www.laoland.com

AB Apartment
Serviced Apartment Fully
furnished
Ban Sibounheuang,
Chanthaboury Dist.
Mob: +856-20-55512828
Phone: (+856-21) 222565 Fax:
263253
Email: abapart@gmail.com
www.abapartment.com

RentsBuy Co., Ltd is a leading professional real estate

company offering;house, land, apartment, office,
warehouse, business for rent /for sale and
property valuation throughout Lao PDR.
Dongpainar Rd., Ban Phontan, Saysetta
District,Sisattanak, Vientiane
Office mobile: 021 262319/20, 020 23333347,
77600059
www.RentsBuy.com email: rentsbuy@gmail.com

Classified 21

Vientiane Times
on CD-ROM
Issues of Vientiane Times from
1994 to January 2016 have
been recorded on CD-ROM.
Now available at Vientiane
Times office. Phonpapao
Village, Unit 32, Sisattanak
district,Vientiane.
P.O. Box: 5723, Tel: (856-21)
336042, 336048, 216364.
Fax: (856-21) 336041. Email:
editor@vientianetimes.la

22

Vientiane Times

Wednesday January 27, 2016

Whats On
Lao Food Festival
The Lao Womens Union and Lao
Businesswomens 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.

Vat Phou Champassak Festival

Champassak province will celebrate the 15th anniversary of Vat Phou

and its associated ancient settlements being listed as a UNESCO World
Heritage Site.
When: February 20, 21, 22
Where: Vat Phou, Champassak province

Lao-Thai concert
A concert this week as part of
the Lao Federation of Trade
Unions Fair will feature Thai
singer Maithai and Lao singer
Poukky Ngernlan.
Where: Lao-ITECC.
When: January 28, 7pm, free
entrance.

First International Half

Marathon in Vientiane
Social enterprise Events for Good (EFG) will host the first
international half marathon in Laos to mark International Womens
Day. EFG invites participants to join either the 21km, 10km, or 5km
runs. The event will start and finish at the That Luang stupa. Every
participant who crosses the finish line within the allotted time will
receive a medal and certificate. Trophies and cash prizes will be
provided to the top 5 male and top 5 female runners of the half
marathon and quarter marathon. A Health and Fitness Expo will also
be held before and during the event. Check Facebook event page for
further details.
When: Sunday, March 6, 2016; 5am 8am.
Health and Fitness Expo Time: Friday, March 4, 10am7pm and
Saturday, March 5; 10am7pm.
Media event organisers should contact Vanpheng Southichak or
Thouni Seneyakone about sponsorship opportunities. Ask about
customised sponsorship packages, including on-site display
opportunities, guidebook advertisements, and in-kind donations.
Vanpheng Southichak Managing Director +856 (0) 20 5588 8688
vanpheng@gmail.com
Thouni Seneyakone Operations Manager +856 (0) 20 - 9144 8858
seneyakone@gmail.com

Lao Fashion Week

Come 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

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
film 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 Pacific

Sikhottabong
Stupa Festival
Khammuan residents
will celebrate the annual
Sikhottabong Stupa Festival in
honour of the revered religious
structure, when locally-made
products will be on sale.
When: February 20-22
Where: Khammuan province

Vientiane Trail 2016

Come along and enjoy the Vientiane
Trail 2016, when the capitals old
quarter will be transformed into a
pedestrian zone with night time
illuminations, and art and handicraft
events.
Where: Chao Anou Street to
Francois Ngin Street.
When: February 26-28, open from
5-9pm each night.

Meditation course

Global citizenship programme

Japanese
organisation GiFT,
in collaboration with
Green Discovery
and FM 90.0 Mhz,
is inviting university
students aged 1824 to apply for the
Diversity Voyage in
Laos programme,
a 6 day event with
Japanese students.
Expenses will be
paid by the programme.
When: From February 20-25. Applications accepted until January 29
Where: Contact Bounheng (programme coordinator) on 020 55400099.
Or visit the following link:
http://www.laoyouth-radio.com/2016/01/diversity-voyage-2016.html

Free treatment
Interplast Australia and
New Zealand plastic
and reconstructive
surgical team will visit
Mahosot Hospital for
treatment of cleft lip
and palate burns.
When: Consultation
clinic February 8
Surgeries performed
February 9-18
Where: Mahosot
Hospital, Vientiane
Call for information 020 5560 9415 Dr Vanpheng Norasingh

Arts Festival
Vientiane Performing Arts Festival
When: January 29-31, 5pm-9pm
Where: National Culture Hall
Entry free.
For more information see
facebook.com/Khao Niew Lao

Charity Football Match

There will be a
Charity Football
Match between
the Lao Premier
Leagues
Allstars and Thai
champions Buriram
United
When: January 31,
6:30pm
Where: National
Stadium, Km 16. The match will be televised on TV Lao channel and
3SD Thai channel.

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: editor@vientianetimes.la

Sincere persons are invited to

attend a morality and meditation
training course.
When: January 25-31, with an
almsgiving ceremony on the last
day.
Where: Vat Pa Siritray Yalam,
Layao-tay village, Samakhixay
district, Attapeu province
For more information call: 030 4826 131, 020 5897 7769

Elephant Festival
This years Elephant
Festival will feature 67
elephants taking part
in activities including
a beauty contest,
bathing and baci
ceremony. There will
also be a large and
vibrant street fair.
When: February
19-21
Where: Xayaboury
district, Xayaboury
province

Trade Union
Trade Fair
There will be a special
trade fair to mark the 60th
anniversary of the Lao
Federation of Trade Union.
When: January 23
February 3
Where: Lao-ITECC

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.

Toyota Painting Contest

The Toyota Dream Car Art Contest 2016 is open to children, with the
theme Toyota in My Dream
The painting contest is divided into three age groups: Under 8; Ages
8-11; and Ages 12-15.
When: Submit your painting anytime from December 16 February
15, 2016
Where: For details, contact Toyota company offices nationwide
on: 021 453801-2, 041 260882-4, 071 214111, 031 251400 or any
Education and Sports Department.

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!

Vientiane Times

Wednesday January 27, 2016

PSGs total dominance

removes any drama from
French league

PSGs Zlatan Ibrahimovic (right) controls the ball during the League
One soccer match between Paris Saint Germain and Angers, at the
Parc des Prince stadium in Paris on Saturday.
--Photo AP

PARIS (AP) -- Fuelled by

funding from Qatar, Paris
Saint-Germains crushing
dominance this season has
removed all suspense from the
French league with 16 matches
remaining.
Unless you are a PSG
fan, the excitement factor
has evaporated. PSG already
leads closest rival Monaco by
a colossal 21 points and has
only setting domestic records
to worry about.
At the current rate, PSG
will finish on 104 points
smashing its own record by

15 while coach Laurent

Blancs side is on course to
score around 100 league goals
and concede the least ever in
a season.
A second straight domestic
treble is odds-on, with PSG
playing in the League Cup
semifinals on Tuesday, and if
PSG avoids defeat at SaintEtienne on Sunday it will equal
the longest unbeaten league run
of 32 games, set by Nantes 21
years ago.
PSGs Qatari owners,
Qatar Sports Investments, have
pumped hundreds of millions

of dollars into the club since

taking over in June 2011 in a
bid to join Europes elite.
The club is worth around
480 million in terms of
revenue, making it the fourth
richest behind Manchester
United, Barcelona and No.
1 Real Madrid, according to
Deloittes rankings.
Its all too easy, meaning
that Blancs side will ultimately
be judged on how well it does
in the Champions League
having lost in the quarterfinals
for the past three seasons
rather by how many points it
wins its fourth straight title by.
Therefore, it is
understandable that Blanc has
spent the past two weeks talking
about the importance of being
ready to face Chelsea in the
last 16 even though the
first leg is not until February
16.
But in doing so he may as
well grab a megaphone and
tell everyone how weak the
domestic competition is.
Saturdays 5-1 hammering
of Angers extended an
unbeaten league run dating
back to March 15, matched
a club record for 11 straight
wins and improved PSGs
whopping goal difference
to + 46. At the ripe age of
34, Zlatan Ibrahimovic is on
course for his best ever tally
he has 17 league goals
so far, despite missing five
games while winger Angel
di Maria has already beaten his
league scoring record as well
as setting up the most goals in
Ligue 1.
PSGs only defeat anywhere
was 1-0 away to Real Madrid
in the Champions League on
November 3.
In boxing terms, PSGs
dominance would be the
equivalent of a heavyweight
champion knocking out
petrified middleweights within
a minute of the opening round.

Sports 23

Golfers (from left to right) Jamie Donaldson of Wales, Y. E Yang of South Korea, Shingo Katayama
of Japan, Jordan Spieth of the United States, Darren Clarke of Northern Ireland and Ben An of South
Korea, pose with the winners trophy during a press conference ahead of the SMBC Singapore Open
golf tournament on Tuesday.
--Photo AP

Jordan Spieths international

tour continues in Singapore
SINGAPORE (AP) -- Jordan
Spieths worldwide golf
adventure continues this week
at the Singapore Open, where
he says the weather reminds
him a bit of his home state of
Texas.
Spieth arrived in Singapore
on Monday after an eight-hour
flight from Abu Dhabi, where
he finished tied for fifth, five
strokes behind winner Rickie
Fowler in the Abu Dhabi
Championship, and said he
was exhausted.
Spieth arrived in the Middle
East after an eight-shot victory
in Hawaii, which followed his
2015 season when he won two
majors and the FedEx Cup title,
and reached No. 1 in the world.

Over the past two months,

hes also played in South
Korea at the Presidents Cup,
China, in Sydney where he
unsuccessfully defended his
Australian Open title, and in
the Bahamas.
This was just a unique
off-season, Spieth said at a
media conference Tuesday.
Im extremely excited to
be here. I was very tired on
Sunday from a long week
there. By the time we start
Thursday, Ill be ready to
go with four full days of my
best stuff.
Spieth spent nearly a halfhour waiting for his luggage at
Changi Airport on his arrival,
but said he spent Monday

resting, just laying low trying

to catch up on sleep, strength
and hydration from the long
trips.
I dont mind the heat and
humidity, Im used to it from
Texas. Its a bit of a hit at this
time of year.
After the Singapore Open,
which will be played at the
Sentosa Golf Club, hell return
to the US to play at Pebble
Beach pro-am and the Northern
Trust Open in Los Angeles in
February.
I was unlucky in the
spacing of the tournaments,
Spieth said Tuesday. And
thats what kind of led to this
crazy four-month adventure
that weve had.

Warriors cruise past Spurs

to rule West

OAKLAND, California (AP) -- Golden

States Stephen Curry scored 37 points and
hit six 3-pointers in three quarters as the
reigning champion Warriors showed they
still rule the NBAs Western Conference by
beating nearest rival San Antonio 120-90
on Monday.
The Spurs were chasing a win that would
have left the conferences top teams only one
game apart, but were never in the contest
against a Warriors team that has now won
39 consecutive home games.
San Antonio is still a yawning 12-1/2
games clear atop the Southwest Division
ahead of Memphis, which won in overtime
against struggling Orlando.
Elsewhere, Miami rallied in the fourth
quarter to defeat Chicago, and Cleveland
took its first win under new coach Tyronn
Lue by beating Minnesota.
Golden States Curry had 15 points in
the opening quarter and shot 12 for 20 as he
recorded a personal best points total against
San Antonio.
Kawhi Leonard scored 16 for the sloppy
Spurs, who had won their previous 13
games. The teams that went into the contest
with a combined win-loss record of 78-10,
which was the highest combined winning
percentage of any NBA game at least 40
matches into a regular season.
Serena Williams of the United States plays a
Chicago came from eight points down in
forehand return to Maria Sharapova of Russia
during their quarterfinal match at the Australian the fourth quarter to win 89-84 at Chicago.
Dwyane Wade had 28 points, including
Open tennis championships in Melbourne,
Australia on Tuesday.
--Photo AP 10 in the fourth, and Chris Bosh added 18.
The pair combined for the last five points
guys who make you a better player, hes beaten of the game after the scores were tied with
me on the biggest courts around the world.
1:02 left.

Serena Williams beats Sharapova;

Federer advances to semis
MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) -- Serena
Williams attacked Maria Sharapovas strength
and it helped extend her complete domination
of their rivalry, earning the six-time Australian
Open champion a place in the semifinals.
Top-ranked Williams beat Sharapova 6-4,
6-1 in the quarterfinals on Tuesday, her 18th
consecutive victory and 19th in their 21 career
meetings back to 2004.
It was super intense, Williams said of the
replay of last years final. Shes an incredibly
intense, focused player who was No. 1 and has won
so many Grand Slams for a reason. You have to
come out with a lot of fire and intensity.
Up next for her is fourth-seeded Agnieszka
Radwanska, who beat No. 10 Carla Suarez
Navarro 6-1, 6-3 to reach a Grand Slam
semifinal for the fifth time.
Roger Federer reached his 12th Australian
Open semifinal, and his 39th at a Grand Slam
tournament, when he beat No. 6 Tomas Berdych
7-6 (4), 6-2, 6-4.
The four-time Australian champion used
a full array of shots, including some vintage
backhands, in his 48 winners, to avenge two
losses to Berdych at Wimbledon in 2010 and the
2012 US Open.
Tomas has caused me a lot of problems over
the years, said Federer, who improved to 16-6
against the Czech player. Hes one of those

Golden State Warriors Stephen Curry (30) scores

past San Antonio Spurs Danny Green (14) and
Tony Parker (9) during the first half of an NBA
basketball game on Monday.
--Photo AP

Pau Gasol had 19 points and 17 rebounds

to lead the Bulls, who were without Derrick
Rose for the second half due to back and
hamstring issues. Chicago has lost three
successive home games.
Memphis Jeff Green scored a seasonhigh 30 points to lead the Grizzlies to a 108102 overtime win against Orlando.

Wednesday
January 27, 2016
24

Vientiane Times

Sports

AFC Futsal lends support

to Lao game

Ali Targholizadeh (second right) presents an AFC flag to Mr Pasith

Souphab (second left) at Lao Football Federations office on
Tuesday.

Sangkhomsay
Bubphanouvong

he AFC (Asian Football

Confederation) Futsal
and Beach Soccer
Development Department has
said it will assist Lao futsal
to gain more international level
competition in the future.
Director of AFC
Futsal and Beach Soccer
Development Department, Mr
Ali Targholizadeh made the
commitment while on his
current tour of the games
local facilities in Vientiane
from January 26-28. He was
welcomed by Lao Football
F e d e r a t i o n ( L F F ) Vi c e
President Mr Pasith Souphab
and senior officials at its office
yesterday.
During the visit the LFF futsal
division and AFC delegation are

discussing further cooperation

and the development of futsal
locally in preparation for more
international competition.
LFF senior officials and Mr
Ali Targholizadeh toured the
National University of Laos
Olympasia Indoor Stadium
which will host the 1st Lao
University Games futsal event
from March 5-15 as well
as Beuangkha-nhong Indoor
Stadium.
Meanwhile, the LFF is
already making preparations
for junior level and national
league competitions in the
sport.
We plan to hold a futsal
league for secondary school
level students in Vientiane this
year and the local senior futsal
league champion will be able to
compete at AFC international
level in the future, Head of Lao

Futsal Organising Committee

Mr Viengsavanh Sengchanh
said.
The Lao futsal team has had
some experience competing at
Asean level including the AFF
(Asean Football Federation)
Futsal Championship 2015 in
Thailand from October 8-12
but failed to make it past the
first round.
The local committee staged
the futsal event for the 10th
National Games in Oudomxay
province December 2014 and
its already included for the
11th National Games in Xieng
Khuang province in 2017.
The committee also held a
friendly futsal tournament in
Vientiane from which it selected
the top players, trained by a
Thai coach for the Asean Futsal
Championships in Malaysia in
October 2014. Unfortunately,
the Lao futsal team could only
manage sixth place.
They also competed at
the 27th SEA Games held in
Myanmar late 2013 but came
away without any medals
and also placed sixth at the
AFF Championships held in
Thailand in 2012.
A joint FIFA/AFF/LFF
refresher course for referee
instructors/assessors was
also conducted in Vientiane
on January 11-15 with 32
participants from Asean
nations.

Athletes in action during a track and field event in Outhoumphone district on Monday.

Savannakhet holds student games

Sangkhomsay
Bubphanouvong

Students from 15 districts are

ready to compete in 28 track
and field events at the eighth
provincial student games
hosted by Outhoumphone
district, Savannakhet province,
from January 24-29.
There are 620 skilful
students (320 male and 300
female) at secondary school
level who are hoping to win
medals in the track and field
events.
Savannakhet provincial
Education and Sports
Department official, Mr Souphy
Kheubmavong, said it is not
easy to hold the track and field
events because the sport field is

not at standard level and there

is no area for fans to stand and
cheer.
Mr Souphy said however,
the host Outhoumphone district
is good and ready to provide
sports equipment to help in the
competition organising.
Each year, Savannakhet
province trains and develops
many students to be skilful
athletes, who are then able to
join the national team.
The 8th provincial student
games will comprise mens and
womens football, sepak takraw,
volleyball, petanque, crossbow,
and track and field events.
Savannakhet selects talented
athletes to represent the province
and compete in the National
Student Games, which will

be hosted by Borikhamxay
province in early 2017. The
provinces athletics team will
be ready to compete at the 11th
National Games to be hosted
by Xieng Khuang province at
the end of 2017.
In October 2015,
Savannakhet province hosted
the annual track and field
events at national level in its
province.
The 7th Student Games
were hosted by Songkhone
district, Savannakhet province,
in 2009.
At the 10th National Games
in Oudomxay province in
2014, Savannakhet provinces
athletics team finished in
eighth place with 14 gold, 33
silver and 44 bronze medals.