 tuesday june 12,

Vientiane Times
2012 ISSUE 134
The First National English Language Newspaper
www.vientianetimes.la 4500 kip

Inside
Businessman helps
to regenerate forest
cover
page 3
Cambodian FM
heads for US to boost
bilateral ties
page 6
National Day of Russia
page 24
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Laos, China ink cooperation deal
Times Reporters
Laos and China reached a
cooperation deal in Vientiane
on Sunday when both sides
signed 10 agreements to
enhance bilateral relations and
economic cooperation.
The agreements were
signed during an official visit to
Laos by Standing Committee
member of the Political
Bureau of the Communist
Party of China (CPC) Central
Committee, Mr He Guoqiang,
from June 10-12, according to
a press release from the Lao
People’s Revolutionary Party
(LPRP).
Mr He, who is also Head of
the CPC Central Commission
for Discipline Inspection, led
a high-level delegation of the
CPC to visit Laos in response
to an invitation from the
LPRP’s Central Committee.
Politburo member of the
LPRP and Head of the State-
Party Inspection Committee,
Dr Bounthong Chitmany, led
a high-level delegation of
the Party in talks with their
Lao Airlines gets ISO certification for ticketing, booking Large pay rise
Khonesavanh Latsaphao delighted we’ve got this ISO,” on the way for
Mr Rada said.
LaoAirlines yesterday received
International
Lao Airlines employs
Organisation professional staff and has
for Standardisation (ISO)
certification for ticket sales
and booking services.
Speaking at the certificate
presentation ceremony in
Vientiane on Monday, Head
of the airline’s ISO Project
Mr Rada Sunthorn said “This
event is not just a first for
the airline but is a historic
occasion.”
The ISO 9001:2008
certification is a management
standard quality system for
ticket sales and booking
services.
“Today is a very important
day for all of the staff at Lao
Airlines because they’re
Mr He Guoqiang (seated, centre left) and Mr Bounnhang Vorachit (seated centre right) witness the
signing of the agreements.
Chinese counterparts on the
same day.
Both sides hailed their
sound bilateral relations and
cooperation, deemed by the
leaders of both sides as ‘good
neighbours, good friends,
govt employees
modern aircraft, he added.
Lao Airlines received the
ISO 9001:2008 certificate
from the United Kingdom
Accreditation Service
(UKAS), after being inspected
by the Societe Generale de
Surveillance (SGS).
ISO 9001:2008 is the
management standard quality
system that is accepted for
organisations and private
businesses throughout
the world for production,
service, and human resource
development.
“This standard quality
system will help in creating
Continued page 2
good comrades and good
partners’.
Vientiane and Beijing
signed 10 agreements to deepen
their long-standing relations
and cooperation, which has
been raised to the level of
Mr Rada Sunthorn (centre) holds the ISO 9001:2008 certificate.
a comprehensive strategic
cooperative partnership.
Standing Member of
the LPRP’s Politburo,
Mr Bounnhang Vorachit,
witnessed the signing of the
agreements.
The agreements inked
included one on technical and
economic cooperation between
the two governments.
Two loan agreements were
signed in which the Chinese
government will provide
soft loans for the Nam Khan
3 hydropower project and
for road improvements in
Vientiane in preparation for
the 9th Asia-Europe Meeting
Summit in November.
Laos’ Ministry of Planning
and Investment and China’s
Sinohydro Corporation inked
a concession agreement for
Phase I of the operation of the
Nam Ou hydropower project.
Vientiane and Beijing also
signed a memorandum of
understanding on Xebanghieng
River hydropower projects 1
and 2.
A document in which the
Chinese side provides office
equipment worth more than
1.2 billion kip (one million
yuan) for use in the LPRP’s
office was also signed.
Both sides inked a
Continued page 3
Somsack Pongkhao
The Ministry of Finance
yesterday confirmed that it
has the capacity to finance the
government’s plan to increase
the salaries of government
employees from October this
year until 2015.
The pay hike aims to
enable employees to better
cope with rising living costs
and ensure their survival in a
time of economic uncertainty.
According to the recently
issued Prime Ministerial
Decree, the current salary
Continued page 2

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2 Tuesday June 12, 2012
Home news
Policymakers draft labour
management law
Souksakhone Vaenkeo
Lawmakers met yesterday
in Vientiane to draft a labour
management law in a bid to
better manage labour-related
issues, address labour disputes,
and protect the rights of both
workers and employers.
Deputy Minister of
Labour and Social Welfare
Laoly Faiphengyua yesterday
opened a two-day meeting in
Vientiane to highlight points
for discussion to formulate the
law.
The draft law seeks to
compile comprehensive
measures for labour
management, and will
supplement the Labour Law,
which does not contain
comprehensive measures to
regulate the issue.
“Although the Labour
Law has been amended many
times, it is too general,” Mr
Laoly told the meeting, saying
that a specific law is needed
for labour management.
He said the Labour Law
was not sufficiently detailed,
specific or comprehensive,
especially when defining
the supporting allowances
to be paid to workers when
an employment contract is
revoked or in the event of a
workplace-related fatality or
death due to other causes.
The Labour Law, the
deputy minister added, does not
Hospitals partner with health
insurance fund
Xayxana Leukai
The Community Health
Insurance Fund Management
Committee signed a Goals by 2015, as well as
Memorandum of Understanding
(MOU) with its partner hospitals
Setthathirath, Mittaphab and
Mahosot on the provision of
medical services for all members
of the fund.
The MOU was signed
last week by Deputy
Minister of Health Dr
Inlavanh Keobounphanh and
Deputy Vientiane Mayor
Mr Saithong Keoduangdy,
who is also President of the
Vientiane Community Health
Insurance Fund Management
Committee.
Dr Inlavanh said the
objective of the fund was to
ensure that all Lao people had
access to medical services.
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Mr Laoly Faiphengyua.
specify in what circumstances
workers should be given a
supporting allowance and
when they should not, how
much they should be paid, or
who will pay.
“What should the Social
Security Organisation and
the employers pay and how
much?” Mr Laoly asked,
saying that the Labour Law
does not specify this.
Representatives from
the relevant bodies attended
the meeting, including from
the Ministry of Labour and
Social Welfare, Lao National
Chamber of Commerce
and Industry, and the Lao
Federation of Trade Union.
Although rights protection
for both workers and employers,
as well as labour management
for both Lao workers and
“We want to encourage
more people to join the fund
so that we can reach the
Millennium Development
support the Resolution of
the 9th Party Congress,” she
said.
So far, only 10 percent
of people are members of
each private social security
organisation, state social security
organisation and community
health insurance fund. Dr
Inlavanh said it was the duty of
the sectors involved to increase
the number of members in these
organisations.
Mr Saythong said that
establishing such funds was a
reflection of the government’s
policy to provide health
services for people in rural
areas.
“Since this fund was set
foreigners working in Laos
has been improving, matters
regarding payment of supporting
allowance have in some cases
been dealt with inappropriately,
Mr Laoly noted.
In addition, measures
to protect and regulate
Lao workers employed in
households, foreign labourers
working in Laos and Lao
labourers working for
international organisations
based in Laos have not been
clearly defined, the deputy
minister said.
As a result, Mr Laoly said,
“Many of these workers have
not been covered by the rules
of regulations and principles.”
“They were sometimes
taken advantage of regarding
wages and social welfare.
Some people have been
injured and even died in work-
related accidents but were not
taken care of and got no social
welfare,” he said, suggesting
that the meeting discuss the
issue and seek measures to
address all such matters.
Director General of
the Ministry’s Labour
Management Department,
Mr Khamkhane Phisavanh,
told the Vientiane Times that
the final draft of the law is
expected to be submitted to
the government in the near
future before it goes before
the National Assembly at the
end of this year for approval.
up over five years ago, some them with lessons, rules, ideas on developing work
members have been satisfied
with the scheme but others
have not,” he said.
He noted that some people
wanted to join the scheme
but did not know what the understanding and agreement government and people
procedure was.
Mr Saithong also urged a
the participating hospitals school worth more than 3.3 extended to Laos.
to provide better services to billion kip (US$420,000)
existing members of the fund in Nongping village of the visit of the Chinese
to encourage more people to Chanthabouly
join.
During the ceremony,
representatives of Bounthong
Setthathirath, Mittaphab and the Party, government and and peoples. Dr Bounthong
Mahosot hospitals signed people of Laos in expressing reaffirmed that he would
an MOU on cooperation
with partnering district
hospitals. For example,
Setthathirath signed up to
partner with district hospitals
in Hadxaifong, Sisattanak and
Xaysettha.
Vientiane Times
Second Mekong bridge for Champassak
Times Reporters It is 718 metres long and 11 The provincial authorities
metres wide, forming part attach great importance to
The construction of a second of the province’s strategy to promoting tourism, with
bridge across the Mekong transform Khong district into a particular focus on the
River in Khong district of the jewel of the Mekong in infrastructure development
Champassak province is now southern Laos. necessary to entice the
20 percent complete, after Until the bridge is business sector to develop
the project commenced in completed, villagers and tourists more facilities for tourists.
November last year. crossing the Mekong further Tourist arrivals in
The project is being south of Pakxe have to do so via Champassak reached 400,000
funded through a loan from a river ferry which takes about in 2011, which was a 30 percent
the Chinese government worth 30 minutes to cross. increase on the previous year.
more than US$30 million in Si Phan Done is one Authorities are confident the
total, aiming to boost tourist of the most popular tourist figure will continue to grow
arrivals to the Si Phan Done destinations in Laos, for both at a similar rate, and it has
area, known internationally as regional and international done for the first six months
the “four thousand islands”. visitors alike. The growing of 2012.
The bridge, which is influx of tourists to the area The bridge linking Had
scheduled for completion in has generated many job village to Huay village is
2014, will connect Khong opportunities and provided the second bridge across
district to other parts of a significant boost to local the Mekong in Champassak
Champassak province, businesses. province, after the first was
facilitating the more efficient The most popular tourism built several years ago.
transport of goods and people sites in the area include The first bridge was built to
to the region. The reduction in Khonephapheng, which link Pakxe town to Phongthong
transport times is expected to is the biggest waterfall in district on the other side of
attract more investment to the Southeast Asia. The falls are the river, which borders with
island region. a haven for the endangered Thailand. This bridge serves
The bridge links Had Irrawaddy dolphin and the site as the main route of transport
village to Huay village on of the former French colonial for goods between Laos and
the opposite side of the river. railway. Thailand and also Vietnam.
Lao Airlines gets ISO... From page 1
strong management. This and knowledge. The project for the management standard
system will help our customers changed the old style of quality system for ticket selling
to feel satisfied and boost our management to an acceptable and booking services.
income,” Mr Rada said. standard of quality. After a final visit by SGS
The ISO and the International “We want our logo, services, inspectors on May 21 and 22,
Oversight Safety Audit (IOSA) quality, international standards the SGS agreed to present the
are top goals in Lao Airlines’ and customer satisfaction to be ISO 9001:2008.
development plan. further developed,” Mr Rada The SGS organised
Lao Airlines has been said. a certificate presentation
working towards ISO The project underwent ceremony for Lao Airlines on
certification for ticket sales and inspection and advising on six June 11.
booking since 2006. occasions. It was also checked Attending the event were
Lao Airlines had been by the SGS four times and Lao Minister of Public Works
working with SGS on the Airlines inspected itself two and Transport Mr Sommad
project up until June. The times, Mr Rada said. Pholsena, General Director
project provided training for After checking procedures
senior officials and technicians on each occasion, Lao Airlines
at Lao Airlines to provide and SGS consulted and shared
of Lao Airlines Dr Somphone
Duangdala, Director of the Civil
Aviation Department Mr Yakua
Lorpangkua, and SGS staff.
Laos, China ink... From page 1
memorandum of gratitude to the Party, continue to work with the
Chinese side to enrich
on cooperation to build of China for the valuable relations and cooperation.
Laos-China primary assistance and support For his part, Mr He
congratulated the progress
He said he highly valued made by the Lao people in
developing their country.
district, delegation, which further Both sides briefed their
Vientiane. enhances the relations and counterparts on the socio-
During the talks, Dr cooperation between the economic development
represented two parties, governments situation in their respective
countries and discussed
regional and international
Lao Press in Foreign Languages
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Vientiane Times
Power outage affects city centre
Times Reporters
Electricity was cut off
in parts of Vientiane city
centre yesterday, affecting
residents, businesses and
government offices operating
in the area.
The shutdown had
significant negative impacts
on businesses, companies and
newspaper offices in the Nam
Phou area.
Some businesses had to
suspend work from about
10am until 7:30pm during the
power cut, bringing a halt to
commercial and administrative
activities in the area.
Officials have not yet
been able to estimate the cost
of the power outage in the
heart of the business centre,
but many people expressed
disappointment over the
efforts of electricians to
restore the power supply.
Government offices and
businesses located in the area
tried to report the fault using
Electricite du Laos’ 199 fixed-
Large pay rise on the way...
stands at 3,500 kip per
index based on different levels
according to qualifications,
experience and position.
Currently, officials’
salaries range from 500,000
kip to 1.5 million kip per
month depending on their
index total.
The government will raise
officials’ salary from 3,500 to
4,800 kip per index in 2012-
13, or 37 percent, to 6,700
kip per index in 2013-14 (91
percent), and to 9,300 kip
per index (a 156.7 percent
increase compared to the
current level).
The decree stated that the
government will also grant an
allowance of 760,000 kip per
person per month to cover the
cost of electricity, water, and
clothing.
Prime Minister Thongsing
Thammavong has urged all
relevant sectors to beef up
financial measures to ensure
there is sufficient national
revenue to finance the pay
increase.
Finance Minister Phouphet
Khamphounvong told
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line telephone number, but
connection proved impossible,
causing frustration among
those who were left in the
dark.
“I hope there isn’t a
further power outage of this
nature. We will lose face if
there’s a power cut during
the Asia-Europe Meeting
Summit in November,” said
an employee in the Nam
Phou area.
Vientiane Times, the
national English language
newspaper, had to undertake
an emergency relocation to
the Lao State Printing House
yesterday evening in order
to ensure that it was able
to publish today’s edition.
Coffee and fruit shake
vendors in Nam Phou were
also inconvenienced, as they
had no power to run their
appliances.
Officials at Electricite
du Laos’ Vientiane branch
said the power outage was
due to the breakdown of a
transformer in the area.
Vientiane Times yesterday that
revenue collection in Laos
was increasing every year and
he thought the ministry could
provide a large enough budget
to cover the wage hike.
“Our government has seen
the need to improve the living
conditions of our officials,
to enable them to work
fully to serve the nation’s
development,” he said.
Mr Phouphet said
the Finance Ministry is
committed to working harder
to obtain new income sources
to ensure the national budget
is sufficient to maintain the
salary increase.
In 2007, the year before
the global financial crisis hit,
the government increased
salaries for state employees
by 20 percent.
Last year, the government
increased salaries once more,
from 3,000 kip to 3,500 kip
per index, or 16 percent.
The salary increase not
only aims to improve the
living standards of state
officials, but also to maintain
public purchasing power.
Tuesday June 12, 2012 Home news 3
Technicians tried their
best to resume the power
supply, but repairing the
broken transformer proved
impossible due to buildings
which restricted access to the
site.
Vientiane residents have
been complaining for some
time about frequent power
outages in the capital. Over
the last few days, many
areas of Vientiane have
experienced power cuts
of several hours or more,
leading to questions about
whether Laos will be able
to fulfil its aim of becoming
the ‘battery of Asean’.
Electricite du Laos has
received government approval
to increase electricity prices
by 3 percent per month from
March until the end of this
year. Mr Khamphay Somsana, Mr Vilayvanh Phomkhe and other officials plant trees in Nayang village in
It also plans to further Vientiane’s Naxaithong district on Saturday.
increase rates by two percent
per year from next year
until 2017, in order to make
investment in the electricity
Businessman helps to
sector more attractive.
regenerate forest cover
From page 1
Times Reporters awarded a Grade I Labour severely degraded in recent
Medal by the government on decades due to various
State employees are very
A Lao businessman is planting Saturday after his family was reasons, including slash and
happy with the government’s
trees in a watershed area of named a model in Naxaithong burn cultivation and illegal
plan to increase salaries but have
Vientiane’s Naxaithong district district and a good developer logging triggered by the
concerns about the management
to sustain water sources for for fostering growth in the growing demand for wood.
of product prices because
rivers and restore greenery to area. Mr Khamphay said his
market vendors sometimes take
the countryside. He began planting trees association was shifting its
advantage of higher salaries to
Mr Khamphay Somsana in this area in 2000 after focus from relying on wood
raise their prices.
has planted 3 million trees observing that the country’s sourced from natural forests to
Another concern is that
on 2,000 hectares in Nayang forests, including protected planting trees to sustain their
while prices often go up, they
village as part of efforts to areas, were being encroached business, to prevent the further
never go down.
help the government restore upon for commercial decline of natural forests.
The Lao economy
forest cover to 70 percent of purposes. Half a century ago, forest
continues to grow at 8
the total land area by 2020. Since the project started, cover in Laos was 70 percent
percent annually. Revenue
“The trees I planted here it has helped generate jobs for but had declined to 41 percent
collection is on the rise, and
are not for logging. I’m local people who come to work by 2002. The current extent
the government considers it
planting them for tourism in the area. Mr Khamphay also of forest cover is unclear
important to raise state salaries
and research purposes,” breeds thousands of buffaloes because the relevant sectors
to counter inflation.
said Mr Khamphay, who is and cattle in this area. are carrying out a survey to
According to the Bank
President of the Lao Furniture Lao forests have been determine the forested area.
of the Lao PDR, the average
Association.
inflation rate in Laos in
2011 was 7.58 percent.
Mr Khamphay held a
ceremony on Saturday to plant
3 Day Weather Forecast
Higher monthly averages
trees on five hectares, with the Xieng Khuang
were recorded however, and Temperature in (C)
event attended by Minister of Date Weather
inflation stood at 9.24 percent Min Max
Agriculture and Forestry Mr
in April, 9.76 percent in May, 11/06/2012 21 28 Mostly cloudy
Vilayvanh Phomkhe and other
and 9.52 percent in June.
government officials. 12/06/2012 21 29 Light rain
This year, the inflation
The 2,000 hectare site 13/06/2012 21 29 Light rain
rate has fallen but remained
is a catchment area for the
relatively high at 6.69 percent Luang Namtha
Huayxone-Huaysua stream Temperature in (C)
in January, 6.11 percent in Date Weather
where thousands of villagers Min Max
February, and 5.33 percent in
rely on the water source for 11/06/2012 22 32 Mostly cloudy
March.
agriculture. 12/06/2012 22 33 Light rain
“The main benefit I will 13/06/2012 22 33 Light rain
gain from planting these
Luang Prabang
trees is happiness that I am Temperature in (C)
contributing greenery to the Date
Min Max
Weather
environment. I also plan 11/06/2012 24 33 Mostly cloudy
to develop this area into a
12/06/2012 24 34 Partly cloudy
complex tourism site in the
near future while protecting 13/06/2012 24 35 Light rain
the environment.” Vientiane Capital
“I will build a resort and Date
Temperature in (C)
Weather
other tourism related facilities Min Max
so that the country’s guests 11/06/2012 27 34 Mostly cloudy
can come to experience the
environment and our services.”
12/06/2012 27 34 Light rain
13/06/2012 27 34 Isolated showers
This catchment area
Savannakhet
was previously a degraded Temperature in (C)
forest due to encroachment Date Weather
by people who were doing 11/06/2012
Min
25
Max
30 Partly cloudy
illegal logging for commercial
purposes. 12/06/2012 25 31 Partly cloudy
Mr Khamphay thought it 13/06/2012 25 32 Isolated showers
would be good to plant trees and Pakxe
restore the environment in this Temperature in (C)
Date Weather
area not only for his business but Min Max
also to help villagers continue 11/06/2012 25 30 Partly cloudy
with their farming.
Mr Khamphay is a leading
12/06/2012 25 31 Partly cloudy
businessman in Laos. He was 13/06/2012 25 32 Isolated showers
4 Home news Tuesday June 12, 2012 Vientiane Times

News in Brief
Khammuan raises bar for tourism
Khammuan provincial Tourism Department will continue to develop basic
infrastructure for visitors during Visit Laos Year 2012.
Department staff said the improvements were in line with the master plan to boost
socio-economic growth.
Plans include improving roads, increasing information services, securing electricity
supply, and ensuring clean water for visitors.
Clinics, hotels, resorts, restaurants and new care service centres are also planned. The
department plans to expand into the ecotourism market by promoting the province’s
many areas of natural beauty.
Developments will include the preservation of caves and other tourist sites, to attract
even more visitors to the province.
Improving security and promoting the traditional culture of all communities is also
part of the plan. Each year tourist numbers rise, generating millions of kip for the local
economy.

Farmers ready to plant wet season crops

Farmers in Vientiane province are preparing to plant their wet season crops.
Agriculture and forestry section staff said farmers around the province are
Dr Sing Menorath (second right) and Dr Erlyn Sana (second left) address the workshop.
expected to produce over 230,000 tonnes of rice from more than 50,000 hectares

UHS runs workshop on

this year.
Last wet season, many farmers were affected by weather extremes and insect
plagues, leading to the loss of several tonnes of crops.

educational development
Times Reporters
Lecturers and students are
hopeful that teaching standards
at Vientiane’s University of
Health Sciences will improve
after a four-day workshop on
organisational management.
The workshop began
yesterday, aimed at upgrading
the quality of teaching and
studying at the university.
Speaking at the opening
ceremony of the Seminar-
Workshop on Organisational
Management and Educational
Leadership, university Vice
President Associate Prof.
Dr Sing Menorath said that
qualified health staff were
important for teaching,
studying and educational
development.
“This workshop will
help to improve the quality
of teaching and learning at
the university, which will
directly benefit both students
and lecturers,” said Dr Sing.
He said such improvements
would also help to raise the
overall standard of education
in Laos to match regional and
international levels.
Dr Sing said the workshop
was part of efforts to improve the
curriculum at the university. This
would also support the Ministry
of Health’s goals for human
resource development by 2015
and 2020 respectively. During
the workshop, participants are
learning about organisational
management skills from the
Dean of the National Teacher
Training Centre for Health
Professions of the University of
the Philippines, Dr Erlyn Sana.
The World Health
Organisation is supporting the
workshop.
Farmers are also growing cash crops such as sweetcorn, peanuts, soybeans and various
vegetables.
Luang Prabang tackles poverty issues
Phonxay district authorities in Luang Prabang province recently gathered to
discuss ways to tackle poverty in various target groups. The meeting agreed it
was important to strengthen the fields of education, health, transportation and
agriculture.
Participants heard about past work that focused primarily on small infrastructure
development and boosting capacity in the district, which has 32,805 residents in
5,244 families living in 60 villages.
Phonxay is one of the 45 poorest districts in the country. However, the provincial
authority is expected to declare this district poverty free poverty by 2015 as part of its
strategic plan.
The meeting was attended by district governor Mr Khamla Lianpadith, provincial and
district authority officials, and other guests.
Vientiane Times Tuesday June 12, 2012 Photo news 5

Deputy Secretary of the

Lao People’s Revolutionary
Youth Union, Dr Khampha
Phimmasone (right),
yesterday presents a
certificate of appreciation to
Thai Ambassador to Laos
Mr Vitavas Srivihok (left)
after he donated money
to support International
Children’s Day. Every
year the Thai Ambassador
provides financial support
and technical assistance to
the Union for promoting the
power and influence of the
younger generation.

Governor of Vientiane’s Naxaithong district Mr Bounthong Phomphachan presents a Grade I Labour

Medal to leading businessman Mr Khamphay Somsana on Saturday in recognition of his contributions
to the district’s development and job creation.

Management and staff of Vientiane Times relocate to the Lao State Printing House after a power A large hole in a road in Nonghai village is filled with rainwater, hampering road users and
outage in the Nam Phou area yesterday closed down operations at the newspaper offices. people who pass through the area. Local authorities have been asked to make repairs.
6 Tuesday June 12, 2012 Vientiane Times

Region
Philippine president unfazed In brief from Asia
News Network
by drop in approval rating China publicises
MANILA (Xinhua) -- net satisfaction rating of the human rights
Cambodia’s
Philippine president Benigno President continues to be the action plan
S. Aquino III will continue highest since June 1999,” said BEIJING (China Daily)
Deputy Prime to focus on implementing the Lacierda in a press briefing.
Minister -- The Chinese government
and Foreign necessary reforms to ensure The second quarter survey on Monday publicised its
Minister Hor “inclusive growth” even as of the research firm SWS second national plan for
Namhong his public approval rating showed that Aquino’s net human rights protection,
speaks to continues to decline, a senior satisfaction rating in May promising to address
the press at government official said on dropped seven points to + 42,
the airport in challenges and work for the
Monday. from +49 registered in March. happiness and dignity of
Phnom Penh.
--Photo Xinhua Presidential spokesman His approval rating every citizen.
Erwin Larcierda said that registered the biggest drop in The new plan, which
despite the drop in Aquino’s the National Capital Region addresses human rights
ratings, the results of the in northern Philippines at +18, protection work from 2012-
latest Social Weather Stations from +52 in March. 2015, was published by the
(SWS) show that “the public Despite the power problem State Council Information
sees and appreciates the in southern Philippines,

Cambodian FM heads for

Office and follows the
efforts of the government and Aquino enjoyed the highest previous one that covered
its accomplishments.” net satisfaction rating in the 2009-2010 period.
“In most parts of the Mindanao at +61.

US to boost bilateral ties country, (Aquino) enjoys

PHNOM PENH (Xinhua)
-- Cambodia’s Deputy Prime
Minister and Foreign Minister
Hor Namhong, Chair of 2012
ASEAN, on Sunday evening
left Cambodia for the United
States on an official visit to
boost bilateral relations and
the ASEAN-US ties.
Speaking at the Phnom
Penh International Airport
before his departure, Hor
Namhong said, “The visit
will tighten Cambodia-US
relations and the ASEAN-US
ties.”
He is scheduled to meet
the US Secretary of State
Hillary Clinton on June 12,
according to a press release
from Cambodia’s Foreign
Ministry. He will also have
a separate meeting with
Senator Jim Webb, Chairman
of the Sub-Committee on
East Asia and Pacific Affairs,
and Daniel Russel, Special
Assistant to the US President
Barack Obama in charge of
East Asian Affairs.
Hor Namhong said during
the upcoming meeting with
Hillary, he will ask the US
side to reconsider relieving
the debt that Cambodia owed
in 1970s.
“In the past, there had been
several times of negotiations
between Cambodia’s finance
ministry and the US on
settling the debt... During
the visit, I will ask the US to
continue negotiations to reach
a solution that is acceptable
to the two sides,” he told
reporters.
Cambodia owed the United
States US$162 million in the
Lon Nol regime between 1970
and 1975. Plus interest rate, to
date, the debt has amounted
to more than US$400 million,
according to Cambodia’s
Foreign Ministry.
Cambodian government
considers the debt as “dirty
debt” and has urged the United
States for years to convert the
debt into aid, but Washington
has not agreed to it yet.
strong majority approval. It
is important to note that the
Singapore to continue developing
arbitration sector
SINGAPORE, (Xinhua)
-- Singapore will continue
to develop its arbitration
sector by moving in line with
industry needs, Law Minister K
Shanmugam said on Monday.
Speaking at an event of the
arbitration sector, Shanmugam
said the Singapore International
Arbitration Centre handled 188
new cases last year. Of these,
135 were international cases
fully administered in accordance
with the centre’s rules.
By contrast, the Hong Kong
The latest SWS survey
was conducted from May 24
to 27.
Japan aims for 12
percent smoking
rate
JAPAN (The Yomiuri
Shimbun) --The government
has approved a 12 percent
target rate for smoking
International Arbitration Centre among adults, representing
administered 41 new cases last the first numerical goal to be
year, including domestic cases. included in its basic plans
In the first five months of to fight cancer and drawing
2012, the Singapore centre praise from activists battling
handled 118 new cases, the effects of secondhand
double the number handled in smoke.
the same period last year. The plans were approved at
The total value of these cases a Cabinet meeting Friday.
were over 2 billion Singapore A 57-year-old widow
dollars (US$1.6 billion), which in Yamato, Kanagawa
is more than the total value of Prefecture, still regrets not
1.3 billion Singapore dollars stopping her husband from
(US$1.04 billion) for the cases working at a company with a
handled last year. number of smokers.

VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT
(Announcement No. 12/40)
OPEN TO: All interested candidates
POSITION: Computer Program Assistant (IPC)
OPENING DATE: June 4, 2012
CLOSING DATE: June 18, 2012
WORK HOURS: Full-time; 40 hours/week
SALARY: Actual salary will be based on the qualifications of the applicant.

NOTE: THIS IS A LOCAL POSITION. THE SELECTED CANDIDATE WILL COME UNDER LOCAL LABOR LAW,
AND BE PAID ACCORDING TO THE EMBASSY’S LOCAL COMPENSATION PLAN. ALL ORDINARY RESIDENT
APPLICANTS MUST BE RESIDING IN LAOS AND HAVE THE REQUIRED WORK AND/OR RESIDENCY PERMITS
TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR CONSIDERATION.

The U.S. Embassy in Vientiane is seeking an individual for the position of Computer Program Assistant in the Information
Programs Center (IPC), Management Section.

BASIC FUNCTION OF POSITION:

The incumbent assists the Information Programs Center (IPC) in four distinct areas: Computer Systems end- user support; setup and
operation of Embassy audio-visual (A/V) systems such as soundboards as well as schedule, test and operate Embassy DVC system;
cross-trains on other IRM related systems (e.g., telephone switchroom, mailroom, network administration) to provide support as
needed; and performs individual and group instruction on Microsoft Suite products and IRM supported web based programs as area
matter expert. Trains and educates users on proper email and file management practices.

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:

1. Education: An Associate degree (2 years college) in computer science is needed. Commercial computer certification required
(Comptia A+ and Net+). Must have strong working knowledge and proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.

2. Prior Work Experience: One to two years of progressively responsible experience as a Computer Systems administrator or end
user helpdesk support.

3. Language Proficiency: Level III – A thorough working knowledge of English is required to include technical terms used in
Computer Systems administration. Must be able to address and train groups people in English. Level IV Lao - A thorough
knowledge of spoken and written Lao is required to interface with local providers.

4. Job Knowledge: Familiarity with systems analysis and basics of LAN/WANs. Working knowledge of Windows 2003, Windows
XP Professional, Exchange 2003, and SMS operating systems and applications. Advanced knowledge of the Microsoft Office
applications. Must have excellent keyboarding and software skills.

5. Skills and Abilities: Advanced knowledge of the Microsoft Office 2007 applications and SharePoint.

HOW TO APPLY
Interested applicants for this position must submit the following for the application to be considered:
1. Universal Application for Employment (Form DS-174). Download the form at: http://laos.usembassy.gov/job_opportunities.html
2. Candidates who claim U.S. Veterans preference must provide a copy of their Form DD-214 with their application.
3. Any other documentation (e.g., essays, certificates, awards, copies of degrees earned) that
addresses the qualification requirements of the position as listed above.

SUBMIT APPLICATION TO
Human Resources Office
American Embassy
Rue Bartholonie, That Dam
PO Box 114, Vientiane, Laos
(Hardcopy or e-mail attachments are accepted)

POINT OF CONTACT
Telephone: 856-21-267176
Fax: 856-21-267140
E-mail: VientianeHR@state.gov

Interested persons should contact Embassy Human Resources Office for more information. Blank application forms may be picked
up from the cabinet inside the Embassy entrance.
Only shortlisted candidates will be notified.

CLOSING DATE FOR THIS POSITION: June 18, 2012

An Equal Opportunity Employer
Vientiane Times
ILO calls for action
against child labour
GENEVA (ILO News) -- A
large gap remains between the
ratification of Conventions on
child labour and the actions
countries take to deal with
the problem, the International
Labour Organisation (ILO)
said in a report marking
the tenth anniversary of the
annual World Day Against
Child Labour today.
“There is no room for
complacency when 215
million children are still
labouring to survive and more
than half of these are exposed
to the worst forms of child
labour, including slavery
and involvement in armed
conflict. We cannot allow the
eradication of child labour to
slip down the development
agenda – all countries should be
striving to achieve this target,
individually and collectively,”
said ILO Director-General
Juan Somavia.
New estimates released
on 1 June showed that some 5
million children are caught in
forced labour, which includes
conditions such as commercial
sexual exploitation and debt
bondage – and this is thought
to be an underestimate.
The ILO’s child labour
Conventions 138 concerning
the Minimum Age for
Admission to Employment
and 182 on the Worst Forms
of Child Labour are among
the most widely ratified of all
the ILO Conventions. Of the
ILO’s 185 member states, 88
percent have ratified the first
and 95.1 percent the latter. The
goal is universal ratification
by 2015.
However, according to a
new report entitled “Tackling
child labour: from commitment
to action”, progress in reducing
child labour has often been
outweighed by a failure to
translate commitments into
practice.
The largest gap between
commitment and action is in
the informal economy, where
the majority of violations of
fundamental labour rights
occur, the report says.
Children in rural and
agricultural areas, as well as
children of migrant workers
and indigenous peoples, are
most vulnerable to being
caught in child labour.
The ILO also indicates that
relatively few cases against
child labour reach national
courts of law. Sanctions for
violations are often too weak
to be effective deterrents
against the exploitation of
children.
This means national
judicial and law enforcement
institutions along with victim
protection programmes need
Tuesday June 12, 2012 7
World
to be strengthened.
While much more needs
to be done, the ILO paper
recognises the important
progress being made in
a number of countries to
improve law and practice.
This includes:
A growing list of countries
establishing national plans to
tackle child labour. Many new
legislative prohibitions that
aim to identify and prevent
hazardous work by children.
More legislation being adopted
against child prostitution and
child pornography. A marked A worker of Radical Left Coalition introduces their campaign policy at an election campaign stand in
increase in international Athens. --Photo Xinhua
cooperation and mutual
assistance among member
states, particularly on issues
concerning trafficking.
Greek socialist, Left leaders call for unity
“We should also build
on national policies and government to review bailout deals after polls
programmes that are in
place and learn from them to ATHENS (Xinhua) -- Greek the second in two months, the to push through any measures
ensure effective action against socialist PASOK party leader two leaders presented similar to solve Greece’s debt crisis.
child labour in all parts of Evangelos Venizelos and proposals, as opinion surveys The former Finance
the world,” said the ILO Democratic Left leader Fotis indicate that, like the first Minister suggested instead the
Director-General. He added: Kouvelis called on Sunday round of polls on May 6, no formation of a “national shared
“Decent work for parents, for the formation of a national party again would win absolute responsibility” government to
and education for children unity government after the June parliamentary majority to form renegotiate “with credibility”
are indispensable elements of 17 general elections to review a government and implement its some painful terms of the two
strategies for the elimination international bailout deals with policies. bailout agreements Greece
of child labour. Let us lenders, ease the pressure on “The country can not signed with EU counterparts
redouble our efforts and move recession-hit Greece and keep it be governed with slim and International Monetary
forward with the Roadmap in the eurozone. majorities,” Venizelos stressed Fund (IMF) since May 2010
adopted in The Hague in 2010 One week before the critical during a press briefing in to avert a chaotic default that
to eliminate the worst forms polls that could determine the Athens, arguing that a weak could destabilize the entire
of child labour by 2016.” debt-ridden country’s future, government would not be able euro zone.

INVITATION TO TENDER

PROCUREMENT OF LIGHT VEHICLES, TRUCKS AND PEOPLE MOVER

We are looking for IT auditors in the Lao PDR.
KPMG is a global network of professional firms providing Audit, Tax, and Advisory services.
We have 145,000 outstanding professionals working together to deliver value in 152 countries
worldwide.
KPMG has been active in the Lao PDR since 1997 and we are a leading auditor and consultant
in the country. Led by a full-time resident partner, KPMG currently has 35 professional staff,
who have full access to KPMG’s global technical resources. In addition to providing world-
class services to our clients, we devote international standard resources to the training and
development of our Lao staff, Lao’s future leaders. We provide a depth of expertise and
understanding that allows us to form strong and supportive relationships with our clients.
KPMG's Information Risk Management (IRM) practice focuses on fundamental business issues
- managing risk, increasing revenues, controlling costs - that organizations, across various
industries, should address in order to help them flourish. We help companies to identify and
manage risks inherent in business processes and technology systems that support business
objectives, and provide them with the information needed to help them meet their strategic and
financial goals. Our services are specialized to help clients mitigate risks across their entire
business. You will help deliver services to our expanding range of clients and develop your
own skills and experience to become one of our leaders in the Lao PDR. We are looking for
individuals with the following profiles:
IRM assistant
• University Degree or experience working for an international organisation.
• Good command of English.
• Strong analytical and communication skills.
• Computer literate.
• Ability to work in high performing teams and under pressure.
• Willingness to work in provinces as well as Vientiane.
• Understanding of finance, accounting, ERP / CRM packages and / or IT
management would be an advantage.
• Ambition to learn and develop in the profession
Attractive remuneration packages and benefits will be offered to the right candidates. Please
submit resume, stating qualifications and experience, expected salary, and contact details,
together with a recent photo, to the address below:
HR Unit
KPMG Lao Co., Ltd.
P.O. Box 6978
Vientiane Capital
Lao PDR
Tel: +856 (21) 900344, 900527-8, 454240-7
Fax +856 (21) 900 347
E-mail: lpheuisiri@kpmg.com
Lao Sanxai Minerals Co.,Ltd (LSM) is a joint venture between leading international mining group, Rio
Tinto plc and international trading, investment and service enterprise, Mitsui & Co., Ltd. The companies
have a track record for success in their respective industries which incorporate exploring, mining and
processing mineral resources and product sales, worldwide logistics and financing and development of
major international infrastructure.
LSM seeks suitable provider/s for the following goods:
No. Description Quantity
1 Diesel 4x4 Dual cab utility with tray – as per tender documents 4
2 Diesel 4x4 Wagon 1
3 Diesel 4x4 Wagon (pre-fitted or suitable for modification to Paramedic response vehicle) 1
4 Diesel 4x4 Truck with tray plus vehicle mounted crane min 3 tonnes @ 2m Vehicle minimum payload 5.5 tonnes 1
5 Diesel 4x4 People mover minimum 14 person carrying capacity 3
6 Aftermarket fit-out of vehicles listed above - as per tender documents
Tenders submitted may cover all or some of the Goods listed above and must conform to the Tender
Documents.
This Tender is open to all eligible bidders who have a business license related to the above Goods and
updated tax payment certificate of recent year. Goods must be Laos road registered to LSM and be
delivered by 30 September 2012 at the Vientiane office of LSM.
Tenders must be submitted at the offices of LSM (listed below) by 2.00 pm on June 29, 2012. It is the
Tenderer’s responsibility to ensure that its Tender is delivered by the due time and date. Delays in delivery
will not excuse the late arrival of a Tender.
Tenders must be submitted on the Tender Documents and be sealed in an envelope or package bearing
the address of LSM and marked “Bidding for Supply of Vehicles/Trucks”. One original and one copy of
the complete Tender must be lodged.
LSM reserves the right to reject any Tender or to waive any irregularities in a Tender submitted. LSM
is under no obligation to accept any Tender submitted. Any Contract awarded will be entirely at the
discretion of the LSM. No costs will be accepted associated with the preparation of your Tender.
It is expected that a Contract will be awarded about 13th July 2012
Any queries regarding this Tender and supply of the Tender Documents should be addressed in writing
for the attention of:
Mr. Sompathana Simasing,
Manager-Administration
Lao Sanxai Minerals Co., Ltd
5th Floor, ANZV Building, 33 Lane Xang Ave, Hatsady Village,
Chanthaboury District, Vientiane Capital, Lao PDR Tel: 021-222736
Mobile: (020) 55033990 Fax: 021-218538
E-mail: sompathana.simasing@riotinto.com
8 Tuesday June 12, 2012 Vientiane Times

JOB VACANCY
Multinational mineral drilling company is seeking applications from Lao Nationals with relevant qualifications
and experience for immediate starts at our Vientiane office:

Positions Available:
1. Finance/Accounting Supervisor (Indochina) based at Vientiane office , Lao PDR
- Interpreting and implementing accounting, credit, tax or financial concept for financial planning and control.
- Perform basic technical analysis using professional concepts
- Manage accountant team to ensure smooth operation and service as well as legal and corporate requirements.
- Work with Finance Manager and other managers to deliver financial and accounting service as business direction,
requirement and laws.
- Support management to on information, budget and report execution and gathering.
- Perform internal audit and coordinate with external audit.
- Liaison with external parties to deliver effective finance and accounting service.
- Ensure legal and corporate compliance with trust and clear.
Qualification
- Lao nationality is advantage
- 5 – 10 years up accounting / finance experiences
- Experience in supervising staff and management skill
- Good at English
- Able to work in diversity environment
- Understand Indochina financial and accounting laws is advantage.
- Overseas exposure is advantage
- Self-motivation and good interpersonal
- Sharp, smart, willing to learn and proactive
- Know Oracle is advantage

2. Fixed Assets & General Accountant (Indochina)based at Vientiane office , Lao PDR
- Implementing basic accounting, credit, tax or financial concepts for financial planning and control.
- Taking care of fixed asset management to comply with laws and company requirement / policy and business serve
- Support supervisor on information, reporting and execution of key information
Qualification:
- Lao nationality is advantage
- Educational background of accounting, finance or relevant
- 2 -5 years up accounting / finance experiences
- Experience in supervising staff and management skill
- Good at English
- Able to work in diversity environment
- Understand Indochina financial and accounting laws is advantage.
- Overseas exposure is advantage
-
3. Treasury & General Accountant (Indochina)based at Vientiane office , Lao PDR
- Implementing basic accounting, credit, tax or financial concepts for financial planning and control.
- Taking care of treasury to comply with laws and company requirement / policy and business serve
- Support supervisor on information, reporting and execution of key information
Qualification:
- Lao nationality is advantage
- 2 – 5 years up accounting / finance experiences
- Educational background of accounting, finance or relevant
- Experience in supervising staff and management skill
- Good at English
- Able to work in diversity environment
- Understand Indochina financial and accounting laws is advantage.
- Overseas exposure is advantage

Attractive salary and AGL insurance will be provided based upon experience.
To apply, email to: tawat.tadang@boartlongyear.comOr RecruitmentLaos@boartlongyear.com
or deliver your CV and a statement explaining how your qualifications and experience match the position requirements,
and expectation, to the address below:

No 135, Unit 15, Ban Phonthan Neua, Saysetha District,

Vientiane Capital, Lao P.D.R, P.O.Box 6681
Before 15th June 2012

Job Vacancy (Re-advertise)

About the Company:
Datacom Co. Ltd was established in 1997 from five staff members, now the company employs more than 50 full-
time employees.

Today Datacom is the leader in enterprise IT services and products in Lao PDR. Datacom is celebrating its 15th
year Anniversary with constantly rising and fast growing businesses. As the authorised distributor for DELL Inc. for
15 years (PCs, Notebooks, Servers, Storage and Solution) for Lao Market, as well as other global brand such APC
(American Power Conversion now under Schneider electrics), Emerson, Toshiba (Notebook), Level 1 and others.
We are inviting new interested, challenge loving personnel to join our family in the following position.

Sales Manager 1 Position

o Key Responsibilities:
• Develops a business plan and sales strategy for the market that ensures attainment of company sales goals and
profitability.
• Responsible for the performance and development of the Sale Representatives.
• Assists in the development and implementation of marketing plans as needed.

o Qualification Requirements:
• Education background in marketing, business management , accounting or other related fields
• A minimum of 1-2 years in Sales Experience is highly preferred
• Excellent communication and presentation skills
• Self-motivated, goal-driven with a strong sense of teamwork.

Marketing Assistant 2 Positions

o Key Responsibilities:
• Assists in the development and implementation of marketing plans.
• Maintains close relationship with partners and clients while striving to establish new relationship with
perspective clients.
• Collects necessary data of market, competitions and other relevant information for assessing the market.

o Qualifications Requirements:
• Education background in Marketing, Business Management, or other related fields.
• Experience in sales or marketing is preferred.
• Good communication and presentation skills.
• Able to work under demanding and time constraints.
• Good command of English.
• Work well with people from different levels.

Interest applicants are requested to submit your recent resume or curriculum vitae (CV) with cover letter
expressing your suitability for the positions before 15 th June 2012.

* Successful candidate will receive a special contract agreement with multiple benefits and income.

DATACOM Co., Ltd

2nd Floor., Sihom Commerce Center Building, Souphanouvong Road,
Sihom, Chanthabuly District
Vientiane Capital, Lao P.D.R
Tel: +856 21 250850-1
Fax: +856 21 219117
Email: hr@datacomlao.com or info@datacomlao.com

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

DATACOM is determined to be an equal opportunity employer and seek to employ employee from different sections.
The aim of this statement is to make sure that no staff-member or job applicant will be treated less fairly than other
person on the grounds of ethnic origin, disability, race, nationality, age, gender, marital status or other grounds that
are unjustifiable.
Vientiane Times Tuesday June 12, 2012 9
10 Tuesday June 12, 2012 Vientiane Times
Vientiane Times Tuesday June 12, 2012 11
12 Tuesday June 12, 2012 Vientiane Times

RANGE ROVER EVOQUE

Units in stock
Call now for special offer
021 265 130-1

ນະຄອນຫຼວງວຽງຈັນ / VIENTIANE

ໂທ/Tel: (+856) 21 265 130-1
ແຟັກ/Fax: (+856) 21 265 129
E-mail: sales.laolandrover@landroverlaos.com http://www.facebook.com/landroverlaos Official Dealer in Lao PDR

www.landroverlaos.com

LAO PEOPLE’S DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC

PEACE INDEPENDENCE DEMOCRACY UNITY PROSPERITY
Ministry of Planning and Investment
--------000--------
Mainstreaming Disaster and Climate Risk Management into Investment Decision
PHRD Grant no. TF011271

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

FOR CONSULTANTCY SERVICES
(Date of issuance: 11 June 2012)

The Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI) has initiated preparation of a Technical Assistance (TA) in the
amount of US$2.7 million, which is supported by the World Bank who is acting as administrator of grant funds
provided by Japan under the Japan Policy and Human Resources Development Technical Assistance Program to
Support the Government of Lao PDR in its efforts to strengthen the institutional authority and implementation
capacity of the Government of Lao PDR at national and sub-national levels to mainstreaming disaster risk
management and climate change adaptation into public infrastructure investments, thereby potentially decreasing
the vulnerability of the population and national economy to climate change and natural hazards. This Program
of Support will be coordinated by the Ministry of Planning and Investment. The implementing partners will be
Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF), and Ministry of Public Works and Transport (MPWT).

The development objectives are expected to be achieved by:

• Integrating climate and disaster risk management into strategic national and sectoral planning and
development policies, especially for Roads, Housing, Urban planning, and Irrigation sectors;
• Improving the consideration of disaster and climate resilience in the implementation of public infrastructure;
• Enhancing the human and institutional capacity through training at national, provincial, district, and
community level in the design and implementation of resilient infrastructure; and
• Demonstrating the implementation of strategic structural and non-structural measures to enhance resilience
by means of Pilot Studies in two risk-prone provinces
The scope of the project includes (i) risk assessment, (ii) develop data base of the disaster vulnerable infrastructure,
(iii) improvement of the disaster resilience standard and technical guidelines, (iv) improvement of planning
process and mechanism for disaster resilience public investment within the implementing Ministries and between
Implementing Ministries and MPI, (v) design and monitor pilot projects, (vi) provision of training to agencies
concerned on the guidelines.

It is expected that two years of consultancy services will be required to complete the tasks described above, started
from September 2012.

Interested Consulting Firms must provide information indicating that they are qualified to perform the services
(profiles, brochures, description of similar assignments, experience in similar conditions, availability of appropriate
skills among key staff of the firm and proof of staff to carry out the assignment, etc.). Firms may associate to
enhance their qualifications.
Firms will be selected in accordance with the procedures set out in the World Bank’s Guidelines: Selection and
Employment of Consultants by World Bank Borrowers (May 2004, revised 1 October 2006 & 1 May 2010 edition).
Procurement Method is Quality and Cost Based Selection (QCBS)
Interested consultants may obtain further clarifications at the address below during office hours 08:00 to 16:00
hours. Expressions of interest must be delivered to the address below by 28 June 2012 before 16:00 hours (local
time), and should be clearly marked on the subject “Consultancy Services for Mainstreaming Disaster and Climate
Risk Management into Investment Decision”.

Ministry of Planning and Investment

Department of Planning
Attn.: Mr.Viengkhone Bouaphachanh
Sithan Neua Village, Sikhottabong District, Vientiane Capital, Lao PDR
Tel/Fax: 021 216719
E-mail: v.bouaphachanh@gmail.com

And copy to:

Ms. Vilayphet Southavilay,
Tel: 856-(20)2222 9422, E-mail: vstoon@hotmail.com
Vientiane Times Tuesday June 12, 2012 13
VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT
(Announcement No. 12/36) (Announcement No. 12/37)
Re-advertised Re-advertised

OPEN TO: All interested candidates OPEN TO: All interested candidates
POSITION: Guard Shift Supervisors (NEC), FSN-6 POSITION: Sergeants (NEC), FSN-4
OPENING DATE: June 7, 2012 OPENING DATE: June 7, 2012
CLOSING DATE: June 15, 2012 CLOSING DATE: June 15, 2012
CONTRACT: Less than three years CONTRACT: Less than three years
WORK HOURS: Full-time; 48 hours/week WORK HOURS: Full-time; 48 hours/week
SALARY: Actual grade and salary will be based on the qualifications of the applicant. SALARY: Actual grade and salary will be based on the qualifications of the applicant.

NOTE: THIS IS A LOCAL POSITION. THE SELECTED CANDIDATE WILL COME UNDER LOCAL LABOR LAW, NOTE: THIS IS A LOCAL POSITION. THE SELECTED CANDIDATE WILL COME UNDER LOCAL LABOR LAW,
AND BE PAID ACCORDING TO THE EMBASSY’S LOCAL COMPENSATION PLAN. ALL ORDINARILY RESIDENT AND BE PAID ACCORDING TO THE EMBASSY’S LOCAL COMPENSATION PLAN. ALL ORDINARILY RESIDENT
APPLICANTS MUST BE RESIDING IN LAOS AND HAVE THE REQUIRED WORK AND/OR RESIDENCY PERMITS APPLICANTS MUST BE RESIDING IN LAOS AND HAVE THE REQUIRED WORK AND/OR RESIDENCY PERMITS
TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR CONSIDERATION. TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR CONSIDERATION.

The U.S. Embassy in Vientiane is seeking three (3) individuals for the position of Guard Shift Supervisors for the New Embassy The U.S. Embassy in Vientiane is seeking three (3) individuals for the position of Sergeants for the New Embassy Compound (NEC)
Compound (NEC) Project. Project.

BASIC FUNCTION OF POSITION BASIC FUNCTION OF POSITION

The incumbent reports directly to the NEC Guard Commander, SSM and RSO and is one of three front line Shift Supervisors for the
New Embassy Compound (NEC) Guard Force. In addition, during each shift, the shift supervisor conducts NEC post inspections
and coordinates monthly emergency response drills with Embassy Guard Force. The incumbent is responsible for reviewing and
understanding all applicable RSO and Guard Orders and Embassy Operational Plans.
QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED
NOTE: All applicants must address each selection criterion detailed below with specific and comprehensive information
supporting each item.
1. Education: Completion of Secondary School is required
2. Prior Work Experience: Two years of Embassy guard duties or directly applicable military or police experience.
3. Language Proficiency: Level III English and Lao, good working knowledge required.
4. Job Knowledge: Must be thoroughly familiar with all Embassy Guard orders, procedures, standards and emergency responses.
5. Skills and Abilities: Must be able to take initiative and work with a minimal amount of supervision. Must be able to deal
effectively with people from different cultures in order to obtain goals and cooperation as well as to represent the American
Embassy in a professional manner.
Incumbent serves as the mid-level supervisor for the New Embassy Compound (NEC) and reports to the NEC Guard Commander,
SSM and RSO. Responsible for supervising all guards assigned at the NEC during respective shift and ensuring compliance with
orders, procedures and standards as set forth by the RSO, NEC Guard Supervisors and published documents.
QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED
NOTE: All applicants must address each selection criterion detailed below with specific and comprehensive information
supporting each item.
1. Education: Completion of Secondary School is required
2. Prior Work Experience: Three years of Embassy guard duties or directly applicable military or police experience.
3. Language Proficiency: Level II English, minimal working knowledge required. Level IV, fluently spoken and written Lao
required.
4. Job Knowledge: Must be thoroughly familiar with all Embassy Guard orders, procedures, standards and emergency
responses.
5. Skills and Abilities: Must be able to take initiative and work with a minimal amount of supervision. Must demonstrate
leadership and supervisory skills.

HOW TO APPLY HOW TO APPLY

Interested applicants for this position must submit the following for the application to be considered:
1. Universal Application for Employment (Form DS-174). Download the form
at: http://laos.usembassy.gov/job_opportunities.html
2. Candidates who claim U.S. Veterans preference must provide a copy of their Form DD-214 with their application.
3. Any other documentation (e.g., essays, certificates, awards, copies of degrees earned) that
addresses the qualification requirements of the position as listed above.
Interested applicants for this position must submit the following for the application to be considered:
1. Universal Application for Employment (Form DS-174). Download the form at: http://laos.usembassy.gov/job_opportunities.html
2. Candidates who claim U.S. Veterans preference must provide a copy of their Form DD-214 with their application.
3. Any other documentation (e.g., essays, certificates, awards, copies of degrees earned) that
addresses the qualification requirements of the position as listed above.

SUBMIT APPLICATION TO SUBMIT APPLICATION TO

Human Resources Office Human Resources Office
American Embassy American Embassy
Rue Bartholonie, That Dam Rue Bartholonie, That Dam
PO Box 114, Vientiane, Laos PO Box 114, Vientiane, Laos
(Hardcopy or e-mail attachments are accepted) (Hardcopy or e-mail attachments are accepted)

POINT OF CONTACT POINT OF CONTACT

Telephone: 856-21-267176 Telephone: 856-21-267176
Fax: 856-21-267140 Fax: 856-21-267140
E-mail: VientianeHR@state.gov E-mail: VientianeHR@state.gov

Interested persons should contact Embassy Human Resources Office for more information. Blank application forms may be picked Interested persons should contact Embassy Human Resources Office for more information. Blank application forms may be picked
up from the cabinet inside the Embassy entrance. up from the cabinet inside the Embassy entrance.
Only shortlisted candidates will be notified. Only shortlisted candidates will be notified.

CLOSING DATE FOR THIS POSITION: June 15, 2012 CLOSING DATE FOR THIS POSITION: June 15, 2012
An Equal Opportunity Employer An Equal Opportunity Employer

VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT
(Announcement No. 12/35)
Re-advertised

OPEN TO: All interested candidates

POSITION: Guard Commander (NEC), FSN-8
OPENING DATE: June 7, 2012
CLOSING DATE: June 15, 2012
CONTRACT: Less than three years
WORK HOURS: Full-time; 48 hours/week
SALARY: Actual grade and salary will be based on the qualifications of the applicant.

NOTE: THIS IS A LOCAL POSITION. THE SELECTED CANDIDATE WILL COME UNDER LOCAL LABOR LAW,
AND BE PAID ACCORDING TO THE EMBASSY’S LOCAL COMPENSATION PLAN. ALL ORDINARILY RESIDENT
APPLICANTS MUST BE RESIDING IN LAOS AND HAVE THE REQUIRED WORK AND/OR RESIDENCY PERMITS
TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR CONSIDERATION.

The U.S. Embassy in Vientiane is seeking an individual for the position of Guard Commander for the New Embassy Compound
(NEC) Project.

BASIC FUNCTION OF POSITION

Incumbent serves as the senior supervisor for the entire NEC guard force and reports to the NEC Site Security Manager and the
Regional Security Officer (RSO). Responsible for supervising all NEC guards, managing schedules, distributing and maintaining
equipment, training new hires and ensuring compliance with orders, procedures and standards as set forth by the RSO and published
documents.

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED
NOTE: All applicants must address each selection criterion detailed below with specific and comprehensive information
supporting each item.

1. Education: Completion of Secondary School is required

2. Prior Work Experience: At least five years of Embassy guard duties or directly applicable military or police experience.
3. Language Proficiency: Level III English, good working knowledge and Level IV Lao, fluently speaking and writing
required.
4. Job Knowledge: Must be thoroughly familiar with all Embassy Guard orders, procedures, standards and emergency
responses.
5. Skills and Abilities: Must demonstrate leadership, supervisory skills and organizational skills. Must have a valid driving
license and be physically fit and able.

HOW TO APPLY

Interested applicants for this position must submit the following for the application to be considered:
1. Universal Application for Employment (Form DS-174). Download the form at: http://laos.usembassy.gov/job_opportunities.html
2. Candidates who claim U.S. Veterans preference must provide a copy of their Form DD-214 with their application.
3. Any other documentation (e.g., essays, certificates, awards, copies of degrees earned) that
addresses the qualification requirements of the position as listed above.

SUBMIT APPLICATION TO
Human Resources Office
American Embassy
Rue Bartholonie, That Dam
PO Box 114, Vientiane, Laos
(Hardcopy or e-mail attachments are accepted)

POINT OF CONTACT
Telephone: 856-21-267176
Fax: 856-21-267140
E-mail: VientianeHR@state.gov

Interested persons should contact Embassy Human Resources Office for more information. Blank application forms may be picked up
from the cabinet inside the Embassy entrance.
Only shortlisted candidates will be notified.

CLOSING DATE FOR THIS POSITION: June 15, 2012

An Equal Opportunity Employer
14 Tuesday June 12, 2012 Vientiane Times

Opinion
Germany’s energy revolution hits potholes
Julio Godoy
BERLIN (IPS) -- When the
German government decided
last year to phase out nuclear
energy by 2022, following the
catastrophe at the Fukushima
power plant in Japan, it was
clear that the process would
require extraordinary effort,
not only in further developing
alternative energy sources,
especially renewables, but also
in upgrading the country-wide
electricity grid.
Germany’s nuclear power
plants generated a steady 20
percent of the total electricity
consumed in the country last
year. But renewable energy
sources such as wind and sun
are mainly generated in the
north of the country, are prone
to fluctuations, and need to be
transported and managed by a
new smart grid.
Consequently, the German
government was set to install
some 1,800 kilometres of
new, high voltage power lines
across the country by 2012, to
improve the storage capacity of
the present grid.
Despite the urgency, only
214 kilometres of new power
lines have been installed as of
Jun. 7.
Germany is one of the
largest industrialised countries
in the world to have officially
renounced nuclear power. Other
smaller European states, such
as Italy, Belgium and Austria,
have also pledged to phase out
nuclear power or refrain from
building new nuclear plants.
However, in order to truly
move towards dependence on
renewables, official figures
estimate that Germany
would need at least 3,800
kilometres of new power
lines by 2022. This new grid
is necessary to transport the
wind energy generated in off-
shore farms installed in the
North Atlantic Ocean to the
highly industrialised southern
regions of the country,
especially Bavaria and Baden
Wuerttemberg.
In addition, at least 4,400
kilometres of the existing grid
must be upgraded in that same
period. In all, the new grid
should cost some 32 billion
euros, roughly US$40 billion.
Given the extraordinary
boom renewable energy sources
have experienced in the country
over the past decade, the present
inefficient grid constitutes the
bottleneck of Germany’s energy
revolution.
Huge potential
On a sunny, spring day in
May, the country’s installed
solar energy panels alone
generated almost 75 percent of
the daily electricity demand.
On May 28, and the weekend
before, the photovoltaic panels
installed across Germany
generated some 22,000
megawatts per hour, while
consumption reached 28,000
MWs.
“In the face of this enormous
amount of electricity generated,
the present grid, which does
not have sufficient storage
capacity and cannot efficiently
At a protest to support solar energy at Brandenburger Gate in Berlin.
transport electricity, constitutes
our main problem,” Helmut
Jaeger, managing director of
SOLVIS, a leading solar energy
equipment manufacturer, said
during a conference in Berlin
on Jun. 6.
This deficiency of the grid
also forces operators of wind
turbines to shut them off for long
periods of time, if the instant
demand is not high enough
to immediately consume the
electricity generated by the
wind farms.
To make matters worse,
Germany has recently been on
the brink of suffering power
blackouts, after having shut
down its oldest seven nuclear
power plants. This past winter,
during some periods of high
consumption of electricity and
low generation of wind and solar
energy, Germany had to import
electricity from neighbouring
countries, especially from
France.
Jaeger said that this risk
continues, and could worsen if
the coming winters turn out to
be colder and longer than the
one of 2011-2012.
German electricity operators
have already developed small-
scales schemes to deal with
over-generation of electricity on
sunny, windy days, and deficits
kilometres southeast of Berlin.
In the model of Mannheim,
neighbouring houses using
solar panels are linked to each
other, in clusters of energy-
efficient urban units. “The
energy butler analyses the
present supply of electricity
and its price, compares it to
the potential demand in the
urban unit, and decides whether
to start operating washing
machines or temporarily shut
off refrigerators and heating
systems, in order to optimise
consumption according to
prices and supply,” Wolski told
IPS.
In other schemes, industrial
refrigerators are used as storage
devices in periods of high
supply of renewable energy,
when electricity prices are low.
This is the case for fisheries in
the city of Cuxhaven, just 20
kilometres inshore of the North
Atlantic Ocean.
during high consumption winter In a small-scale smart
periods. grid, which encompasses 650
One of these schemes is households, one communal
the so called ‘energy butler’, swimming pool, several
an electronic device able to refrigerated warehouses, and
coordinate electricity demand combined heat and power
and supply, according to instant stations, the local energy
prices, of small neighbourhoods provider EWE has developed
already using photovoltaic and a cluster of generation and
wind turbine installations, or of storage facilities.
local combined heat and power “When the wind turbine
stations. parks installed off-shore
“The most efficient way generate high amounts of
to use renewable energy is electricity, we cool down the
to consume it locally and refrigerated warehouses to
immediately,” said Thomas extreme temperatures, and use
Wolski, manager of a model them as accumulators,” Tanja
local smart grid in the city Schmedes, managing director
of Mannheim, some 500 of EWE’s project, told IPS.

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Vientiane Times Tuesday June 12, 2012 Opinion 15

An unprecedented Taking care of the old is this generation’s responsibility

challenge
BEIJING (Xinhuanet) -- It is
an unprecedented challenge
moving nearly 300 million
people - equal to the total
population of the United States
- into cities by 2030.
China’s approach, which
it has successfully used
to crack every problem it
has encountered during its
reform and opening-up, is to
experiment first.
Four years ago, the
central government set Hunan
province the task of “killing
several birds with one stone”.
The province was charged
with improving its ecological
and environmental conditions,
and upgrading its polluting
and low-end manufacturing
sectors into high-tech and
green ones, while speeding up
its urbanisation and realising
better human development
in the Changsha-Zhuzhou-
Xiangtan city corridor.
The pilot in Hunan is of
great significance for the rest
of the country. Apart from
the three big urban clusters,
Beijing-Tianjin, the Yangtze
River Delta and the Pearl
River Delta, which are already
densely populated, China has
decided to build dozens of
medium-scale urban corridors
or clusters in central and
western China, which can each
host millions of residents.
So the Changsha-Zhuzhou-
Xiangtan urban corridor in
Hunan, which is home to more
than 13 million residents and
produces more than 40 percent
of the province’s economic
output, needs to set an example
for the rest of the country to
realise the goal of building an
environmentally friendly and
resource-saving society.
To be frank, it has been a
tough challenge for Hunan
province and the three cities.
For example, several years
ago, Xiangjiang River was so
contaminated by toxic emissions
from low-end factories that it
could not be used as drinking
water. And in zones with
chemical and fertiliser plants,
the air was so polluted the
taxi drivers told me that they
would not open their windows
when they drove through the
zones. Although low-end
manufacturing sectors were the
drivers for local development
the quality of life in the cities
was poor and there was little
environmental protection
awareness among the public.
In May, I led an independent
team of experts to assess the
initial outcomes of this pilot
project. After visiting villages,
urban communities, schools,
factories, industrial zones, and
talking with locals, especially
with local residents, I am
pleased to report that the story
is now completely different
from four years ago. Hunan
province and the three cities
have been bold, innovation-
minded and pioneering to
break the old traditions and
industrial structure.
Changsha, the capital of
Hunan province, has been
awarded a UN award for its
beautiful urban environment.
Zhuzhou, which used to be
listed as one of China’s top-
10 polluted cities, is on the
country’s list of most habitable
and ecologically sound cities.
And Xiangtan is known as one
of the country’s gardening and
forest cities.
A bicycle hire system has
been set up in Zhuzhou while
other cities have expanded
their public transport systems
to minimise use of cars. There
are numerous other examples
of green communities, schools,
townships and villages.
Andrew Sheng
Oscar Wilde used to say that
the tragedy of old age is not that
one is old, but that one is young.
I belong to the baby boomer
generation, born from 1946
to 1965 that helped to create
an era of incredible economic
prosperity and technology,
and also responsible for the
biggest financial bubble, as
well as consumers of planetary
resources at a rate that will
leave future generations poorer.
Many of us feel that before we
go to the other side, we must
do something to give back to
society what we were able to
enjoy.
In the US alone, there are
75 million baby boomers,
or nearly one quarter of the
population, of which roughly
half are reaching retirement
age. In Japan, three employed
persons support one retiree, but
in ten years, it will be two to
one. Harvard Professor Arthur
Kleinman, one of the authorities
on public health, estimates that
China may reach that situation
by 2050. There are currently
3.2 million nursing home beds
in China, but the number of
people who may need such
beds are reaching 12 million.
As Asian societies become
more prosperous, it is time to
rethink the push for growth
and to consider a better quality
of life. Increasingly, there
is awareness that only three
things matter more for most
people – reasonable income/
jobs, social equality and a
sustainable environment. Asia
is still able to deliver these
because there is still growth
to generate resources to deal
with social inclusivity and
the environment. It is much
tougher in European countries
that are facing financial crises.
Population aging should
not be seen as a cost, but as an
opportunity. One of the primary
goals in global rebalancing
is to shift Asian production
out of excessive reliance on
manufacturing and exports to
domestic consumption and
services. Services account
for only 43 percent of China’s
GDP, 56 percent in India, but
over 75 percent for US Europe
and Japan.
The China Twelfth Five Year
Plan intends to raise the level of
services to 47 percent of GDP
by 2015, and if the Chinese
GDP reaches around US$11
trillion, the value of the services
sector would be nearly US$5.2
trillion, an increase of US$2
trillion from current levels.
Almost all policymakers in
Asia want to increase the size
of the services sector, but very
little is known about knowledge
Asian economies can upgrade
their medicare by leapfrogging
the technology and delivery
organisations, but it will take
strong political will.
and value generation in the
services sector, because it
is much more difficult to
measure statistically. There are
broadly three types of services
– production services related
to manufacturing, business
services and consumer services.
The service sector is a major
employer. In the United States,
professional and other services
went from roughly the same
number of workers in 1960 as
manufacturing to five times as
many by 2007.
But since Asians have
invested so much in the
manufacturing sector there
is a tendency to want to go
up the value chain, without
appreciating that the most
advanced manufacturers and
companies have already re-
engineered themselves into
“servitisation of products”
business models. They sell
the hardware cheaply (like
printers) and make more
money servicing the hardware,
like selling ink cartridges and
service warranties. IBM earns
more from services than selling
computers. Once iPhones and
iPads are sold, money from
downloading Apps just keep
on rolling in.
Services in emerging
markets are mostly concentrated
in distribution, education,
health, tourism and financial
services. Services tend to
be domestic-oriented, but
increasingly, services such as IT,
can be outsourced and produced
offshore.
Health and medicare, for
example, have become major
foreign exchange earners
for Malaysia, Singapore and
Thailand. World medical
tourism is estimated at
US$15 billion business,
mainly because in advanced
countries, medicare is getting
too expensive, whilst in many
emerging markets, the quality
of medicare is often poor,
causing those who can afford it
to go abroad for treatment.
Currently, most emerging
markets in Asia, like China and
India, spend up to 6 percent
of GDP on health services,
but advanced countries spend
over 10 percent of GDP with
the leader being the US at 15
percent of GDP. If China
were to increase spending to
8 percent of GDP by 2015,
the size of the market would
increase to US$880 billion, or
just under three times GDP of
Hong Kong.
Professor Kleinman makes
the relevant point that medical
services can be a tremendous
employment generator. For
example, it is estimated that 10
million caregivers are required
to look after the ageing
population in China, whereas
there are only 300,000 people
working in this field, with
only 100,000 professionally
qualified.
There is no question that
there will be tremendous
demand for medicare services
in Asia as the population ages.
Most Asian economies have
less than 2 doctors and hospital
beds per 1,000 people, whereas
the number of hospital beds
in Japan (with the most aged
population) can be as high as
14 per 1,000.
Most people would agree
that medicare costs in the
advanced countries can be
excessive. In the US, 40
percent of the lifetime medicare
costs are incurred in the last
two years before death. The
good news is that technology
and process innovation can
bring better health care quality
at lower costs. Doctors using
iPads can diagnose problems
off-site, provided the patients
have all their medical history
and tests digitised. Indian
hospitals are able to conduct
innovative cataract and heart
surgery at a fraction of the
costs in advanced countries.
Asian economies can upgrade
their medicare by leapfrogging
the technology and delivery
organisations, but it will take
strong political will.
It is clear that we can
no longer rely solely on the
government to provide medicare.
As the population ages, it is the
family and charity services
that will provide the volunteer
services to take care of the
elderly. Hospitals, home care
and financial support will have
to be redesigned to facilitate
this relationship so that society
rebonds the family, rather than
more and more older people
living and ageing in loneliness.
Taking care of the old is no
longer other people’s problem.
As Professor Kleinman
says, it is Asia’s next big
challenge and this generation’s
responsibility.
Andrew Sheng is President
of the Fung Global Institute.

Job Announcement VFi is seeking the following:

GREEN EARTH CENTRE Manager
LAO GOLD GROUND SURETY INVERSTMENT AND
CAPPITAL MEANS CO., LTD General Characteristics:
• Lao National
• Based in Lao Ngam District, Salavan Province
Our company is an investment/ financing and guarantee service • Ideally, successful candidate is from southern Laos
company, focusing on building a bridge between Lao small and middle • Education in agriculture or related field
size enterprises and banks, in the meantime it is the first investment/ • Knowledge and experience related to agricultural markets
• Experience in working with and training farmers
financing and guarantee company in Lao; Principle that the company
• Ability to manage Green Earth Centre (GEC) staff
adheres to: strictly comply with <guarantee law> and regulate the mode • Creativity and initiative a must
of company, lower conduct risk, to be responsible for bank loans, to • Lao language required, strong English a bonus
make its due contribution to the society
General Responsibilities:
• Overall operations of the GEC, including staff management
Now the company is hiring as following. • All Green Earth Centre training activities
Lawyer, accountant • All village-based training activities linked to Green Earth Centre
Financier, asset analyst • Green Earth Centre Marketing Linkages
Guarantee department: manager, guarantee assistant • Green Earth Centre Farmer Trainer and Volunteer management
• Create and sustain strong links to all other VFI projects
Risk control department: manager, supervisor
• All GEC planning and reporting
Comprehensive department: manager, administration assistant
Financial department: finance manager, accountant, teller For more information, contact:
Interested, please contact: 020 22659168 Hongthong Sirivath, Land & Livelihoods Program Coordinator
hongthong@villagefocus.org, tel. 021 312519
E-mail: 574014403@qq.com or
Applicant should have Chinese studying and living experience, good Phetdalay Phonthavixay, VFI Administrative Officer
command of Chinese phetdalay@villagefocus.org, tel. 021 312519
Located in Sikhottabong District , Wattay Nyai thong Village, T2 Road.
Application period closes June 15, 2012
16 Tuesday June 12, 2012
Feature
The lure of an island’s sacred energy
Alit Kertarahardja
(The Jakarta Post), ANN
-- More than 20 years
ago, Indonesian coral reef
conservationist I Gusti Agung
Prana was spiritually amazed
when visiting the sacred
temples and beautiful coastal
areas in faraway Pemuteran
village in Buleleng regency,
North Bali.
Located on the northwest
coast of Bali, around 55
kilometres west of Singaraja
and 30 kilometres from
Gilimanuk in Jembrana,
Pemuteran lies between a
cluster of hills and the sea.
A number of old temples
like Pura Pulaki, Pura Kerta
Kawat and Pura Melanting are
the island’s important worship
places in the North.
“This place is called
Nyegara-Gunung in Balinese
language meaning the
combination of sea and
mountain areas,” Prana
explained.
The Balinese believe that
such places have extraordinary
spiritual energy that brings
harmony to the earth, the sea
and to the people living there.
Prana said a decisive
moment in his life was when
he started to open a small-
scale hotel for tourists, who,
at that time, preferred to spend
their holidays in the southern
part of Bali like Kuta, Sanur
or Ubud.
“Nobody wanted to come
The Pemuteran Coral Protection Foundation, started by I Gusti Agung Prana and Pemuteran locals, recently received a prestigious
environmental award — the United Nations Development Programme Equator Prize.
to this remote place, quite
faraway from the glittering
tourist hubs of Kuta,” he
remembered.
But Prana was convinced
that he received a kind of
“spiritual call” to continue his
venture.
A businessman by nature,
Prana decided to do business in
Pemutaran. “I was wondering
if I could do more to help local
people and to preserve this
pristine environment by doing
something useful,” he said.
Starting from the
community, Prana encouraged
local fishermen to alter their
destructive fishing methods
with more sustainable fishing
techniques.
His fatherly approaches
worked really well. “I always
convince these fishermen to
jointly preserve our precious
marine habitat by practicing
sustainable fishing. Many of
them used hazardous cyanide
bombs to catch fish while at the
same time damaging the coral
reefs and underwater life.”
Coral reefs in Bali have been
severely damaged in recent
years due to the irresponsible
use of bombs and cyanide
by fishermen. Increasing
seawater temperatures linked
to climate change and global
Berry picking in Korea
(The Korea Herald),
ANN -- At this time every
year, Gochang in North Jeolla
Province is filled with the sweet
scent of bokbunja, a type of
black raspberry unique to the
region.
Compared to those grown
in other regions globally,
Gochang’s bokbunja is known
to have a sweeter taste and
darker colour, according to the
Jebba Food & Beverage Corp.,
a guild of bokbunja growers
there.
More than three decades
have passed since people started
cultivating the fruit and making
liquor with it in the 1980s in
the region some 290 kilometres
south of Seoul.
Aside from the sweet taste,
bokbunja’s health and beauty
benefits are gaining new
attention more recently due
to its supposed antioxidant,
anticancer and aesthetic effects.
The fruit contains four times
as much anthosyanins as in
grapes, said Lim Dong-yoon,
professor at Chosun University’s
medical school in Gwangju.
Abundantly concentrated
as pigments in berries,
anthocyanins are believed to
have potential health effects
against cancer, diabetes,
inflammation, aging and
neurological diseases, bacterial
infections and fibrocystic
diseases, studies indicate.
“Bokbunja’s strong
antioxidative power protects
cells from the attack of active
oxygen,” Lim said, adding that
the fruit could reinvigorate
libido, suppress cancer, reduce
blood sugar levels and prevent
high blood pressure.
“Bokbunja has shown that
it can be an effective natural
medicine to treat cardiovascular
diseases, cancer and diabetes.
Soon, we may establish a new
warming are also blamed for
the damage.
The Pemuteran area has
the largest shallow reefs
accessible to divers and
snorkelers because of its lack
of extremely strong currents
and waves, seen in other
coastal areas in Bali.
Together with locals, Prana
drug development maximizing
the effects,” he said.
There are some 15 bokbunja-
based foods and beverages
produced in Gochang where
about 56 companies make
liquors, beverages, snacks and
jams.
Last year, the bokbunja
industry became a 200 billion
won (US$170 million) market,
attracting 7 million tourists to
the county.
Bokbunja liquors in
particular, along with the
growing popularity of Korean
traditional alcohol drinks such
as makgeolli (rice wine), are
widely enjoyed both in Korea
and abroad.
With the domestic market
for bobunja liquors fast nearing
saturation point, Gochang has
put more emphasis on marketing
the product overseas.
Last year, Gochang exported
liquor products worth 1 billion
won to eight countries, including
the US, Canada, Germany,
Australia, Taiwan, Singapore
and Japan.
This year, the county also
inked a deal to export US$12.5
million of liquor products to
China in the next 10 years.
In November, Jebba, the
guild of growers, won orders
from two Japanese retailers ―
Ecofood System and Andamul
― to supply US$500,000 worth
of bokbunja products every
year.
Ecofooddistributesalcoholic
drinks and food materials to
some 3,000 restaurants and bars
in Japan. Andamul operates an
online shopping mall where
Japanese customers can buy
Korean products.
“The deals will give fresh
momentum to the struggling
domestic bokbunja industry,”
said Lee Kyung-soo, president
of Jebba.
Vientiane Times
launched the Pemuteran Coral
Protection Foundation, which
has been fully supported by
marine scientists Thomas
Goreau and Wolf Hilbertz.
“I asked for their assistance
in restoring the shore, the
coral reefs and also educating
fishermen and the local
community how to protect
and to preserve our marine
assets.”
Starting with the local
community, the Pemuteran Coral
Protection Foundation started
to embrace all stakeholders in
marine businesses such as dive
shops, divers, hotels, marine
scientists, environmentalists
and fishery agencies to do the
preservation of marine habitats
and coastal areas in Pemuteran
and its surroundings.
“It is a bottom-up
community-based restoration
and preservation effort,” he
said.
For more than two
decades, Prana and fellow
members of the project have
been active in educating and
developing awareness of the
importance of preserving their
own natural resources and
their main livelihoods. Over a
period of 20 years, the nearly
barren and damaged coral
areas have been returned into
a thriving reef full of coral,
fish and other marine species.
“We’ll develop more
products that can create a
synergy with the Korean Wave
to accelerate the expansion of
the market.”
Enjoy picking bokbunja
Gochang has held an annual
festival specialising in bokbunja
and watermelon, another famous
fruit in the county, in June when
bokbunja becomes ripe.
The festival venue is near
the historical temple Seonuansa,
which dates back to the Baekje
Kingdom, located in Mount
Seonun Provincial Park.
According to old sayings, a
monk at the temple is believed
to have found the health effects
of bokbunja first after he fed
an ailing child the fruit a very
long time ago. Visitors can
taste a variety of bokbunja-
based products such as liquors
and snacks at the venue and
purchase the fruit at 10 to 20
percent discounted prices.
More good news for this
year’s visitors is that they can
pick and taste bokbunja within
greenhouses. Last year, fruit
picking was impossible because
the festival was held earlier than
usual.
People who want to pick
the fruit can move to the
greenhouses from the venue
onboard a small boat offered by
the organising committee.
“Aside from the bus fares and
lodging, all the programmes are
almost free of charge. Expats in
particular will enjoy additional
benefits,” said an official from
the county.
The committee expected
that about 100,000 people will
visit the country during the
festival period, similar to the
level in 2011.
Last year 106,000 people
attended the festival, with the
economic impact estimated to
be worth 9.44 billion won.
Vientiane Times
National Day of Russia
O
n June 12 our country is
celebrating its National
Day - Day of Russia.
Thereupon it’s a good opportunity
to say a few words about present
day Russia and its foreign policy
prospects.
The period of time since last
National Day has been abundant
with very important events in
political life of the Russian
Federation - parliamentary and
presidential election campaigns
among them. In December 2011,
Russian citizens elected the new
State Duma - lower chamber of
the Federal Assembly - Russian
parliament.
In March 2012 Russia had
presidential elections. With 63.6
per cent of the vote in his favour
Mr Vladimir V. Putin won the
presidential elections with big
lead over three other candidates
who secured about 17, 8 and 6
per cent respectively.
The results of the presidential
elections were not a big surprise,
as Mr Vladimir V. Putin has been
undoubtedly the most popular
politician in Russia since the turn
of the century.
On May 7 Mr Vladimir
V. Putin was inaugurated as
new President of the Russian
Federation.
On May 21 the new Russian
Government was formed headed
by Mr Dmitry A. Medvedev, who
until recently was the President
of the Russian Federation.
Economic situation in
Russia
In 2011 Russia like many
countries in the world was faced
with some economic difficulties
prompted by the global economic
recession. It was a serious
challenge for us. Had we not
been able to respond to it, we
would have sent our economy
and social security system
tumbling, and what’s more, we
would have jeopardised Russia’s
very sovereignty and geopolitical
sustainability, thereby burying
any hope for modernisation and
development. However, Russians
did not crumble, but stood their
ground as a mature, creative and
confident nation with great inner
vitality and strength.
It’s necessary to mention our
agricultural recovery after the
severe drought of 2009 and 2010.
The support measures and the
efficient work of our agricultural
producers led to its 22 percent
growth in 2011. Russia is
becoming the world’s second
largest grain exporter.
The profits of Russian
companies went up by almost 16
percent in 2011 and tax revenues
to the consolidated federal budget
increased by 27 percent .
Russian financial bodies have
preserved the stability of our
national currency and the budget
system. Russia was the only G8
country without a budget deficit
in 2011.
As of April 1 2012, Russia’s
international reserves amounted
to more than US$500 bln.
The inflation in 2011 has
been curbed to 6.1 percent.
During the crisis Russia
spent huge funds on combating
unemployment. Now its level is
even lower than before the crisis.
On May 7, 2012 Russian
President Mr Vladimir V. Putin
signed the Executive Order on
the long-term state economic
policy, which the Government
of the Russian Federation should
implement in order to step up
the rate of stable and consistent
economic growth, increase
people’s real incomes, and make
Russia’s economy a technological
leader.
The Government has been
instructed to take measures to
achieve the following targets:
- create and modernise 25
mln highly-productive jobs by
2020;
- increase investment up to at
least 25 percent of GDP by 2015
and up to 27 percent of GDP by
2018;
- achieve a 1.3-fold increase in
the share of the high-technology
and science-intensive sectors in
the GDP relative to the 2011 level
by 2018;
- increase labor productivity
1.5-fold relative to the 2011 level
by 2018;
- increase Russia’s ranking
in the World Bank’s business
climate index from 120th place
in 2011 to 50th place in 2015 and
20th place in 2018.
With the goal of improving
conditions of doing business
it is supposed to provide a
considerable reduction of the time
needed for businesses to complete
procedures (and the costs of such
procedures) before January 1,
2015. These measures will cover
following areas of state regulation:
building, network connections,
measures of tax stimulation and
tax administration. It is proposed
to introduce the institution of
ombudsman for entrepreneurs’
rights at the federal and regional
levels by December 1, 2012.
Russia’s foreign policy
Russian foreign policy
objectives are strategic in nature
and they reflect its unique role on
the world political map as well
as its role in history and in the
development of civilisation.
The Russian Federation
is committed to follow the
constructive course to enhance
global security, renounce
confrontation, and counter such
challenges as the proliferation
of nuclear weapons, regional
conflicts and crises, terrorism and
drug trafficking.
It’s obvious that the major
principles crucial for any
sustainable civilisation include
indivisible security for all states,
the unacceptability of excessive
use of force, and the unconditional
observance of the basic standards
of international law. The neglect
of any of these principles can
only lead to the destabilisation of
international relations.
We are fully aware of the fact
that the “centre of gravity” of the
global growth is rapidly moving
towards Asia and the Pacific. The
economies of the region have been
demonstrating strong growth rate,
notwithstanding the unfavourable
international financial climate.
The region is more and more
often referred to as the driver of
global development. Here we
are witnessing the emergence of
a new polycentric world order.
Thus, it is natural that Asia-
Pacific is one of the key priorities
of Russia’s foreign policy.
Russia is intensifying
its efforts aimed at a deeper
involvement in the processes
of political and economic
cooperation and integration in
East Asia. It is a long-term policy
carried out in a consistent and
systematic manner.
On the other hand, Asia has
every reason to view Russia as
a crucial element of military
and political stability as well as
of sustainable development. We
have no ideological differences
with the nations of the region
or thorny issues in our bilateral
relations which could not be
settled through a constructive
dialogue.
We have the ability to
effectively contribute to solving
the region’s energy, transport,
technological and environmental
problems, and our partners are well
aware of that. Regional military
and political stability, collective
efforts to counter international
terrorism, emergency response
cooperation, or dialogue between
civilisations are unimaginable
without Russia. Our country is
a prominent member of regional
multilateral and trans-regional
associations.
We accord priority to the
development of economic
cooperation focusing on the
areas where we have distinct
advantages, e.g. energy sector,
including atomic energy, transport
and space exploration.
Trade and economic relations
between Russia and Asian States
are getting stronger, and bilateral
economic projects are being
successfully implemented.
We attach great importance to
our participation in the activities
of the Asia-Pacific Economic
Cooperation (APEC), a forum
which will be chaired by Russia
this year.
In September 2010, Russia
and China came forward with a
joint initiative on strengthening
security in Asia-Pacific and called
on all nations of the Asia-Pacific
region to respect sovereignty,
independence and territorial
integrity, not to interfere in the
internal affairs of each other; to
reaffirm the commitment to the
principle of equal and indivisible
security as well as the defensive
nature of their military policy; not
to use or threaten to use military
force; not to take or support any
actions aimed at overthrowing
governments or undermining the
stability of other states; to settle
differences by peaceful political
and diplomatic means based
on the principles of common
understanding and readiness to
seek compromise; to strengthen
cooperation in counteracting
unconventional security
threats; to develop bilateral and
multilateral cooperation in the
military sphere not directed
against third countries as well as
develop cross-border cooperation
and people-to-people contacts.
Russia believes that this
initiative can become a uniting
idea for the Asia-Pacific. Positive
response from many major Asia-
Pacific countries proves that these
principles can become a solid
basis for elaborating a legally
binding “code of conduct” for
the region. Probably it is time to
explore political and legal options
for their implementation.
Russia values high the ASEM
contribution to the promotion of
conceptual inter-civilisational
dialogue and development of
practical interaction between
European and Asian countries,
and is confident about the
capacity of Laos to host the
ASEM Summit.
It is extremely important for
Russia to continue the dialogue
partnership with ASEAN. The
Russia-ASEAN summit held in
Hanoi in 2010 provided a strong
impetus to its development.
At present, we actively work
to implement the agreements
reached, primarily those on
strengthening foreign policy
cooperation. We have agreed
upon approaches to the issues
of improving the security and
cooperation architecture in Asia-
Pacific. At the same time, Russia
actively supports strengthening
the central role of ASEAN in
the processes of political and
economic integration in Asia-
Pacific.
Mutual understanding on
political level is a good basis for
promoting practical cooperation,
where we now move from single
projects to implementing long
term programmes in the most
promising areas. Our country
pays much attention to enhancing
dialogue partnership withASEAN
in the area of modernisation and
high technology.
Russia has no hidden agendas
in the region. Our state does
not aim to forge covert military
alliances that would threaten
anyone’s security. On the contrary,
we look forward to intensifying
diversified multilateral economic
and political cooperation with
all the countries that show such
a willingness. Cooperation for
peace, stability and common
prosperity is the key principle
that determines the vector of
our efforts in the Asia-Pacific
dimension.
Russia-Laos relations
And now allow me to say
a few words about present-day
Russia-Laos relations. They are
based on the solid foundation of
traditional friendship and deep
mutual respect that originated in
the years of Lao heroic struggle
for its freedom and national
sovereignty and post-war
reconstruction.
Russia and Laos share similar
or very close views on most topical
Tuesday June 12, 2012
problems and developments of
the modern world.
Russia-Laos relations today
mean regular, trustful and
substantial political dialogue,
constructive interaction on the
international arena, steadily
developing cooperation in trade
and economic, cultural and
humanitarian and other spheres.
The most important event of
historic significance in modern
Russia-Laos relations was the
official visit to Russia by H.
E. Mr Choummaly Sayasone,
President of the Lao People’s
Democratic Republic, in
October 2011. He had extensive
talks with the President and the
Prime-Minister of the Russian
Federation. The Russian and Lao
leaders discussed in a sincere
and constructive atmosphere
the whole set of issues related
to traditionally amicable and
mutually beneficial relations
between our countries, stressed
their determination to promote
the strategic partnership between
Laos and Russia based on the
complementarity of national
interests. It was once again
confirmed that Russia and Laos
are committed to continuing the
interaction in the sub-regional,
regional and international arena
for the purposes of regional and
global peace and cooperation in
the interests of strengthening
the security of both States.
A set of bilateral documents
was signed during the visit.
The two leaders adopted
a Declaration on Strategic
Partnership between the Lao
PDR and Russia in the Asia-
Pacific Region which brought
our bilateral relations to a
qualitatively new height.
In recent years Russia
and Laos enjoy regular
contacts between the foreign
ministries. Russia and Laos
have a lot of topics to discuss
and a lot of things to aspire
to in their bilateral relations.
Besides bilateral agenda,
political dialogue gives a good
opportunity to keep track of
the most pressing problems
of present day regional and
international policy. What
is important - our countries’
positions on the vast majority
of key issues of the global and
Asia-Pacific agenda are close or
identical. This formula applies
to formation of the multipolar
world order, based on rule-
of-law and principle of equal
security for all, nonproliferation
of weapons of mass destruction
and disarmament, war on
terrorism and extremism,
drug trafficking and other
challenges.
Our rapport in international
affairs forms a solid base for
an effective coordination of
Russia and Laos activity in
the frameworks of multilateral
mechanisms of cooperation,
such as UN and its agencies,
Russia-ASEAN Dialogue
Partnership, ASEAN Regional
Forum on Security.
In spite of the fact that
Moscow and Vientiane are
geographically far from each
other, there is every reason
to state that our countries are
Feature 17
neighbours in their common
home named Asia-Pacific
region. This means that both
Russia and Laos are able together
and to their mutual advantage
to take profit of all those
benefits provided by processes
of regional and subregional
economic integration in Asia.
Support by the Lao PDR,
which is an active participant in
various regional organisations,
is important for Russia’s more
dynamic involvement in the Asia-
Pacific integration processes. We
highly appreciate unwavering
stand of the Lao Government
in support of Russia’s efforts to
join ASEM and EAS. It opens up
new possibilities of interaction,
including those aimed at
incorporation of Russian Far
East regions into Asia-Pacific
cooperation framework.
There is no doubt that trade
and economic cooperation is in
the priorities list of our interaction.
In spite of the fact that in 2011
the volume of bilateral trade
grew almost 6 times and reached
almost 47 mln. dollars, its pace
doesn’t satisfy both countries
and is far from their potentials. In
order to improve the situation we
intend to diversify export-import
commodity classifications.
That is why we attach
importance to the enhancement of
efficiency of the Joint Russian-Lao
Intergovernmental Commission
on Trade, Economic, Scientific
and Technical Cooperation, and
consider it a good opportunity to
conduct a complex inventory of
state of bilateral relations, to find
key directions for their further
advancement.
Cooperation in the field of
education occupies a special
place in Russia-Laos relations.
We are proud of the fact that
many graduates from Soviet
and Russian universities hold
important positions in the upper
echelon and other levels of the
governmental authorities of the
Lao PDR, and play important
role in the life of the country.
As Russia and Laos have
recently signed the Agreement on
the Establishment and Operation
of the Information and Cultural
Centres, we are on the verge of
opening Russian Scientific and
Cultural Centre in Vientiane. We
hope it will not only become a
popular venue for various cultural,
educational and other functions,
but will further develop Russia-
Laos cooperation in different
spheres.
In conclusion I would
like to stress, that more than
semicentennial history of
Russia-Laos relations, which
can be characterised by mutual
amicability and trust, has created
a solid foundation, necessary for
development of a new quality
form of interaction between
Russia and Laos - strategic
partnership. We are convinced
that pattern of relations will
answer core interests of our
peoples, the task of strengthening
peace, security and stability in
Asia-Pacific.
Oleg V. Kabanov
Ambassador of the Russian
Federation to the Lao PDR.
18 Tuesday June 12, 2012
Art & Entertainment
How to find comic relief
(The Nation), ANN --
Germany isn’t the first country
that springs to mind when
you think of great sources of
humour - or comic strips - but
the world is full of surprises,
so get ready to laugh - or at
least a giggle - at the exhibition
“Comics, Manga & Co”. It’s at
the Bangkok Art and Culture
Centre all this month, helping
commemorate 150 years of
Thai-German relations.
You won’t find extreme
Punch magazine-style pillorying
of politicians among the German
illustrations - they’re apparently
too reserved for that - but fans
of Japanese manga will be
interested in what’s on offer.
Comic artist Line Hoven was
at the show’s opening, saying
Japan’s cartoons grabbed the
attention of young illustrators
there in the 1990s, producing
two successive generations
of German mangaka, as the
artists are known in Japan.
They don’t translate Japanese
comic books directly, though,
and borrow only fitfully from
the oriental style to illustrate
their own stories. Most of the
artwork on display is “German”
in its manner of depiction
and storytelling, culled from
magazines and newspapers and
poking fun at current events and
people in the news, mainly in
Germany.
The art comes from 13
artists representing the two
generations that have created
a new look to the genre in
Germany. The avant-garde art
of northern Europe paved the
way for an independent culture
of German comics, featuring
new aesthetic and narrative
techniques.
Some of the leaders
in the field - like Anke
Feuchtenberger, Henning
Wagenbreth and Martin tom
Dieck - are now professors at
art and design schools, urging
young aspirants to experiment
with different modes. “These
people are increasingly being
seen overseas not as comic
artists but artists,” says Hoven.
German comic art owes
much to Switzerland’s Rodolphe
Topffer, whose sequential
picture stories in the 1830s
fascinated Goethe and many
others. One of the form’s true
pioneers, Topffer’s “literature
in prints” and “drawn novels”
were encouraged by Goethe
and gave rise to pictorial
broadsheets, the satirical weekly
magazines Kladderadatsch and
Simplicissimus - and ultimately
the modern comic strip.
Further influence was
gleaned subsequently from
French and American comics,
continuing into the 1990s,
but artists in the former East
Germany added their own
aesthetic qualities. While
utilising traditional graphic
and printing techniques, they
incorporated street art and even
computer graphics.
The Bangkok exhibition
includes autobiographical, surr-
ealist, historical and fantastical
narratives, both factual reportage
and literary adaptations, all
created on a wide variety of
surfaces, from computer screens
to scratchboards.
The subject matter is often
of only remote interest here but
it’s all easy enough to decipher.
One depicts a West German
native wondering if he could
cross to the other side disguised
as an exiled East German singer,
or as a former East German
head of state - or as a banana.
It’s that kind of fun. Another
cartoon has a cat and dog
vacationing on the moon, only
to realise they’re not alone. In
the next panel a giant worm
pops out of a hole to greet them.
There’s even a strip about how
boring it is to live with your
mother.
You can see the illustrated
tale of a German journalist who
risked doubling as a spy for
Stalin and as an employee of
the German embassy in Tokyo.
It’s confusing, but it’s a true
story.
Vientiane Times
What’s On
Vientiane
- Action with Lao Children Library: Open Mon to Fri
9am to 6pm and Sat 9am to 3pm. Come in and read
and borrow Lao, Japanese, Thai and English books.
Located in Ban Saphangmor, Xaysettha district.
- Permanent UXO exhibition and the provision of
artificial limbs for victims. COPE Visitor Centre,
Khouvieng Road, opposite Green Park Hotel. Every
day: 9am-6pm.
- Chess Club meets at 1pm every Sunday at City Inn
on Pangkham Road, Vientiane.
Contact: Gabriel_smit@hotmail.com
- Women’s International Group. For activities and
times email wiglaosmembership@gmail.com
- Toastmasters Club meets every Sun. from
4-6pm at Khopchaideu restaurant (3F). Everyone is
welcome.
- Meditation at Vat Sokpaluang every Saturday,
4-5.30pm.
- English Language Church Service every Sunday
10am at the ARDA Language Centre (near the
Mercure, formerly Novotel). Call (021) 261441, or visit
http://www.the-chs.org
Luang Prabang at 6.30 pm on Thursdays for
training, please contact the
Big Brother Mouse helps LE President at president_
young people practise their laoelephants@laopdr.com
English at free drop-in sessions, for details and other meeting
9-11am and 5-7pm, open every areas.
day. Just come to our office at Buffalos Rugby - men’s
9am or 5pm in Ban Vat Nong, rugby training Tuesday
around the corner from 3 Nagas evenings 6 - 7:30pm. All
Hotel. www.bigbrothermouse. welcome. Sunday morning
com. social touch rugby - male,
Traditional Arts and female all ages welcome.
Ethnology Centre. Open 9am- Free. For either, contact
6pm, Tues-Sun. John (020 77140176), Bob
www.taeclaos.org (020 55510443) and Tom (020
Ock Pop Tok 2281111) for more information.
Living Crafts Centre open daily Wild Hogs Rugby training
for free guided tour. Natural at the Polytechnic pitch
dyes, weaving and batik in Phonpapao village,
drawing classes daily. 9am- Sisattanak, at 8pm on Tues.
and Thurs. Optional Saturday
5pm. Free transfer from Ock
touch session at That Luang
Pop Tok shops in town to the
weaving centre on the Mekong. at 5:30pm, Sunday fitness at

One with nature Call 071 212597

NAMI ISLAND (Korea
Herald) -- The fresh scent
of pine trees and strains of
lighthearted music greeted
guests of Rainbow Island
Music and Camping as soon
as they began walking through
the trees on Nami Island to
reach the festival grounds.
It seemed as though nature
and music were intricately
woven together at the event,
with concert-goers enjoying
their favourite bands from
among the trees.
They may have come
to catch the likes of Jason
Mraz, Busker Busker, Lee
Seung-hwan and Christina
Perri, but it was obvious that
Nami Island itself took centre
stage, providing a refreshing
and relaxed backdrop for the
festival.
The setting was unique.
Instead of the wide open
spaces that are the norm for
outdoor music festivals, the
various stages and eating
zones were interspersed in the
few clearings in the forest that
covers Nami Island, giving
the festival a relaxed and
mellow atmosphere. Some
concertgoers said they felt
like modern-day hippies at
a modern-day Woodstock as
they sat on picnic mats below
the trees and swayed to the
music.
Korean indie band Busker
Busker had the entire clearing
jumping and dancing during
their set at the Island Stage
on Saturday. They played
crowd favourites such as
“Cherry Blossom Ending,”
and their bubbly songs made
the summer evening feel like
a spring day.
But the main event was
undoubtedly American singer-
songwriter Jason Mraz on
the Rainbow Stage Saturday
night.
Mraz took to the stage
smiling and thanking the
Korean audience for inviting
him. He donned a hat and a
T-shirt that said “pyeonghwa”
or peace, much to the delight
of his cheering fans.
Love was the clear theme
of the night as Mraz played
songs from his latest album,
“Love is a Four Letter Word,”
and some of his old favorites
such as “Lucky” and “You and
I.” The audience sang along,
alternating between dancing
and swaying to the music.
Continuing with the love
theme, Mraz took time between
songs to remind his fans that
they should love nature as
well. He lauded Nami Island
for using recycled products
in many of its facilities and
the reforestation project that
made the island the attraction
it is today.
“Lovin’ the land. Just like
lovin’ your other hand. Gotta
love your whole self,” he said,
reminding fans to love nature
as they love themselves,
a common theme of the
festival.
The crowd jumps in time with the music at Rainbow Island Music
and Camping on Nami Island on Saturday.
--Photo Rainbow Island Music and Camping
Carys Jones, an expat
from the UK, said she felt the
island was a great place for
the festival.
“It was a great setting and
atmosphere,” she said after
Saturday night’s festivities
ended. “Nami is beautiful.
Jason Mraz put on a good
show, although his music
really isn’t my thing.”
Despite its beauty, the
forest setting worked against
the festival in some ways.
Because of the numerous
trees, the area around the
Rainbow Stage, the festival’s
main stage, was almost too
small for the large crowd.
Since the viewing area was
small, it filled quickly, making
it difficult to move around
to find a better or more
comfortable spot. To remedy
the situation, the organisers
set up large screens at the back
of the clearing for those who
couldn’t maneuver their way
closer to the stage.
Logistics was another
problem for the festival.
On Saturday, even before
headliner Jason Mraz’s set
had even finished, about 200
people were already lined up
for taxis. There were no shuttle
or local buses running from the
ferry dock to the nearby train
station or bus terminal. Many
were forced to walk 30 to 40
minutes to the closest public
transportation, meaning that
if you stayed until the end of
the show, there was no way to
make it out of the city before
the last bus.
The best scenario for
attending all the performances
at Rainbow Island Music and
Camping is to either attend
both days and camp on the
island or bring a car.
The Rainbow Island Music
and Camping festival ran June
9 and 10, staging 20 bands
or groups each day between
the three stages. This was the
festival’s second year.
Royal Palace National
Museum. Open 8.30-11.30am
and 1.30-4.30pm from
Wednesday to Monday.
UXO Visitor Centre. Open
Mon-Fri 8.30am-12 and
2-5pm. Right turn just before
President’s Monument on the
Northern Rd.
Museums
Lao National Museum
on Samsenthai Road opposite
National Culture Hall. Open
Mon-Fri during office hours
and on weekends from 9am to
4pm.
Horphakeo Museum
on Setthathirat Road
opposite Vat Sisaket. Open
Mon-Sun during office hours.
Sports
ANZ Vientiane Lions
Women’s Rugby Club –
Wednesday night fitness
sessions from 7:30 at VIS. Pitch
trainings Thursday nights from
19:30 and Sunday from 16:00
at Polytechnic Pitch in Ban
Phonphapao. Contact Vieng
on 020 54234111 or Maggie
on 020 78110019 for more
information.
Champa Ban Youth Rugby –
Rugby activities with a focus
on fun, games and healthy
living message. Free and open
to all. Visit www.laorugby.com
or contact Noui 020 54905090
or Maggie on 020 78110019 for
more information.
Lao Elephants Australian
Rules Football Club -Meet
That Luang at 5:30pm. Call
020 77615677
or Chris 020 77834385.
Lao Mahout Netball team
trains every Tues. at 6pm
at Vientiane International
School. For more information
contact Saeng on 020
77442689.
Lions Women’s Rugby from
7.30pm on Tues and Thurs at
the Polytechnic pitch. Contact
Noui on 020 4905090 or
Maggie on 020 54656153.
Youth Community Rugby
Sessions
Training for U15 Boys and
U17 Girls at the Polytechnic
pitch in Phonpapao village,
Sisattanak, at 7:30pm on
Wed. Training for children of
all ages at 9am on Sunday.
Aqua-fitness Fri 10-11am;
Sat 11-12. Please contact
Sarah at 020 54147069 or
nsteam @live.fr
Body Language at Vientiane
Accueil, Khouvieng Rd.
Class includes stretching and
respiratory exercises with
an oriental touch. Tues. and
Thurs. from 5.30-6.30pm.
Contact 020 5612107.
Aerobics at Sokpalouang
swimming pool, Sisattanak
district. Open every day from
6am-8pm.
Vientiane Hash House Harriers
Meet at Nam Phu Fountain
every Saturday for travel to
out-of-town runs. Mixed Hash,
register at 3.45pm and depart
4pm. Monday,VH3, family
Hash. 3 runs - short, medium
and long. Meet at 5pm at
advertised venue. Phones:
223867, 217493,
mobile 020 5511293, 5514669.
Vientiane Times Tuesday June 12, 2012 Sports 19

Socceroos concede favourite Rain halts Djokovic-Nadal

tag to Japan in Group B final at French Open
BRISBANE, Australia (AP)
-- It wasn’t even an attempt
at gamesmanship when Lucas
Neill declared Japan the
favorite for the biggest clash so
far in the latest round of Asian
qualifying for the 2014 World
Cup.
The Japanese squad is
fresher, faster and younger and
has maximum points from its
first two matches. They even
arrived in Brisbane before
Australia — which took a
point from a draw at Oman
on Friday — and had a much
shorter flight than the hosts.
“I think Japan is the favorite
for this game. They have had a
better preparation — two home
games — now they come here
with confidence,” Australia
skipper Neill told a news
conference on a cool and wet
winter Monday in Brisbane.
“They came here earlier than
we’ve come here, to play at
our home.”
“But by no means do we see
that as a bad thing — We like
the underdogs tag. We know
we’re in for a very tough game.
It’s going to be a fantastic game
tomorrow night, and one that
we believe we can win.”
With the likes of Manchester
United-bound Shinji Kagawa
and CSKA Moscow midfielder
Keisuke Honda anchoring the
team, Japan thrashed Jordan
6-0 on Friday after opening
with a 3-0 win over Oman.
Even Australia coach
Holger Osieck had to
concede that his counterpart
Alberto Zaccheroni could
be assembling a squad that
evolves into Japan’s best ever.
“The new generation is
a free generation, an open-
minded generation. They are
not afraid anymore,” said
Osieck, who has coached
in Japan and has a long
association with the country.
“Their different mindset
reflects in the performance on
the field. They are a different
generation of players playing
in the top teams in Europe and
I think that is the significant
difference.
“It’s a great potential in this
team, I have to admit. I mean,
look at the quality.”
In other Asian qualifiers
Tuesday, 2007 Asian Cup
winner Iraq takes on Oman on
neutral turf at Doha in Group
B, while South Korea hosts
Lebanon and Iran is at home to
Uzbekistan in Group A.
Australia and Japan have
a regional rivalry that has
been intensifying since the
Socceroos came back with
three late goals — including a
pair to Everton midfielder Tim
Cahill — to win their opening
match 3-1 at the 2006 World
Cup. But while Australia will
still be relying on the same
stars on the sixth anniversary of
that match, the Japanese have
been developing more depth
and players with experience in
Europe.
The Japanese have
overhauled Australia in the
FIFA world rankings and are
the top team in Asia.
“Australia lost to Japan
in the Asian Cup. That’s why
they’re No. 1 in Asia in my
mind, because they beat us in
a tournament that counted,”
Neill said. “But in our team,
we don’t believe we’re second
best. We’re playing against a
team that we have lost to in a
cup final, but now we know
they’re a strong team we want
to beat to get to the World
Cup.”
A win, he said, would be
part of the healing process for
the Australians, who lost last
year’s Asian Cup final 1-0 when
substitute striker Tadanari Lee
slammed in a left-foot volley
in extra time for Japan. The
ledger stands at six wins apiece
and six draws in all meetings
between Australia and Japan.
Cahill and Japan-based
Josh Kennedy didn’t get any
game time against Oman but,
while Osieck said he hasn’t
selected his starting lineup, at
least one of them is expected to
go on against Japan to give the
Socceroos some aerial threats.
Kagawa said immediately
after the win over Jordan that
the away matches would be a
much tougher challenge for
Japan, a point which Japan
captain Makoto Hasebe
emphasised after the squad
arrived in Brisbane.
“This game will be a
completely different animal to
the first two games,” Hasebe
was quoted as saying in the
Japanese media. “We’re
definitely on a roll with the
two wins, but we need to forget
about it and regroup for the
next one.
“Complacency comes
from the mind so we can’t let
up mentally. We need to brace
ourselves for something totally
different.”
PARIS (AP) -- For the first
two sets, Rafael Nadal looked
like the King of the Clay,
alternately bullying Novak
Djokovic, then frustrating him,
as Djokovic tried to solve the
nearly unsolvable riddle of
Nadal at Roland Garros.
The longer a steady drizzle
soaked the court, however, the
better Djokovic looked — and
in addition to becoming the first
man to win four straight major
titles in 43 years, it seemed as
if he might be the first to win
on a new Grand Slam surface:
red mud.
Not to be.
Officials stepped in and
halted play at Sunday’s
waterlogged French Open final
with Nadal, in search of his
record seventh Roland Garros
title, clinging to a 6-4, 6-2,
2-6, 1-2 lead. If the weather
cooperates, the final act will be
Monday, with Djokovic serving
the same tennis balls that Nadal
was complaining were too
saturated in the minutes before
play was halted.
One of these men will make
history, but regardless, this
final already has: It will be the
first French Open not to end on
Sunday since 1973, when Ilie
Nastase wrapped up his title on
a Tuesday.
Answering most of the
questions after play stopped
were the Roland Garros
tournament director and
referee, who stuck by a 3 p.m.
starting time — missing out on
hours of dry weather earlier in
the day — then, in some eyes,
let play go on too long, as the
red clay got saturated and slabs
of caked clay chunked up on
the court and adhered to the
grooves in the players’ shoes.
Toni Nadal, Rafael’s uncle
and coach, said he thought
action should have been
suspended earlier, “because the
court was too wet.”
Tournament referee
Novak Djokovic of Serbia returns in the mens final match against
Rafael Nadal of Spain at the French Open tennis tournament in
Roland Garros stadium in Paris on Sunday.
Stefan Fransson justified his
decision to keep playing, while
tournament director Gilbert
Ysern defended the choice —
made with TV considerations
very much in mind — to stick
with the starting time.
“You can’t say that
everybody knew for sure at
what time it was going to rain
today,” Ysern said. “I did not
know, and if anybody is able to
tell (me) for sure at what time
it’s going to rain the next day,
I’m willing to hire him.”
This handwringing put a
damper on one of the most
important and anticipated finals
in some time: Nadal trying to
pass Bjorn Borg as the all-time
record-holder for French Open
titles, and Djokovic trying to
become the first player since
Rod Laver to win four straight
Grand Slam tournaments.
Until Nadal held serve to
pull within 2-1 in the fourth
set, he had lost a mindboggling
eight straight games to
Djokovic, who had looked
every bit as helpless at the
start of the match, when the
courts were still dry and Nadal
was sliding into shots, hitting
his heavy topspin without a
problem. Looking helplessly
up at his guest box, Djokovic
--Photo AP
alternated between Plan A: Try
to stand in and slug it out with
Nadal, and Plan B: Go big and
try to end points early. Neither
worked and he finally found
Plan C: Play better.
But before that, the
frustration spilled over. He
spiked one racket to the ground
— a move that brought boos
and whistles. Then, after losing
serve to fall behind 4-3 in the
second set, he bashed another
stick into his bench, putting a big
hole in the bottom and sending a
ballkid out to the middle of the
court to pick up the debris.
Shortly after that, a rain
delay of about 35 minutes
ensued. Tournament officials
replaced the bench. Djokovic
came out with clean socks
and what seemed like a new
attitude. After dropping three
quick games, he ran off eight
straight, including the first
set he’s ever won off Nadal
at Roland Garros and the first
Nadal has dropped during the
2012 tournament.
After play was halted
for the second time, Nadal
“focused,” according to Uncle
Toni — not getting wrapped
up in the Spain-Italy soccer
match that was playing on TVs
around the grounds.

Supporters of the Japanese national team cheer during their World Cup Asia qualifying soccer match
against Jordan at Saitama Stadium in Saitama, near Tokyo on June 8. --Photo AP

Philippines stunned by boxing hero’s loss

MANILA, Philippines (AP)
-- Filipinos expressed shock
and some wept Sunday over
Manny Pacquiao’s defeat
in a Las Vegas bout with
undefeated American boxer
Timothy Bradley.
Pacquiao’s loss by split
decision at the MGM Grand
arena ended his impressive
seven-year unbeaten run that
turned him into a wealthy
sporting superstar and a
national hero in impoverished
Philippines.
Large numbers of Filipinos
booed and yelled “Manny was
cheated” after watching the
bout on large TVs erected in
public parks and gymnasiums
throughout the Philippines.
Some broke into tears in
disbelief.
Government volunteer
librarian Gina Tubo says she
wept because she’d thought
Pacquiao won after landing
more punches. She said
she felt disoriented because
she had become too used to
Pacquiao ending triumphant
in more than a dozen fights.
“He’s a national and a
world hero,” Tubo told The
Associated Press by telephone
from suburban Marikina city in
the Philippine capital, her voice
cracking. “He inspires people
and entertains them away from
their troubles so this is really
shocking to all of us.”
Sen. Jinggoy Estrada,
who watched the bout in Las
Vegas, hoped Pacquiao would
win a rematch. “For me, what
happened here in Vegas was
highway robbery,” he told
Philippine radio network
DZBB by telephone.
The Philippine government
told Pacquiao his proud
country would stand by him in
future fights.
The Philippine military
showed the bout as a morale-
booster to thousands of soldiers.
It congratulated Bradley but
praised Pacquiao for his grit,
adding “Manny will remain and
will always be our champion.”
20
Tuesday June 12, 2012
Sport
Czechs still haunted by
Euro 2004 Greece defeat
Czech Republic’s players during the Euro 2012 Group A soccer
match between Russia and Czech Republic, in Poland last Friday.
--Photo AP
WROCLAW, Poland (AP)
-- Eight year later, the Czech
Republic is still haunted by the
Silver Goal scored by Greece in
the 2004 semifinals.
Czech Republic captain
Tomas Rosicky, one of three
players at this year’s European
Championship who was in
the 2004 squad, has called it
the most bitter moment of his
international career.
“It was the most painful loss
for me with the national team,”
said Rosicky, who has made 86
international appearances since
2000. “We had no chance to
come back.”
In 2004, the eventual
champion Greeks scored
seconds from the end of the
first 15 minutes of extra time,
sending the team through to the
final and forcing the Czechs to
head home.
After losing to Russia 4-1
on Friday at Euro 2012, the
Czechs need a win over Greece
on Tuesday at the Municipal
Stadium in Wroclaw to have
a chance of advancing from
Group A.
“We have no other option
than to beat Greece,” said
Czech Republic goalkeeper Petr
Cech, another veteran of the
2004 team. That may not be an
easy task. The 2004 European
champions, who drew 1-1 with
Poland in their opener, remain
Vientiane Times
reliant on a solid defence,
conceding only five goals in
qualifying and not a single one
in the previous three goalless
draws in regulation against the
Czech Republic.
Goalkeeper Michalis Sifakis
indicated that Greece would go
on the attack in its next game
as it bids for a place in the
quarterfinals.
“We’ve studied our
opponents,” Sifakis said. “We
look at the opener as losing two
points as much as earning one.
We are now chasing a win on
Tuesday.”
Neither team is considered
to be a title contender in Poland
and Ukraine.
The Czechs are rebuilding
after the retirement of several
long-serving internationals,
including all-time leading
scorer Jan Koller, Pavel Nedved
and Karel Poborsky. And Czech
Republic coach Michal Bilek
has little time to fix his porous
back line after Russia’s mobile
forwards tore it apart.
But at least, Bilek has two
of his major stars, striker Milan
Baros and Rosicky, fit and ready
after recovering from injuries.
The Greeks, already missing
two key defenders, were hit by
another setback on Sunday
when Giorgos Fotakis pulled
out of training with a right thigh
injury.
Sokratis Papastathopoulos
is suspended and Avraam
Papadopoulos is out for the rest
of the tournament with a left
knee injury.

Vientiane Times
Vientiane Times
Read more news at www.vientianetimes.org.la
Inside
FTA on the way down under
CHINA (China Daily) -- The
China-Australia free trade
agreement is expected to be
signed this year, which will
create benefits for both countries,
said Kevin Rudd, a member of
Australia’s parliament.
“(What) I would like to
do is see the deal signed this
year, the 40th anniversary of
the China-Australia diplomatic
relationship,” said Rudd,
calling it a “good way to have a
birthday party”.
Rudd, who is also a former
prime minister of Australia,
spoke with China Daily on
the sidelines of the 2012
APEC China CEO Forum on
Thursday.
Bilateral talks on an FTA
began in May 2005. This
March, the 18th round of talks
was held in Australia.
“It’s too long, and both sides
have recognised that,” said
Rudd. “I believe that because
China is the second-largest
economy in the world, and the
largest in Asia, and Australia is
the fourth-largest in Asia, we
should overcome the relatively
minor differences.”
He added: “What we will
produce as a result will be bigger
than anything we imagine.”
Estimates from Australia are
that a bilateral FTA would help
Boxes of produce being loaded onto a truck at a farm near Werribee, Australia.
Business
Korean banks
woo foreign
customers
page B2
generate additional revenues
of A$146 billion (US$145.5
billion) for the country in the
next two decades.
“China’s concern is about
Australia’s agriculture, and
China thinks we are a big
agriculture country”, and the
opening of the market would
harm Chinese interests, “but
frankly, I don’t believe the
argument is accurate”, said
Rudd. He said that “Australian
agriculture exports, by Chinese
domestic standards, are quite
small, and therefore, the ability
for Australian agriculture to
disrupt the Chinese market is
very, very limited”.
The benefit is the “FTA
will liberalise the investment
relationship between China and
Australia, and (mean a) much
larger flow of investment and
capital from China to Australia
as well”.
Early this year, Premier
Wen Jiabao said in the annual
government work report that
China will further pursue FTA
negotiations with countries
including Australia.
China is Australia”s largest
commodity trade partner, and
Australia is China”s eighth-
largest trade partner.
Australia is also China’s
single largest fund and investment
destination worldwide.
“If we have a free trade
agreement, I believe we can take
a $100-billion plus relationship
and turn it into something bigger
again,” said Rudd. “It’s good
for China, and good for us, and
more jobs for either side.”
China is facing the risk of
a further economic slowdown,
which many fear will hurt the
economy of Australia, also
the largest supplier of iron ore
for China. Rudd disagreed.
“Our assumption is that the
Chinese economy still grows
at a rate of as high as 7.5
percent, or probably 8 percent,
and it is the case that demand
for commodities will still be
significant,” he said.
On the other hand, the
resources sector is not a
“dominant” sector in Australia’s
economy, representing less than
9 percent of the economy.
“From China’s point of view,
they often look at Australia,
I think they would say: “a big
quarry, a big mine,” he said.
But “from our point of view,
yes, mining is important”, but
the “main drivers of growth in
Australia” are sectors including
manufacturing and services.
“Through free trade with
China we grow all these
sectors.”
Bangkok Bank to finance
Thai businesses in Laos
Times Reporters
Bangkok Bank, a major Thai
commercial bank, has expressed
confidence in investing in Laos,
saying the country’s economy
is experiencing continuous
rapid growth.
The bank yesterday led 82
Thai small and medium size
enterprises from its Bualuang
Club to explore business and
investment opportunities in
Vientiane this week, as part
of efforts to expand financial
services in Laos.
According to a press
release from the bank, the
Bualuang Club comprises
small and medium enterprise
owners, who have received
training from the bank on how
to run a professional business.
The bank will provide financial
support to them if they can find
investment opportunities in
Laos.
The bank hopes it
will be able to expand its
financial services in Laos if
club members can identify
investment opportunities and
decide to set up a business
here.
Speaking at the opening
ceremony of the Seminar
on Trade and Investment
Opportunities in Laos, Bangkok
Bank’s Board of Executive
China banks maintain, raise deposit rates
after central bank announcement
BEIJING (Xinhua) -- Many of
China’s banks have maintained
or raised their deposit rates after
the central bank announced
last week that it would allow
the country’s banks to set
competitive deposit and lending
rates.
The People’s Bank of China
said on Thursday that lenders
would have the flexibility to
FDI from
Koreans falls 51
percent
page B3
Mr Kosit Panpiemras.
Directors Chairman, Mr Kosit
Panpiemras, said Thai business
operators should see greater
business and investment
opportunities in Laos. Laos
and Thailand not only share
a border but also a culture,
making communication easier.
He also said Laos would
become the region’s future
logistics hub because the
country has roads connecting
to Vietnam and China, which
are both significant emerging
economies.
Thai ambassador to Laos
Mr Vitavas Srivihok said Thais
should consider investment
in the tourism and services
sectors, adding that many roads
connecting to Vietnam and
set deposit rates as high as 110
percent of the benchmark rate
and offer rates on new loans as
little as 80 percent of official
policy rates.
The People’s Bank of China
also cut the benchmark one-year
interest rates by 25 basis points
on Friday to 3.25 percent in a
bid to spur growth in the world’s
second-largest economy.
But despite the interest rate
cut, China’s five state-owned
banks have maintained their
one-year deposit rates at 3.5
percent. Some commercial
lenders, including China
Minsheng Banking Corp. and
China Merchants Bank, set their
rates at 3.25 percent on Friday,
but raised them to 3.5 percent
Exchange rates as of June 11, 2012
Banque pour le Commerce Exterieur Lao
Foreign Currencies
US Dollar 50-100
Thai Baht
Euro 50-500
21
Tuesday June 12, 2012
Spain rescue
sends world stocks
surging
page B4
China are still without petrol
stations and restaurants.
He also said the Lao
government sought to promote
foreign investment as part
of efforts to boost economic
growth and poverty reduction,
adding that investors who set
up business in remote areas
would get higher investment
incentives than in urban
areas.
Mr Vitavas also said that
Thai business operators should
study Lao laws and culture
before deciding to invest here,
adding that political stability
is one of the key investment
attractions.
He said Thai business
operators should observe Lao
culture so that they would
act respectfully while doing
business here.
After attending the seminar,
the Thai group will meet with
Lao business counterparts
to discuss opportunities for
business cooperation and joint
investment.
Bangkok Bank expressed
confidence that Laos will be
able to welcome more Thai
businesspeople. The bank also
expressed optimism that Thai
businesses would benefit from
investment in Laos once the
Asean Economic Community
comes into effect in 2015.
one day later. Meanwhile, some
small lenders and city banks,
such as the Bank of Nanjing
and Bank of Ningbo, have set
their rates at 3.575 percent, the
top-end of the floating range of
the benchmark deposit rate.
“Fears of deposit losses
prompted small banks to set
interest rates at high levels, as
people prefer depositing money
in larger lenders,” said Guo
Tianyong, professor from the
Central University of Finance
and Economics.
“With the deepening of the
interest rate liberalisation, we’ll
see more differentiated interest
rates and more rates adjustments
in the country’s banking market
in the future,” Guo said.
Buying Selling
7,996 8,036
253.73 253.70
10,087 10,138
222
B Tuesday June 12, 2012 Vientiane Times

Global markets rev up but caution is needed

Monday’s global markets began a “bull ride” especially in Asia, at the opening bell yesterday.
News over the weekend was much better than the previous week, so traders yesterday went
risk on.
Indexes rose when nerves settled following the EU confirmation over the weekend a €100B
(US$125B) package for Spain.
That was enough for FX traders to step in and beef up the €uro currency and for markets to
respond.
Investors should remain cautious about this week’s good start, as a big drop s forecasted, as
traders put their wallets back in their pockets this Friday.
A fall is more than a 50 50 proposition with the Greek elections due on Sunday
Trying to call a spade a spade, Spain’s finance ministry insisted, the advance approved by the
EU finance ministers on the weekend, is not a bailout. But there’s more trouble ahead as Cyprus
is also requesting funds. Watch the EU space hot up as Germany opposes an introduction for a
new Euro Bond.
Germany posted a trade surplus of €16.1B while France lost out with a -€5.8B.
ASEAN MARKETS: Malaysia gained +0.65pct intraday yesterday, Ha Noi was up +0.99pct,
Jakarta plus +0.66pct, the Philippines +1.34pct gained, Singapore up +1.58pct and the Thai A bank clerk at Korea Exchange Bank’s Global Desk attends to a foreign customer in Seoul.
SET the biggest gainer at +1.78pct.the Laos index fell The only exchange out of favour was
Cambodia’s new CSX exchange recording 3 successive daily 5 point loses. PPWSA Water
Company yesterday lost 50 riel to sit near 6,850 riel very near its April IPO listing. The CSX has
lost 24.4pct since the April opening plunging to a new YTD low of 736.56 points. Korean banks woo
• The cyclic nature of markets (rises and falls) says they have made no gains this year, but
offer no real surprises at the state of the market at the moment. The market hiccups which
resemble a new learner driver changing gears, will level, out if not start to rise but not much
foreign customers
until late October this year. Normally there is some compound market growth attached on a KOREA (The Korea Herald) -- remit money to their home communication, culture and
year by year basis, but not so for 2012. As the number of expats living countries. The service is leisure.
• Stocks commodities oil and gold have retraced back to 4th October 2011 lows, so its natural in Korea exceeds 1.4 million, available for remittance to 11 The bank, for example,
they will gain from here to November. That’s the cyclic nature of the markets with the wise local banks have entered into countries including Vietnam took a group of its VIP expat
saying being spot on this year; “sell in May”. competition to attract more and Philippines. customers last month on a
• Key indicators are if the S&P500 is above the physiological 1300 points things are not that foreign customers. Hana Bank started to sell Demilitarized Zone Tour to
bad. Woori Bank recently added Hana 168 Installation Savings Imjingak Pavilion in Paju,
• Last week the index fell below that for 1 ½ sessions. Fridays return to 1325 was a resounding seven more languages - Chinese, from June 1, a savings product Gyeonggi Province. The bank
daily recovery. European markets may have lost a few points Friday but that should be Vietnamese, Mongolian, for foreigners living in Korea. also signed a memorandum of
erased in the early part of the week until markets turn as a caution to the outcome of the Indonesian, Nepalese, Sinhala Even if the depositor decides to understanding with the Cultural
Greek elections. and Bengali - to slips used in the withdraw money from savings Corps of Korean Buddhism
• Australian Markets were closed for a holiday, but that didn’t retard the AUD which hit banks for transactions. Formerly, before the due date and send to give its VIP customers
parity. it only provided services in it abroad, a special interest, opportunities to do temple
• Qantas shares once at AU$5.00 have slumped -40pct over the past 6 sessions to AU$0.97c Korean and English. which could reach 3.6 percent at stays.
and remain on our avoid list. QAN’s management seems determined to shoot itself in the Shinhan Bank also said it maximum, will be offered. Industrial Bank of Korea
foot. will commence Mongolian The bank is also holding gives out prepaid phones to
• Australia’s mining boom has seen Capital Equipment good YTD rise a staggering 24pct. and Russian language services a promotional event until the those who registered for check
• BHP AU$31.91 and Rio AU$55.59 look very enticing value both are set for a good Q4. at ATMs within this month. end of this year that offers gifts cards exclusively offered to
• China data showed May imports 12.7pct with export data at 15.3pct both rose sharper than Before, it only provided and discounts on exchange foreign workers aged over 20.
expected and all the data is softer but not dire, thereby easing the call for a stimulus. That services in six languages and remittance commissions As most expats living in
news will assist the AUD and the CAD to rise. Industrial production ht 9.6pct a positive including English. Kookmin for those who sign up for the Korea are workers who have
factor for commodities currencies. Bank has plans to run call product. difficulties visiting banks
• Currencies: AUD intraday near US$0.9980, the CHF the €uro shrugged of the EU factor centers for foreigners. Some banks have taken a on weekdays, several banks
rising from a 23 month low of US$1.2288 to US$1.2666. The pound regained its composure Some banks offer discounts step further to non-financial are now open on weekends.
at US$1.5568. The ¥en was at U103.21 was battling 79.40 yesterday. in charges. Nonghyup started services. Woori Bank opens up shop
• Oil and stocks rose on announcement of €100B Spanish bailout. But now Spain wants 125B last month to give a discount of Korea Exchange Bank, on weekends for foreigners
to recapitalize its banks. 45 percent maximum on bank where over 30 percent of in Hyehwa-dong and
• Palm oil which reached US$3,400 earlier this year has fallen to just US$2,950. fees when foreign workers all expats (about 420,000) Gwangheui-dong, central
• Copper went backwards 2.6pct to US$7235 tn a point last reached Sept’-27th and Dec’ -19 use ATMs, as well as benefits in South Korea keep an Seoul, and Euijeongbu city in
last year. Copper had a low of US$6,650 / tn on 20th Oct 2011 but with good data out of when exchanging currency. account, recently began an Gyeonggi Province. Shinhan
China over the weekend it should edge back towards US$8,000, but it will be a slow tedious Kookmin Bank also helps “omega” service, an exclusive Bank and Kookmin Bank also
process from now until November. customers save exchange service for foreigners. It run weekend hours at banks
• BEIJING--China's imports of copper, copper alloy and semi finished products in May rose commissions by directly provides foreigners with help in Wongok-dong in Ansan,
64.8% on year, to 419,741 metric tons. May imports rose 11.9% from April. In the first sending money in local settling in Korea not just Gyeonggi Province, another
five months of the year, imports rose 51.7% on year to reach 2.16 million tons, the General currency when foreigners financially but also in terms of expat hot spot.
Administration of Customs said last Sunday
• FX traders went risk on as the AUD headed back to parity intraday at US$0.9987.
• Nymex Oil might be lower but it’s easy to overlook on 4th Oct last year Nymex was at
US$86.42 yesterday. Nymex in 2012 was expected to trade at US$100 / brl. Bent crude on
Group: Europe airlines could
that date was at US$102 and intraday yesterday it traded at US$102.10. Increased inventories
have the price artificially low and it is expected to average US$112 for the rest of 2012.
• Gold traded on 20th Sept 2012 at 1809 but is now up and down daily all near US$1602 and
lose US$1.1B this year
if anything the precious metal seems a bit lost. Those looking to gold at US$2,000 / oz will BEIJING (AP) -- The global covers the whole industry. European airlines going out of
have a long wait. aviation trade group nearly “The industry’s profitability business this year, and there is
Vientiane: It was a quiet day at the office on Monday. Yesterday saw a familiar and somewhat doubled its forecast of is balancing on a knife edge,” clearly a possibility that will
traditional slow start at the Vientiane Stock Market. After 4 sessions only 7,205 shares had European airlines’ losses this said the IATA’s executive continue,” said Pearce.
traded for 48M kip. year to US$1.1 billion and said director, Tony Tyler. Airlines are likely to respond
By the close the index was out of sync with other Asean Indexes gains, when the LSX fell -8.49 Monday the worldwide industry The “most immediate to tougher conditions by retiring
points to 1006.77 points and signaling EDL-Gen had lost 50 kip to 4,850 kip. will scrape by with wafer thin risk” is Europe’s debt crisis, older aircraft to improve fuel
The days turnover recorded only 9,885 stocks with BCEL remained unchanged at 6,900 kip. profit margins due to high fuel which could drag down profit efficiency and pursuing cross-
• The LSX “Understand Capital Market and Accounting” seminar will be held on Wednesday prices. if it triggers a recession, Tyler border partnerships, though
on the 8th Floor Conference Room, Lao Securities Exchange... for more details and US and Asian carriers said. He said a 1 percent drop most countries still prohibit
registrations refer to lsx.com.la. should make money this year, in global airline revenue could outright mergers, Pearce said.
but more airlines in Europe turn the small forecast profit The latest outlook is based
might follow Hungary’s Malev into a US$3 billion loss. on a forecast that oil prices will
into bankruptcy if the European Asian carriers should lead average US$110 a barrel this
financial crisis worsens, the global profits at US$2 billion year. IATA says fuel accounts
International Air Transport this year, while US carriers will for 33 percent of carriers’ costs,
Association said. make US$1.4 billion, IATA up from 13-14 percent a decade
The group called for said. Latin American and the ago.
governments to resolve a Middle East are expected to The global profit forecast
dispute over European carbon show profits of US$400 million represents a decline of more
charges on airlines and to avoid each while African carriers lose than 50 percent from last year’s
tax and regulatory changes it a total of US$100 million. US$7.9 billion. That was down
said might hamper industry The forecast European loss by a similar margin from 2010’s
growth. is nearly double IATA’s March US$15.8 billion profit.
Global aviation should outlook. IATA economist Brian Also Monday, IATA
make a total profit this year Pearce said that was due to appealed to governments to
of US$3 billion on revenue of Europe’s financial turmoil. In head off a mounting conflict
US$631 billion - a 0.5 percent addition to Malev’s failure in over European carbon charges
Lao Exchange Rates: On Monday the Kip and the CAD local Lao exchange rates made small margin, IATA said. The group February, smaller carriers in on airlines by negotiating a
gains on the “US$. The kip was at 7,996 kip /US$! The aussie at 7,856 kip, the €uro fetched represents 240 airlines that carry Germany and Spain have shut global system to regulate the
10,087, Cad 7,705 and the ¥en 98.86 while the GB£ closed at 12,234 kip. 84 percent of passengers and down. industry’s emissions of climate-
cargo worldwide but its forecast “We’ve already seen some changing gases.
Vientiane Times
In brief
Oil above US$85
as Spain gets funds
to rescue banks
SINGAPORE (AP) -- Oil
jumped above US$85 a
barrel on Monday in Asia
after Europe offered Spain
a US$125 billion rescue
loan for its troubled banks.
Benchmark oil for July
delivery was up US$1.25 to
US$85.35 per barrel at late
afternoon Singapore time in
electronic trading on the New
York Mercantile Exchange.
The contract fell 72 cents to
settle at US$84.10 in New
York on Friday.
Germany borrows
at rock-bottom
0.007 percent
FRANKFURT, Germany
(AP) -- Germany has
borrowed again at rock-
bottom interest rates. The
government auctioned €4
billion (US$4.99 billion) in
six-month treasury bills at
an average annual interest
rate of only 0.007 percent.
People are willing to loan
money to Germany at such
low rates because its debt
is seen as having a very
low risk of not being paid
back. German debt has
therefore been used as a
safe-haven for investors to
park money.
Tesco suffers Q1
sales dip in UK
LONDON (AP) -- Tesco
PLC, Britain's biggest
retailer reported Monday
that its U.K. sales were
down 1.1 percent in the first
three months of the year.
The decline in same-store
sales followed a 1.2 percent
gain in the fourth quarter.
Those figures include tax
and petrol sales. Including
new stores and expansion,
sales in the UK were up
2.1 percent and group sales
were up 3.8 percent on a
constant currency basis.
Asia, US boost
BMW sales;
Europe sales down
FRANKFURT, Germany
(AP) -- BMW AG saw
sales rise 6.4 percent in
May from a year ago, as big
increases in Asia and better
numbers in United States
overcame a dip in struggling
Europe.
The Munich-based auto
maker sold 156,957 cars
in the month compared to
147,565 in May, 2011. Sales
in Asia rose 25.7 percent, and
31.5 percent in China alone.
Sales in the key U.S. market
rose 7.1 percent.
China gives big
boost to Audi sales
(AP) -- Volkswagen’s
luxury brand, Audi,
reported record sales for
May thanks to a big boost
from China. The company
said on Monday that
Chinese sales rose 44.2
percent compared to the
same month a year ago.
The A8 fullsize four-door
luxury sedan and the
locally-built Q5 compact
crossover SUV both
contributed strongly to the
increase in China.
Tuesday June 12, 2012 B233
FDI from Koreans falls 51 percent
HANOI, Vietnam (VNS) difficulties.
-- Investment from South According to the head of
Korea, Vietnam’s second MPI’s Foreign Investment
largest source, declined by 51 Agency Do Nhat Hoang,
percent in the first five months Korean businesses up to
of the year due to the world now have invested a total of
economic downturn, a Viet US$23.93 billion into 3,020
Nam Korea dialogue heard on projects in Vietnam, ranked
Wednesday. second after Japan.
According to the Ministry The largest investments
of Planning and Investment have gone to the manufacturing
(MPI), as many as 58 projects sector at 47 percent, followed
from Korean investors were by the real estate sector at
registered in the period with 28 percent, construction at 9
total investment capital of percent and the rest 6 percent,
US$220 million. to retail, hospitality, logistics
In addition, with US$35 and showbiz.
million raised by existing HCM City has the largest
projects, the total investment of amount of Korean projects
Korean businesses in Vietnam with 822, followed by Ha Noi
in the first five months of 2012 with 606, Binh Duong, 460
came to US$255 million, and Dong Nai, 256.
down 51 percent year on year.
Workers produce underground cables at the South Korean LS-Vina Cable Joint Stock Co in the port
city of Hai Phong. Most of Korea’s largest
Korean investors in the conglomerates already came
same period of 2011 pumped they have encountered in the most attractive countries built products that compete to Vietnam such as Samsung,
a combined US$522 million doing businesses in Vietnam. in Asia in terms of production with those made in Vietnam Kumho, Huyndai, Posco, LG
into Vietnam, accounting for Kyu said Viet Nam and and manufacturing. by Korean producers. and Lotte.
11.2 percent of total FDI in Korea should strengthen Most questions raised Representatives from Within two decades,
this time. their bilateral relations as at the workshop, organised Vietnam authorities said they bilateral relations between
Head of the Korean businesses are considering the by the Korean Chamber of would gather information Vietnam and Korea have
Department of Economic achieved remarkable progress.
country as one of the favoured Commerce (Kocham), related and reply at the next meeting,
Relations Kim Chang Kyu investment destinations in to taxes preferential for foreign scheduled for this July. Trade turnover between the
said the workshop aims to the coming time, especially investors, tax exemptions and Kocham President Kim two countries, which reached
give Korean investors a in high tech and supporting personal income taxes. Jai Woo said Viet Nam should only US$500 million in 1992,
chance to meet with local industries. Korean investors were also further improve its investment increased 26 times to US$13.7
authorities and voice their According to Kyu, Vietnam concerned about the declining environment, especially in the billion in 2010 and US$18.1
concerns about difficulties is also considered as one of import tax of some complete context of ongoing economic billion in 2011.
Malaysia’s Bintulu airport site to become
integrated upmarket project
KUCHING, Malaysia (The is expected to take five
Star) -- Naim Holdings Bhd years. Phase two will involve
will develop the site of the old construction of the shopping An artist’s impression
Bintulu airport into an integrated complex,” he added. of Naim’s Batu Lintang
upmarket commercial and Naim, Sarawak’s biggest mixed development
residential project. property developer, is expected project with gross
development value of
The new city centre for the to own and operate the
RM2bil.
booming industrial town will shopping complex as a long-
comprise condominiums, street term investment.
mall, international class hotel, Kho said there was a
shopping complex and other strong demand for quality
related facilities. accommodation like hotel,
Corporate services senior condominium and serviced
director Ricky Kho said the apartment in Bintulu with
project on about 12ha would the big influx of expatriates
have a gross development value involved in the development of
(GDV) of RM2bil. energy-intensive industries in
“It will be implemented Samalaju Industrial Park.
in two phases, with phase one Samalaju is one of the
targeted for launch by year- five growth nodes of Sarawak
end,” he told StarBiz. Corridor of Renewable Energy
Kho said the proposed street (SCORE) and it will become
mall would feature commercial the state’s new heavy-industry
shophouses and small home centre.
offices while the three-star hotel Bintulu is now undergoing
would have about 200 rooms. its third industrial boom. Besides
The condominium blocks the setting up of heavy industries port and Petroliam Nasional integrated mixed development up strong sales of properties
would house some 600 units for like aluminium and manganese Bhd’s Bintulu liquified natural a major retail centre, leveraging this year, boosted by the high
sale to both local and foreign ferrosilicon smelters, the gas Train 9. on the growth of SCORE. take-up rates of newly launched
buyers. city also has two other major Naim will make its Bintulu Meanwhile, Kho said Naim schemes in existing townships
“Phase one development projects the Samalaju deepsea was expected to commence in Miri and Kota Samarahan.
construction work of its “We have registered sales
Asia News Network (ANN) proposed RM1.5bil mixed
development in Batu Lintang
of about RM125mil as at May
31,” he added. Last year’s sales
here in the next few months was RM184mil an increase of
The Asia News Network (ANN) is a network of leading daily English language
newspapers in Asia, supported by the Konrad Adenauer Foundation of Germany
as planning approval had been RM42mil over 2010.
obtained. He said the top-selling
through its regional representative bureau in Singapore.
The joint-venture project properties were single-storey
THE DAILY YOMIURI It was established in March, 1999, to provide avenues for cooperation and
optimise coverage of major news events in the region.
will involve the development of semi-detached and terraced
THE YOMIURI SHIMBUN
It also aims to promote journalism, share news stories, feature articles, editorials
a 27-storey apartment, 18-storey houses in Miri’s Permyjaya
condominium, 36-storey township (Naim’s flagship
and personality profiles. ANN is the world’s most active newspaper alliance with
office tower, shopping mall, development) and terraced
a membership base of 18 newspapers in 16 countries.
The German News Agency of Deutsche Presse-Agentur, as one of the leading
17,000-sq-ft showroom, multi- units in Desa Ilmu in Kota
international agencies and ANN’s exclusive partner, distributes news and
storey car parks and water Samarahan.
features, background stories and commentaries from ANN to subscribers
theme park. The prime land, Naim is also recording good
THE STRAITS TIMES worldwide.
which was previously occupied sales for its walk-up apartments
They consist of Rasmei Kampuchea (Cambodia), China Daily (China), The
by government quarters, has launched recently in up-market
Statesman (India), The Korea Herald (South Korea), The Star (Malaysia), Sin
been cleared. Riveria satellite township near
Chew Daily (Malaysia), The Nation (Thailand), The Straits Times (Singapore),
He said phase one would here.
The Philippine Daily Inquirer (Philippines), The Jakarta Post (Indonesia), Vietnam
involve some apartment and The company has set up
News (Vietnam), The Daily Star (Bangladesh), Vientiane Times (Laos), The
condominium units. an office in Kota Kinabalu
Kathmandu Post (Nepal), The Island (Sri Lanka), Brunei Times (Brunei), The
Naim’s joint-venture to prepare for its property
Nation (Pakistan), and China Post (Taiwan). The combined circulation of these
partners in the project are development expansion in
newspapers is more than 14 million copies per day.
charitable trusts, Lembaga Sabah. Naim, which has a
Amanah Kebajikan Masjid land bank of about 1,050ha in
Negeri Sarawak and Tabung Kuching, Miri and Bintulu, is
Baitulmal Sarawak. on the lookout to acquire more
Kho said Naim had chalked land.
24 4
B Tuesday June 12, 2012 Vientiane Times

Spain rescue sends world stocks surging Apple expected to show

BRUSSELS (AP) -- A
European agreement to bail
out Spain’s banks sent stock
markets surging on Monday,
but analysts warned that the
deal doesn’t solve all of the
continent’s problems, and the
goodwill could be short-lived.
Finance ministers from
the 17 countries that use the
euro said they were willing to
lend Spain up to €100 billion
(US$125 billion) after Madrid
said it would need help to shore
up banks felled by bad real
estate loans. Spain has not said
exactly how much of that it will
tap, but markets were cheered
by the fact that it was finally
owning up to needing help.
In Europe, France’s CAC-40
rose 2.1 percent to 3,115, while
the DAX in Germany surged
the same rate to 6,262. The
FTSE index of leading British
shares was up 1.3 percent to
5,508. Spain’s Ibex rose by an
even stronger 2.5 percent.
The euro, which had surged
over the weekend on news of
the Spanish aid deal, gave up
some of those gains, trading 0.5
percent lower at US$1.2576 on
Monday.
Stock markets in the US
were also set to open higher.
Dow futures were up 0.8 percent
to 12,604 while S&P futures
rose 0.8 percent to 1,332.
Asian stocks gained ground
earlier in the day following
better-than-expected data on the
weekend that showed China’s
exports jumped in May from a
year earlier.
Japan’s Nikkei 225 index
climbed 2 percent to close at
8,624.90. South Korea’s Kospi
added 1.7 percent to 1,867.04
Visitors pose for pictures under the main display at the Stock Exchange in Madrid, Monday, May 28, 2012.
and Hong Kong’s Hang Seng
added 2.4 percent to 18,953.63.
Benchmarks in Singapore,
Taiwan, mainland China,
Indonesia and New Zealand
also rose.
“The decision to grasp the
nettle looks set to be greeted
positively by the markets for the
time being, but it is likely to be
no more than a relief pop,” said
Michael Hewson, an analyst at
CMC Markets. “The decision by
Spanish PM Rajoy to acquiesce
to the inevitable and request
help for Spain’s ailing banking
sector at the weekend is the first
sign of an acknowledgment of
the problems facing the Spanish
economy, but the fact it took
so long in the face of so much
denial remains a problem with
respect to the credibility of the
Spanish administration.”
With Spain taken care of
for the moment, investors will
now turn their attention to the
thornier issue of Greece, where
voters head to the polls this
coming weekend in an election
likely to determine whether the
debt-mired country will stick
with the common currency. If
Greece leaves the euro, that will
raise questions of whether other
countries might, too.
The Spanish rescue plan
also doesn’t address other
critical issues.
Take Italy, for example:
government debt in the third-
largest euro economy continues
to pile up as its economic
growth stagnates. Some fear it
is only a matter of time before
Italy becomes the next country
to ask for rescue money.
“I think it’s only a brief
respite for the markets,” said
Tom Kaan of Louis Capital
Markets in Hong Kong. “The
€100 billion bailout is hopefully
setting up a firewall against a
much worse deterioration. Here
we are, saving the banks. But
what is next?”
Spain is the fourth euro
nation to seek a rescue, after
Greece, Portugal and Ireland.
A financial crisis has gripped
Spain since 2008, when a real
estate bust caused big losses for
many banks.
The rise in equities also
drove oil higher. Benchmark
oil for July delivery was up 92
cents US$85.02 per barrel in
electronic trading on the New
York Mercantile Exchange.
fresh software, new Macs
NEW YORK (AP) -- Apple
CEO Tim Cook is expected to
show off new iPhone software
and updated Mac computers
and provide more details on
future releases of Mac software
when he kicks off the company’s
annual conference for software
developers Monday.
The announcement of
new software for the iPhone,
iPad and iPod Touch has been
confirmed by banners that
appeared at the conference
center in San Francisco on
Friday, reading “iOS 6.” It’s not
much of a surprise. Apple has
used its Worldwide Developers
Conference as an opportunity to
announce new iPhone software
for the past few years.
What’s not known is
what new features will come
with iOS 6, or when it will be
released to consumers. Usually,
the new software becomes
available for download around
the time a new iPhone model
appears. Apple-watchers expect
the next version of the iPhone,
the iPhone 5, to appear this fall,
about a year after the launch of
the 4S model.
In 2010, Apple demonstrated
the new iPhone 4 at the WWDC,
but analysts don’t expect the
company to show off a phone
model this year.
With the launch of iOS 5 last
year, Apple added many features
already found in competing
smartphone software. It also
added the “Siri” virtual assistant
feature, which interprets voice
commands and talks back to the
user.
This year, there are fewer
“catch up” features to add, so
Apple watchers expect more
modest improvements. Some
speculate that Facebook could
become more tightly integrated,
in much the same way that
Apple baked Twitter functions
into its software last year. That
could make it easier to post
Facebook status updates from
within Apple’s apps.
On the Mac software side,
there are fewer unknowns.
Apple already demonstrated
most of the features of OS X 10.8
“Mountain Lion” in February
and said it will go on sale late this
summer. Developers are already
able to download a version of
the software. It narrows the
gap between the PC and phone
software packages, making Mac
personal computers work more
like iPhones.
Microsoft Corp., Apple’s
chief competitor in PC software,
is on a parallel course. It’s set
to release Windows 8 later this
year, bringing the look and user
interface of Windows Phone to
PCs.
Cook is also expected to
announce new Mac models.
Intel Corp. has just updated its
processor line with faster, less
power-hungry chips, and most
of Apple’s Mac lines haven’t
had a major update in a year.
The biggest mystery
surrounds Apple’s ambitions
in television-making. Late
company founder Steve Jobs
told biographer Walter Isaacson
that he wanted to remake the
TV. Apple does sell an “Apple
TV,” but it’s small box that
connects to a TV to display
movies from iTunes. There’s
much speculation that Apple
plans to make a full-blown TV
set, integrated with iTunes.

Re-advertisement REAdVERTIsEMENT

VACANCy ANNOuNCEMENT FOR IdIVIduAL CONsuLTANTs OF

INVITATION FOR EXPREssION OF INTEREsT
Local consulting Firm
Project Title: Health Services Improvement Project-Additional Finance, Grant No. H695-LA
Position Title: Financial management and overall project accountant
Duty Station: Department of Planning and Finance, Ministry of Health
Languages required: Lao and English
Expected Starting Date: July, 2012
Duration of Appointment: July 2012 to June 2014
Procurement package: CQS-COF-03
Background
The Ministry of Health, Government of Lao PDR has received Additional Financing (AF) to expand
the scope of the current Health Services Improvement Project, especially the free maternal health
services (ANC, delivery, PNC and well child visits), outreach activities, health equity funds, HMIS,
while also introducing financing for child health services, as well as continuing support to human
resource development and service delivery capacity. The objective of the AF is to assist the Lao PDR
to increase utilization and quality of health services, particularly for the poor women and children in
rural areas of 5 southern Project Provinces. The AF will support additional and expanded activities
that scale up the impact and development of the original Project. Specifically, the AF will support the
following activities: a) scale up of program to reduce financial barriers to health services; b)
continued financing of recurrent costs at province, district and health center levels; c) focused
investment in human resource development; d) support to equipment and facility upgrading at district
hospital and health center level. These activities are expected to contribute to increased utilization
and quality of essential maternal, neonatal and child health services and, over the longer term, to
improved health outcomes.
Recruitment of a local accounting firm will be conducted in accordance with World Bank
procedures. The eligibility rules and Consultants’ Qualification Selection (CQS) procedure of the
WB will govern the recruitment process.
The Ministry of Health, Government of Lao PDR, now invites consultants to express interest in
providing consulting services on financial management and overall project accountant
In its Expression of Interest, the consultant shall include data and information demonstrating its
capacity to successfully complete the assignment. Information required includes but is not necessary
limited to: general presentation of the company; evidence of corporate registration and country of
registration; details of major contracts for similar assignments during the last 10 years; in-house
personnel, proposed personnel.
The Ministry of Health, Government of Lao PDR, will not be responsible for any cost or expense
incurred by companies in connection with the preparation of the Expression of Interest.
Information and Term of References could be obtained at the HSIP-AF National Project
Coordinator Office (NPCO), Department of Planning and Finance, Ministry of Health, Simeuang
Road, or Tel 214059, 214061, Mobile: 22002722, Email: hsipproc@etllao.com
Expression of interest will be submitted to Dr. Prasongsidh Boupha, Acting Director of Planning
and Finance Department Ministry of Health, HSIP-AF National Project Coordinator by Fax: 214058,
Email: adb2laos@loxinfo.co.th ; hsipchansaly@etllao.com; and hsipproc@etllao.com not later than
than 16:00 o’clock June 29,2012.
HEALTH sERVICEs IMPROVEMENT PROjECT AddITIONAL FINANCING
Background/rational
The Government of Lao PDR has received additional financing to expand the scope of the current
HSIP especially the free maternal health services (ANC, delivery, PNC and well child visits),
outreach activities, health equity funds, HMIS, while also introducing financing for child health
services, as well as continuing support to human resource development and service delivery capacity.
The objective of the Additional Financing is to assist the Lao PDR to increase utilization and quality
of health services, particularly for the poor women and children in rural areas of Project Provinces.
The AF will support additional and expanded activities that scale up the impact and development of
the original Project. Specifically, the AF will support the following activities: a) scale up of program
to reduce financial barriers to health services; b) continued financing of recurrent costs at province,
district and health center levels; c) focused investment in human resource development; d) support to
equipment and facility upgrading at district hospital and health center level. These activities are
expected to contribute to increased utilization and quality of essential maternal, neonatal and child
health services and, over the longer term, to improved health outcomes.
POsITION REQuIREd:
duration 18 month (expected date from july 2012 to sept 2013)
1. Project Consultant to support Department of Planning and Finance
2. Project Consultant to support Department of Organization and Personnel
3. Consultant to support Department of Hygiene and Prevention (Two positions)
4. Project Consultant to support Department of Health Care
The duration of contract will be from june to june 2014 with the possibility of extension based
on satisfactory performance.
5. Provincial Financial Accountant Based in each provinces of Savannakhet, Salavane, (Two
positions)
6. Provincial consultant for Savannakhet province
Responsibilities for all positions are provided in the Term of References (TORs).
For detailed TORs please contact the address below. The interested candidates should submit their
CV’s to the HSIP AF office (PMU) not later than 16:00 o’clock June 29,2012.
Contact person:dr.Prasonsith Boupha,HSIP AF National Project Coordinator
Vice Director of Department of Planning and Finance
Simaung Road,Vietiane Capital,P.O.Box 2236,Tel:214059,214061,Fax:214058
Or Dr.Chansaly Phommavong, Vice National Project Coordinator of HSIP AF
E-mail: adb2laos@loxinfo.co.th; hsipchansaly@etllao.com; hsipproc@etllao.com
Vientiane Times
Vientiane Times
Oudalee finds a suitable house for you to
live in Vientiane.
Traditional Lao house, house with swimming
pool, house on the river.
House with swimming pool available now.
Price range from Kip 3 000 000 and up.
Call Oudalee for free advice and pick up at
your convenient.
10 years experience guarantee.
Tel: 020 55 51 25 02 and 020 55 65 91 46
Email: oudalee@oudaleehomes.com
www.oudaleehomes.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.
020 77600059, 22229744, and
Office: 021 223032
www.RentsBuy.com email: rentsbuy@gmail.com
AB Apartment
Services: 2Bedrooms, 1Bedroom & Studio room
Features: Fully furnished apartment in Vientiane
with garden, A spacious parking, Air cond, Cable
TV, house keeping, 24 hours security surveillance,
washing machine and wireless connectivity.
Nearby: International community, diplomatic area &
minute drive from Patuxay Monument.
Ban Sibounheuang, Chanthabouly District,
Vientiane Capital Lao PDR
Mobile: +856-20-5551 2828 or +856-20-28184400
Phone: +856-21-263253 Fax: +856-21-222565
E-mail: abapart@gmail.com
www.abapartment.com
Maniraath gems and jewellery
Genuine diamond & setted
jewellery with 18k precious, semi precious and
Italian chains
talat sao mall #2-10 second floor
vientiane lao PDR, Tel: 021 285 051, mobile: 020 55676545, 020 55775544
Classified Tuesday June 12, 2012
25
EXPAT SERVICES
introduction - housing - insurance
+856 20 55599 430 one-stop service
020 77 100 200
www.jclao.com
Lao land company is one of the leading real
estate service agency based in Vientiane.
We are specialized in property service
sector, and proud to say your needs is our
answer.
For further inquiry, please feel free to
contact us at 020 5551 0155, 23666333, or
021 453 919.
030 981 9052, 020 23220022
English*French*Japanese * Chinese
Email:oad.laoland@gmail.com
www.laoland.com
 Bouakham
HOUSE RENTAL
Would you like to rent or buy property?
We can show you Land, Houses or Apartments in any
location. Call us!
P.O. Box 1940,Vientiane, Lao PDR
Tel: 020 5571 1396, 77959199
House for Sale
- 3 Bedroom, 3 toilets
Sale now!
- Area : 400 sq
- Front side : close to the mekong river
- District : Ban Borho
- Village :
22401446 - Province :Vientiane Cap.
- Price : 145,000 dollar, can be discuss
99990803
(Not expensive)
Large cheap Mekong River
land for sale Large plot of land (Sale now, not expensive)
We have great places to rent and buy:
6.580 square meters with 50
meters of frontage right on the Land, Houses, Apartments, Hotels,
Resorts, Guesthouses
Mekong with excellent views and
bouakham_nang@hotmail.com
next to the new Laos to Thai Email:
highway. www.bouakham-property.com
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
1,700,000 kip anytime
to 42,500,000 kip/month
• Tel: 020 55599900. 55593013,
office: 030 9800630
• Email: vpscarrental@yahoo.com
• www.vpscarrental.com
Chok Dee cafe
C.S TRANSPORT CO., LTD
“All transportation solution under one roof”
Service offered: Logistics, Transport,
Home Removal,Custom clearance for air
freight and sea freight.
Belgian
Contact Information: Ban Donkoy,
beers bar T4 Road, Sisattanak District
Vientiane, Lao P.D.R
“Moules-frites” Tel/Fax: +856- 021- 330154,
Mobile: +856- 020- 55506402
40 Belgian beers Email: chan@cstransportlao.com and www:
Tel: 020 56103434, www.chokdeecafe.com cstransportlao.com
Fagnum, Mekong riverside road infront of bus stop
262
C Classifieds Tuesday June 12, 2012 Vientiane Times

Email: office@kerberossecurity.com, Fax: 021 217441

Tel: 021 260419/020 55878688/020 55509957

City Centre, Short & long term stay

From 3,200,000 kip ($400) per month
Air-conditioning, cable TV,
housekeeping, laundry, electricity and water
Lao Air Service Co.Ltd Call: 020 55505840, 55023782
ÍçÖéÅèÈ Öà×ãÜÕ âÆê×éÈ ÄáÀèÈ Email: lao.heritage@gmail.com

Sale Agents for Lao Airline SERVICED APARTMENTS

Thai Airways, Vietnam Airlines
& World Wide Air-Tickets service
Tel: 900241-242-243
New Tel: 454034-36
Fax: (856-21) 900244
Mobile: 856-20 5515870, 5503979
Email: laoairservice1@etllao.com
laoairservice2@etllao.com
Lao Air Service Co.Ltd
1st Floor K.P Tower
Thatluang Rd (Opposite of Min. foreign
affairs)
Vientiane Lao P.D.R
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
English Teacher Vacancy
*Value *Comfort *Service
In the heart of Vientiane
Ideal for business or tourist
43/7 Hengboun Road,Vientiane Lao-Top College is seeking full-time or part-time
Tel: (856 21) 219280-1, Fax: (856 21) 219282 experienced English teachers
Email: hotellao.vientiane@gmail.com

• Full-Time= 8:00 am-11:30 am , 5:30 pm-8:30

Lao Red Cross youth Competition! • Part-Time= 8:00 am-11:30 am or 5:30 pm-8:30 pm
• Qualifications: For Lao – Master’s in English and for Foreign – Bachelor’s in English
Win a term of free English lessons by playing the Lao Red Cross Youth • Positions: Lao Teachers, Native English Speaking Teachers
Competition. From all correct entries, one winner will be drawn month. This month’s winner will
receive a notebook and a T-shirt promoting HIV/AIDS awareness. From all monthly winners, one • Application: Send your CV by E-mail or bring it to Lao-Top College
lucky winner will receive one full term of English lessons donated for free by Vientiane College. • Contact us: Homepage: www.laotop.net. Email Address: joelkidson@gmail.com
This month we have another word game for you. Just unscramble the following 5 words Office Tel: 021 353 900, 021 353 901. Joel’s Mobile Phone: 020 77132003
and place them in the boxes provide. For the right answers we will give you in the next month .
Phonpapao Village, Sisattanak district, Vientiane Capital
B O L E SOBUTLEA
Rashmi Jewellers
A C O E D NUGAEEOCKDL Dealing in Diamonds, Precious and Semi-precious
Gems and Jewellery, Set in 14/18 Kt Gold
C U T S Y NSCUYTOE
Among cut, clarity and colour,
the cut plays a critical role in expressing the brilliance
F O R TOERFF Beware and fire in a diamond.
of fakes! It is the quality of the cut which releases the beauty
of
the diamond to your eyes. The ideal cut ensures a
M A Z I GZMEINAA bright
Environmentally and lively diamond forever.
friendly It’s the moment when you look
deep within yourself; the moment when you feel
Cut out this entry form and send it to HIV/AIDS Project, Lao Red Cross, PO Box 2948 or take it you can be everything you want to be;
to the Lao Red Cross office behind Vat Xiengnhune. Closing date for the competition on Friday, the moment when you set yourself free from life’s
29 June 2012 at 9.00am. definitions.
It’s the moment when you realise you want just to be
you…
Name: _________________ ID Card No: ________________ Address & Phone Number: Win the
______________ battle against Rashmi Diamond Jewellery
mosquitoes! Reflects your inner fire.

Last month’s winner: Mr. Hongviseth VILAysANE, Id Card No: 01-0138894. Mosquitoes are more
dangerous than tigers

Last month’s answer: Classmate, Determinant, Disclosure, Luxurious and Persevere. direct sale by Tel: 020
54434207,
English= 55599209
Please contact to Ms. Phoutthalom for further more information at Tel: 241632.
(free transportation )
316, Samsenthai Road,
[Opposite Lao Plaza Hotel]
Tel #: [856-21] 251513,252790 Fax #: [856-21] 243791
Mob #: [856-20] 2212021, 5513101
Email: rashmi_enterprises2001@yahoo.com
Vientiane Times Tuesday June 12, 2012 Classifieds C273

VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT

Road Safety Education Officer (1position – Lao National)
With the Public Awareness and Research Manager
ROAD SAFETY PROJECT With the
Funded by ROAD SAFETY PROJECT
BELGIAN DEVELOPMENT COOPERATION Funded by
BELGIAN DEVELOPMENT COOPERATION
Handicap International (HI) is seeking a Road Safety Education Officer for the Road Safety Project
in Savannakhet. The Road Safety Project’s objective is to reduce the number of road traffic accidents Handicap International (HI) is seeking a Public Awareness and Research Manager for the Road Safety
and the disabilities resulting from these accidents in partnership with the Ministry of Public Works and Project in Vientiane and Savannakhet. The Road Safety Project’s objective is to reduce the number of
Transport. road traffic accidents and the disabilities resulting from these accidents in partnership with the Ministry
of Public Works and Transport.
The Road Safety Education Officer’s responsibilities: The Public Awareness and Research Manager’s responsibilities:
• In close collaboration with the Program Manager , Education and Network Manager and Partners, • In close collaboration with the Program Manager and Partners, define public awareness strategies and
define Education strategies and action plans action plans
• Develop monitoring and evaluation tools for the project activities. • Develop monitoring and evaluation tools for the project activities.
• Coordinate the implementation of Education activities in conjunction with the Education and • Coordinate the implementation of public awareness activities in conjunction with the responsible
Networks Manager and responsible government agencies government agencies
• Coordination with all stake holders of education for planning for the curriculum implementation in • Manage the production of Road Safety awareness materials such as leaflets, posters, TV and
Vientiane and Savannakhet Radio spots and other information material from budgeting to the delivery of the final product.
• Implement Peer to Peer activities in Secondary Schools in Savannakhet • Define and conduct Road Safety Researches in close partnership with research center and
• Manage the production of Education materials universities.
• Prepare activities and budget planning. • Support Data Collection and Research Officer.
• Provide report to program manager regularly • Support Disability Officer
• Translate documents from Lao to English or English to Lao and act as an interpreter as required. • Support the Community Based Road Safety
• Manage the documentation of all public awareness and research activities of the project
Minimum requirements are: Minimum requirements are:
• Relevant Degree in education or another position-related subject; • Relevant Degree in education or another position-related subject;
• 3 years working experience ; • 10 years working experience in a related field ;
• Proven skills in working with communities; • Proven skills in working with communities;
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills; • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills;
• Computer skills: MS Office, Adobe PageMaker, Photoshop (basic). • Computer skills: MS Office, Adobe PageMaker, Photoshop (basic).
• Fluency in written and spoken English or French • Fluency in written and spoken English
This position is based in Savannakhet.
This position is based in Vientiane with occasional travel to Savannakhet.
Only short listed candidates will be contacted.
Only short listed candidates will be contacted.
Basic monthly salary: From 3.200.000 to 3.600.000 LAK(based on Experiences + Diplomas+ Languages)
Monthly salary: From 4.800.000 to 5.400.000 LAK + Medical fund+13th month+ other benefits
Applicants should send per fax or email a letter of interest and their CV by June 20, 2012 to:
Applicants should send per fax or email a letter of interest and their CV by June 20, 2012 to:
Email: hr.adminofficer@laos.handicap.be and rds.manager@laos.handicap.be Email: hr.adminofficer@laos.handicap.be and rds.manager@laos.handicap.be
Or Or
Handicap International ‘Road Safety Education Officer’ Handicap International ‘Public Awareness and Research Manager’
P.O. Box 2496, 51/1 Hongkae Road, Ban Sisangvone, Saysettha District, Vientiane, Lao PDR P.O. Box 2496, 51/1 Hongkae Road, Ban Sisangvone, Saysettha District, Vientiane, Lao PDR
Telephone: (021) 412110, 451298,Facsimile: (021) 416242 Telephone: (021) 412110, 451298,Facsimile: (021) 416242
Women and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply Women and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply
HIB is a humanitarian, non-governmental organisation working in the areas of disability rehabilitation, HIB is a humanitarian, non-governmental organisation working in the areas of disability rehabilitation,
prevention and advocacy throughout the world. HIB was co-laureate of the Nobel Peace Prize in 1997 for its prevention and advocacy throughout the world. HIB was co-laureate of the Nobel Peace Prize in 1997
work towards a total ban on the use, transfer, sale and stockpile of landmines. for its work towards a total ban on the use, transfer, sale and stockpile of landmines.
284
C Classifieds Tuesday June 12, 2012 Vientiane Times

“Making Access to Finance more Inclusive for Poor People” (MAFIPP) is a joint
programme of UNCDF and UNDP, nationally implemented by the Bank of the Lao
PDR on behalf of the Government of the Lao PDR. MAFIPP has agreed to provide
the funding for the following consultancy:

CONSULTANCY ANNOUNCEMENT
Position: Microfinance Training & Capacity Building Expert (Lao Consultant )
Work Location: Based in MFWG Office in Vientiane
Starting Date: 6 August 2012 (for a total of 25 days)

The Microfinance Working Group for the Lao PDR (MFWG) was established
in May 2007 to promote the development of a sustainable microfinance sector
that operates in line with international standards and that contributes to poverty
reduction in the long term. As the national Microfinance Industry Network, the
MFWG brings together microfinance practitioners and other relevant stakeholders
to share experience and information about the sector with the goal to improve sector
coordination, transparency, sustainability and quality of microfinance services. The
MFWG provides services in the following core areas: Knowledge management/
research & representation, policy advocacy and capacity building/training.
The network is now expanding its capacity building and training services in order
to strengthen the expertise of MFI staff and Boards and therefore plans to engage
a local training and capacity building expert. S/he will work with and report to the
MFWG Board of Directors and Management Team.

1. Duties & Responsibilities

Support a research study on ‘The Establishment of a Microfinance Management
Certificate Course’ together with an international training expert. Specific tasks include:
• Undertake a thorough desk review of relevant microfinance literature,
research and existing Lao training materials
• Identify key training contents for a Microfinance Management Certificate
Course and support the drafting of a curriculum design
• Assess possibility of integrating existing Lao microfinance training
materials into the course curriculum
• Establish a course budget (including external funding requirements)
and assess feasibility of financial sustainability of such a course
• Establish an admission and grading system for trainees and a
certification system for trainers
• Organize meetings with key microfinance stakeholders based in Lao PDR
• Provide technical input and support where required during the research
and to the final report
• Provide oral and written translation from Lao into English and vice versa
• Be the liaison person in charge of any follow up work related to the research
outcome and identified next steps with regards the establishment of the
course

2. Qualifications and Skill Requirements:

• At least a Master’s Degree in economics, finance, accounting or related
business degree
• Solid microfinance expertise and understanding of Lao microfinance sector
and its challenges
• At least 5 years training experience in microfinance and knowledge of policies
affecting microfinance institutions
• Thorough knowledge and understanding of participatory training methods
• Experience in individual coaching of MFIs in Lao PDR
• Able to establish excellent working relationships with different microfinance
stakeholders (microfinance practitioners, donors, bi/multi-lateral agencies,
(I)NGOs, service providers, policy makers, Government authorities/line
ministries, etc.)
• Strong verbal and written communication skills (English & Lao)
• Strong negotiation, advocacy and consensus-building skills
• Strong interpersonal, networking skills
• Ability and willingness to work in a team and to motivate people
• Computer literacy

3. How to apply?
Interested candidates are invited to submit a covering letter explaining how you
meet the requirements together with a comprehensive CV that include at least two
professional referees from different institutions (names and contact details) who
are familiar with the candidate’s qualifications and work experience. Women are
encouraged to apply. Interested candidates should submit their applications online
to mfwglaopdr@gmail.com not later than 18 June 2012. All application documents
will be treated confidentially and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted
for an interview.

For more information on MFWG please refer to our website: www.mfwglaopdr.org