
Vientiane Times
FRIDAY NOVEMBER 24, 2023
The First National English Language Newspaper established in 1994
ISSUE 230
Inside
Visit​ Laos​ Year 2024
opens with great fanfare
Lao, neighbouring armies
complete anti-terrorism
drills
[ Page 2 ]
National​ Productivity​
Festival showcases
business quality
[ Page 3 ]
Second Lao Human
Capital Summit to focus
on nutrition
[ Page 3 ]
Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone (centre)​cuts a ribbon to launch Visit Laos Year 2024 at the That Luang esplanade
on Thursday.​
Times​ Reporters​
Visit Laos Year 2024 kicked
off at the That Luang
esplanade in Vientiane on
To save the climate, the Thursday with an official
ceremony attended by a large
oil and gas sector must number of dignitaries.
slash planet-warming
Vietnam ready to support Laos’ Asean
operations, report says
[ Page 5 ]
Chairmanship 2024: minister
HANOI (Vietnam News) --
Foreign minister Bui Thanh
Son spoke highly of the
Malaysian Ambassador to preparations made by Laos
Laos visits the Malaysian for the Asean Chairmanship
Business in Savannakhet 2024 and emphasised that
province Vietnam is ready to support
[ Page 7 ] Laos in successfully taking
over the role.
He told Saleumxay
Kommasith, Laos’ deputy
prime minister and foreign
minister, while the two
chaired the tenth Vietnam
-Laos foreign ministerial-
level consultation meeting on
Wednesday in Hanoi.
West Sumatra, land of The two ministers had
stunning landscapes, an extensive and substantive
Adityawarman Museum, exchange, focusing
culture and history on reviewing bilateral
[ Page 10 ] cooperation, preparing for
high-level foreign affairs
activities between the two
countries in the future,
and discussing measures
to continue to promote
cooperation between the two
ministries of foreign affairs.
Both sides expressed
their joy at the steady and
effective progress in all fields
between Vietnam and Laos
2nd edition of in recent times. Political trust
France-Laos fest a success continues to be strengthened
[ Page 14 ] with many delegation
exchanges and high-level
www.vientianetimes.org.la and www.vientianetimeslao.la
More than hundred
people together with
Prime Minister Sonexay
Siphandone; President of
the Lao Front for National
Development, Dr Sinlavong
Khoutphaythoune; Deputy
Prime Minister prof. Dr
contacts at different levels,
creating a solid foundation
and direction for the overall
bilateral relationship.
Intensified security and
defence cooperation has
contributed to maintaining
security and stability in each
country, they said.
They agreed that economic
cooperation has seen more
positive, substantive and
effective changes.
In the first ten months
of 2023, the bilateral trade
turnover reached more than
US$1.3 billion. Many key
projects have been put into
operation.
The countries have
fostered cooperation in Foreign minister Bui Thanh Son (right) welcomes his Lao Deputy Prime Minister and foreign
CONTINUED PAGE 5
Kikeo Khaykhamphithoune;
the Mayor of Vientiane Dr
Atsaphangthong Siphandone;
ministers and provincial
governors attended the event.
Also present were
foreign ambassadors, other
representatives of foreign
minister Saleumxay Kommasith in Hanoi on Wednesday. --Photo VNA/VNS
embassies to Laos, and
members of international
organisations.
Dr Sonexay​Siphandone​
said “This is the Visit Laos
Year since 1999 that Laos
has named a year “Visit Laos
CONTINUED PAGE 3
5500 kip
Hamas
reveals
details of first
cease-fire,
swap deal
since Gaza
conflict
GAZA (Xinhua) -- Israel
and the Gaza-ruling Islamic
Resistance Movement
(Hamas) confirmed
Wednesday a cease-fire
agreement in the conflict-
ridden Gaza Strip for four
days, to allow for more aid
delivery to Gaza as well as the
exchange of Israeli hostages
held by the armed Palestinian
faction and Palestinian
prisoners jailed in Israel.
The humanitarian pause,
mediated by joint Qatari,
Egyptian and US efforts,
would enable the release
of 50 hostages held in
Gaza, mainly children and
women and most are foreign
nationals, in exchange for
about 150 female and teenage
Palestinians jailed in Israel,
the Israeli presidency and a
top Hamas official revealed
separately.
Hamas politburo member
CONTINUED PAGE 5
November 23, 2023
20.664 20.765
0,9409 0,9601
626,18 632,52
22.387 22.612
2.876 2.905
2 Home news Friday November 24, 2023
Lao, neighbouring armies
complete anti-terrorism drills
A helicopter takes part in a military drill in China.
Times Reporters
Lao and neighbouring country
armies have completed joint
military drills under the Aman
Youyi 2023 exercise, which
took place to boost capabilities
in counter-terrorism and
maritime security.
The Aman Youyi 2023
exercise was conducted
from November 13 to 22 in
Zhanjiang in South China’s
Guangdong province.
Army personnel from the
countries concerned jointly
rehearsed attacks on terrorist
targets and took part in the
closing ceremony of the joint
multi-party training in China.
Laos` Deputy Minister of
National Defence, Lieutenant
General Khamlieng
Outhakaysone, said “On
behalf of the Lao People’s
Army, I am honoured and
proud to participate in the
closing ceremony of the
joint multi-party training.
Lao, Chinese eye specialists provide free cataract surgery
Times Reporters
Lao and Chinese
ophthalmologists are
providing free cataract surgery
in Vientiane and Luang
Prabang provinces from now
until the end of December, to
improve the vision of people
who could not otherwise
afford treatment.
The surgery is being
performed under the China-
Laos Friendship Cataract
Surgery Programme, with
support from China’s GX
Foundation.
People in Vientiane
province with cataract
problems are being offered
free treatment at 12 district
hospitals from November 28
to December 29.
In Luang Prabang, Lao
and Chinese ophthalmologists
are providing free cataract
surgery at the 107 Military
Lao Press in Foreign Languages
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Editor-in-Chief:
Thonglor Duangsavanh
This is the first time the Lao
People’s Army has joined
forces from other countries
in the region for multi-party
training abroad.”
“This exercise is a very
important opportunity for
Lao officers to learn from the
expertise of other countries,
especially the principles and
tactics involved in attack, in
order to build their forces
with skills, experience and
readiness to deal with various
threats in a highly effective
manner.”
“The success of this multi-
party joint military exercise
is a testament to the strong
cooperation and friendship
between the six participating
armies, which will increase
day by day and deepen,
especially in defending our
nations against elements
seeking to destroy and create
unrest in the region, and to
protect the region and the
world so that conditions are
A man has his eyes tested for the presence of cataracts.
Hospital from November 6 to
December 21.
The first four phases of
the project were conducted
in Vientiane, where over
2,300 cataract surgeries were
carried out. According to
the ophthalmologist team,
cataract surgery is fast and
safe, restores eyesight, and
improves people’s quality of
life. The surgery dramatically
reduces the magnitude of
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stable.”
Asean members Laos,
Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand
and Malaysia took part in the
exercise.
The purpose of the
exercise was to strengthen
counter-terrorism and anti-
piracy capabilities in urban
and maritime settings among
participating countries for
regional peace and stability.
The Aman Youyi exercise
was initiated by China and
Malaysia. Following an
inaugural tabletop combat
scenario exercise held in
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, in
2014, Malaysia hosted field
exercises in 2015 and 2016.
The exercise was a good
opportunity for commanders
and soldiers in each country
to share knowledge, lessons
learnt, and experience in
theory, principles and tactics
in combat attacks in order to
build their forces’ readiness to
fight against groups of people
and countries that do not have
good intentions and seek to
destroy and cause unrest in
the region, specifically, to
preserve peace in the region
and in the world.
Officers and soldiers from
the participating countries met
with officers and soldiers from
the People’s Liberation Army
of China and built unity.
The exercise was
viewed as a strong basis for
strengthening the friendship
between the armies of Asean
countries and China.
--Photo GX Foundation
blindness, which is largely
avoidable.
The service is being
provided in line with the
government’s obligation to
provide the highest attainable
standard of health for its
citizens.
The programme will
help many poor people to
regain their eyesight. It gives
them the opportunity to
access high quality medical
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Lao and Australian officials attend the launch of the Paediatric Ophthalmology Fellowship
project.
Australia gives boost to
children’s eye health
Phetphoxay Sengpaseuth
The National Ophthalmology
Centre in Vientiane launched
a new project on Thursday,
to train ophthalmologists to
treat children with a range of
eye conditions.
The project is a supported
by Sight for All with
funding from the Australian
government.
The new project,
known as the Paediatric
Ophthalmology Fellowship,
is being implemented with
development assistance from
Australia’s Department of
Foreign Affairs and Trade.
The launch was attended
by the Director of the National
Ophthalmology Centre, Dr
Khamkhoun Horanouphap.
The two-year project will
be implemented at the National
Ophthalmology Centre with a
services and afterwards to
support themselves instead
of depending on others for
assistance because of impaired
vision.
GX Foundation’s medical
team is currently performing
free cataract operations for
people in Laos and Cambodia
and aims to complete 9,600
surgeries in five countries by
the end of this year.
According to the National
Ophthalmology Centre, a
survey estimates that 3 percent
of the Lao population aged 50
and over is blind.
The prevalence of
blindness is estimated to be
as high as 5 percent in some
rural and remote areas of the
country. Women account for
up to twice as many cases of
blindness as men.
The overall incidence
rate among populations in
Asean member countries is
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focus on complex strabismus
cases, cataracts, glaucoma and
retinopathy in babies, through
both screening and treatment.
Speaking at the launch
ceremony, the Deputy
Ambassador of Australia
to Laos, Mr Dan Heldon,
said “This is a two-year
programme that will train three
general ophthalmologists to
assess, diagnose and treat
children with a range of eye
conditions.”
Around the world, eye
disease that leads to blindness
is an avoidable condition.
Four out of five people who
are blind do not need to be.
Childhood blindness is
second only to cataract as the
leading cause of blindness in
the developing world, and
Asia is home to two thirds of
the world’s blind children, Mr
Heldon said.
0.1 percent.
Cataracts occur mostly
in the elderly, while others
occur because of eye injuries,
diabetes and genetic defects.
But the condition can easily be
treated, according to the World
Health Organisation.
Primarily, blindness in
Laos is caused by cataracts,
while poor vision is caused by
uncorrected refractive errors.
Besides the impact of vision
loss on a person’s quality of
life, there is also a substantial
economic loss associated with
blindness, including increased
unemployment, decreased
productivity, and increased
welfare costs.
Preventable blindness
is a significant global
health problem, which
hinders development and
disproportionately impacts
the poor, yet many cases can
be prevented or treated.
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In Laos, to combat cases
of treatable blindness in
children, there is a need to
develop specialised paediatric
ophthalmology units and
increase public awareness.
A u s t r a l i a n
ophthalmologists will play a
key role in training the Fellows
here in Laos, which will
demonstrate the sustainable
nature of the model.
“I know that Sight for
All places a high degree of
importance on sustainability
- ensuring that the Fellows
learn skills applicable in their
context,” Mr Heldon said.
The Australian
government appreciates
the work of Sight for All
and its partners. On a final
note, Mr Heldon encouraged
everyone to continue strong
engagement with government
at all levels, to ensure the
sustainability of their work.
The Fellowship will
spend time and operate with
glaucoma, retina, oculoplastic
and ocular oncology surgeons
on a regular basis. The fellow
participates in complex
strabismus and intraocular
surgery that is performed at
the main hospital.
The fellow also participates
in the less complicated surgical
procedures performed away
from the main hospital. The
fellow is included in all adult
strabismus surgeries that take
place at outside locations.
The fellow can expect to
participate in several hundred
surgical cases each year.
According to the National
Ophthalmology Centre, a
recent survey estimated that 3
percent of the Lao population
aged 50 and over is blind. This
prevalence level contrasts
with that of a developed
country such as Australia,
where the number is less than
1 percent.
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Vientiane Times
National agendas extended to
strengthen economy, curb drug trade
Times Reporters
The National Assembly (NA)
has approved the extension of
the two National Agendas for
another two years until 2025
after observing their success
in addressing the country’s
financial and economic
difficulties and stemming the
trade in drugs.
The agendas were
originally intended to be
implemented from 2021-
2023 but NA members agreed
it was necessary to extend
the timeframe to enable
more progress to be made in
tackling the ongoing financial
and economic challenges and
reduce the drug threat.
“The implementation
of these agendas has seen
achievements in many
respects and positive
changes have been made,”
the President of the NA’s 9th
legislature Xaysomphone
Phomvihane said at the close
of the 6th Ordinary Session of
the NA on Tuesday.
However, Assembly
members advised the
government to address issues
around mining operations that
were piloted under the agenda,
and to strengthen oversight in
order to maximise the benefits
yielded. The suggestion came
after an inspection found
that pilot mining projects
had caused huge losses and
damaging impacts.
The weights of minerals
extracted and processed
at mines and at the end
Visit​ Laos​ Year 2024...
Year”. This year’s programme
takes the theme “A Paradise of
Culture, Nature and History”
with the logo of an elephant
holding a khaen as a symbol
of good luck and prosperity.”
“The government views
Visit Laos Year as a crucial and
meaningful event, especially
after the tourism industry
was severely impacted by the
COVID-19 pandemic,” the
Prime Minister added.
​“I would like to urge the
entire Party and state, armed
forces, business operators, and
people of all ethnic groups in
Laos to join hands in hosting
Visit Laos Year by assisting
and providing services to
visitors from around the world
with warm smiles and open
hearts.”
“This is an opportunity
to showcase Laos’ rich
culture and traditions to the
world, to create a memorable
experience for visitors, and
encourage them to revisit
Laos in the future,” he added.
Also speaking at the
ceremony, Minister of
Information, Culture and
Tourism,​Mrs Suanesavanh
Vignaket, who is also
Deputy Head of the National
Committee responsible for
Visit Laos Year 2024, said
“To ensure we give a warm
welcome and offer generous
hospitality to tourists, the
border checkpoints varied,
the President of the State
Inspection Authority, Dr
Khamphanh Phommathat,
told the recent NA session.
In addition, heavily laden
trucks carrying minerals have
severely damaged roads.
Improper management of
mining operations has led to
encroachment into forested
areas, including reserved and
protected forests, as well as
farmland, causing severe
negative economic and social
impacts, he added.
However, since the pilot
scheme was inaugurated,
it has generated more than
US$97 million (2,013 billion
kip) in revenue and 548.87
billion kip for the state.
In addition to piloted
mining operations, the overall
measures taken to address
financial and economic
difficulties have gained
momentum, Prime Minister
Sonexay Siphandone told
lawmakers.
Presenting the midterm
review report on the five-year
National Socio-economic
Development Plan for 2021-
2025, the PM said midterm
average growth reached 4.03
percent, which meets the
average growth target of at
least 4 percent set in the five-
year plan.
Thanks to efforts to
restructure revenue and
expenditure along with
modernising the revenue
collection system, revenue
collection exceeded the target
FROM PAGE 1
Ministry of Information,
Culture and Tourism has
worked with the relevant
authorities and the public and
private sectors to determine
79 events that will form the
backbone of the programme,
including 14 national level
events and 65 at the provincial
level.”
“These events and
activities will provide a range
of exciting experiences for
visitors and will showcase
Laos’ joyful and colourful
traditions and culture.”
“Visit Laos Year 2024 is
one of the most important
events in Laos. Apart from
promoting tourism, it aims
to conserve the country’s
arts, culture and traditions as
well as inform visitors about
Laos’ long history and the
sustainable use of its natural
resources.”
“Another goal of Visit
Laos Year 2024 is to create
a vibrant atmosphere for
economic stimulation, both
directly and indirectly, across
all sectors,” the minister said.
The opening ceremony
was broadcast on Lao National
Television and the Lao public
security, Vientiane, and Lao
army television stations via
satellite so the whole world
could tune in and also watch
the event on Facebook.
The government hopes
for two consecutive years.
Increased revenue coupled
with belt tightening that has
cut unnecessary spending has
narrowed the budget deficit.
“Debt servicing has taken
place in line with the times
scheduled, which means that
our country is not sliding into
debt default,” PM Sonexay
told the biannual session.
Measures to bolster
foreign currency reserves
and reduce inflation are also
gaining momentum.
The amount of foreign
currency earned from exports
increased from just 31 percent
of total earnings in 2020 to
41.32 percent during the first
nine months of 2023. It is
expected to rise further to 50
percent for the whole year.
However, the government
admitted that currency
exchange rates remain
fragile amid the impacts of
the changing global economic
environment. Insufficient
foreign exchange and high-
level debt servicing are also
an ongoing issue that require
a collective effort to resolve.
Regarding the drug
issue, police officers have
confiscated over 32,000
kilograms of illegal drugs and
processed more than 10,000
cases involving drug use and
trafficking over the past three
years. Noting the progress
made in this field, lawmakers
and the government cabinet
agreed to continue to intensify
action to combat the trade in
drugs and drug abuse.
to attract at least 2.7 million
foreign tourists next year,
generating revenue of about
US$401 million, while in 2025
tourist arrivals are forecast to
reach 2.9 million and generate
income of US$434 million.
The government
has organised previous
promotional campaigns to
attract tourists, including two
Visit Laos Years, Visit Laos-
China Year, and Lao Thiao
Laos, which drew a large
number of visitors.
During Visit Laos Year
2018, visitor arrivals topped
4.1 million, up 8.2 percent
compared to 2017.
During Visit Laos-China
Year 2019, Laos welcomed
4.58 million foreign visitors,
representing an increase of 9
percent over 2018.
This year That Luang
festival is held from November
23-27. Alms-giving in the
early morning on November
27, hockey game at 1 pm, and
candlelit processions in the
evening.
Visitors will find many
stalls selling ODOP products,
farmers’ produce, handicrafts,
furniture, clothing, and
electrical items. There will
also be colourful traditional
activities and ceremonies
to pay homage to the stupa,
including the “wax castle”
procession.
Government officials and members of the Asian Productivity Organisation launch the Lao
National​ Productivity​ Festival.
National​ Productivity​ Festival
showcases business quality
Times​ Reporters
The Lao National​Productivity​
Festival is taking place in
Vientiane from November
23-25 to publicise the success
of the Asian Productivity
Organisation (APO).
The event is hosted by the
Small and Medium Enterprise
Department of the Ministry
of Industry and​Commerce,
chaired by Minister of
Industry and Commerce Mr
Malaythong Kommasith
and a member of the Asian
Productivity Organisation, Dr
Indra Pradana Singawinata.
The purpose of the fair
is to raise awareness of the
achievements under the APO,
especially the important goals
specified in the APO Vision
2025. The event will also
publicise Laos’ membership
in the APO and the work of
the Lao National Productivity
Second Lao Human Capital
Summit to focus on nutrition
Times Reporters
The Lao government and its
partners have agreed to hold
the second Human Capital
Summit next year, focusing on
the crucial issue of nutrition.
The decision was made
at a meeting in Vientiane
on Thursday chaired by
the Deputy Minister of
Planning and Investment,
Mrs Phonevanh Outhavong,
where the participants were
presented a report from the
Ministry of Health showing
that the nutritional status
of Lao children has been
declining, particularly in rural
areas.
Human capital - the
knowledge, skills and health
needed to boost productivity
- is the most important form
of capital for the growth of
society, and Laos is currently
not sufficiently developing its
human capital to keep pace
with other countries.
Nutrition is an area of
particular weakness, with
about 33 percent of children
under five years below the
normal height levels for their
age, while 21 percent are
underweight, and 9 percent
are wasted. These are all signs
of under-nutrition, which
mostly affects the poor and
ethnic groups, mainly in rural
Friday November 24, 2023 Home news
Organisation since 2002.
Attendees will learn
about the importance of
productive work for national
development, effective
implementation, competitive
ability of businesses and
the workforce, and the
development of personnel
throughout the Asia-Pacific
region, especially to support
fulfilment of the goals set
under the APO Vision 2025.​
The event will create
a deep understanding of
the direction and form of
sustainable productivity so
that participants can learn
and share knowledge and
experiences to improve
production and management
processes according to
international standards
by applying innovation to
increase production and
understanding the importance
of productivity in the
and upland areas, according to
the World Bank.
The World Bank senior
economist, Tara Béteille,
said: “In Laos, high levels
of childhood under-nutrition
present a huge but avoidable
loss of human and economic
potential. Stunting can cause
long-term damage that lasts far
beyond childhood, including
slower learning ability and
lower productivity and wages
in adulthood. Stunted children
cannot develop to their full
potential, and this affects
national productivity and
economic growth.”
At the first Human Capital
Summit held in Vientiane
in May and chaired by the
Prime Minister, Mr Sonexay
Siphandone, the government
committed to improving the
quality of basic education,
enrolling all children and
keeping them in school,
and improving education
financing.
The summit helped bring
educational deficiencies to
public attention, and the
recently concluded National
Assembly session featured
a detailed discussion of
education policies and
funding. It is hoped the second
summit can have a similar
effect in focusing attention on
nutrition.
3
development of MSMEs
and social and economic
development.​​
Participants will learn
about the history of APO and
its Vision 2025 as well as the
work of the Lao National
Productivity Organisation.
Information will be
circulated online through
social media, and in
publications and on
billboards, while stalls will
be set up to sell the products
and technological innovations
produced by businesses.
There will also be a
discussion forum on the
importance of productivity for
the development of MSMEs
and the economy as well
as the need to comply with
certification standards and
boost quality standards in
order to gain access to more
domestic and international
markets.
While Laos has made
progress in combating poverty
and nutrition problems in
recent years, the combined
shocks of Covid-19 and
recent economic difficulties
are threatening to reverse
successes.
World Bank surveys
show that around 87 percent
of households report being
affected by inflation and to
cope, many are switching to
cheaper food or reducing the
amount of food they eat. Data
from the National Nutrition
Surveillance system indicate
a significant drop in the
quality of food given to
young children, with only
one in 10 children fed the
minimum diet required to
grow, develop and meet their
full potential. Altogether,
Laos is currently losing
around 2.7 percent of GDP
due to malnutrition.
The UNICEF
representative for Laos,
Pia Rebello Britto, said,
“Improved nutrition is vital
if the country is to turn
its potential advantage of
a young population into
economic and social gains.
At the next Human Capital
Summit, we can assess if
current investments are
addressing malnutrition in
the most optimal way.”
4 Friday November 24, 2023 Vientiane Times

Excerpts from the Lao Media Photo Scenes

Vice President visits

Champassak
Vice President Pany Yathotou (third from right) visits the
head of a model family that rears fish for sale.
Translated by Meuangkham
Noradeth
Vi c e P r e s i d e n t P a n y
Ya t h o t o u v i s i t e d a n d
supported the head of a
model family in Khong
district of Champassak
province who rears fish for
sale.
Recently, Vice President
Pany Yathotou, and other
officials visited Champassak
to support the head of a
model family who rears
fish for sale in Khong. Mr
Khamchanh is the owner of
Ployphaylin fish farm.
Mr Khamchanh said
that rearing animals for
sale is as per the policy of
the government to ensure
sufficient food for domestic
consumption, sale and to cut
down on imports. He said
this family cleared land on
30 hectares to rear fish and
grow various commercial
crops.
In 2021, Mr
Khamchanh’s family dug
up 50 fish ponds and started
to release fingerlings. Along
the fish pond they planted
1500 coconut trees and hired
10 people as farm-help.
He said that his fish farm
has 18 kinds of fish and
there are more than two
million fish being reared
for sale. Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone strikes a gong on Thursday to officially open the
In 2022-2023, Mr That Luang Festival and Trade Fair and launch Visit Laos Year 2024. The ceremony
Khamchanh’s family sold took place at the That Luang esplanade in Vientiane and was attended by ministers,
4.8 tonnes of fish, the foreign ambassadors and members of various organisations.
remainder were used to
produce fingerlings.
He said that some traders
come directly to his farm
to buy fish and some fish
are transported to Khong
district market for sale.
They are also retail at some
markets in Champassak and
neighbouring provinces.
Mr Khamchanh’s family
is preparing to dig another
30 fish ponds to rear more
fish. They will make fish
food too and have invested
around 15.8 billion kip.
--Pasaxon,
November 22

Xayaboury grows Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone and other government leaders visit booths selling

soybean for export locally made goods, following the opening of the That Luang festival.

Ngeun district of Xayaboury province has started to sow soybean on 149 hectares for
export to China.
According to information from the Agriculture and Forestry office of Ngeun, the
district has suitable land to grow wet and dry seasons crops and a private company is
investing in growing soybean for export to China.
The company started growing soybean crops in October and its officials are focusing
on cleaning irrigation dams and preparing soil on 149 hectares. The sowing will be
completed by next month.
This is the first time that a company has opted to grow soybean in Ngeun and hired
land from locals in seven villages for a period of four months.
This move will help support the agriculture sector and provide jobs for local villagers
in Ngeun to improve their living standards and take steps to eradicate poverty in the future.
Agricultural production is an important way to help local villagers in Ngeun so that
they have enough food for domestic consumption and for sale.
--Laoedaily.com.la, November 22

Kaysone Phomvihane police

arrests five drug dealers Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone and his officials view Lao products on display at
the trade fair set up as part of the That Luang festival.

The police personnel from the public security office of Kaysone Phomvihane city in
Savannakhet province have arrested five drug dealers.
The deputy head of the public security office of Kaysone Phomvihane city, Lieutenant
Colonel Kalathone Phomthilard, said that recently police officers solved a case relating
to drug dealers at two points along the area of Xork village.
Lieutenant Colonel Kalathone added that at the first point a drug dealer named Mr
Sengphanya, 28, a resident of Xork was arrested.
Police seized 17 amphetamine tablets, one mobile phone, 1.4 million kip and 300
baht from him.
He said at the second point they arrested two drug dealers named Mr Sysavanh, 45,
a resident of Xork, seized 319 amphetamine tablets, 540,000 kip and one mobile phone
from him and Mr Keota, a resident of Xork, 42, seized seven amphetamine pills, 60,000
kip and one mobile phone from him.
Lieutenant Colonel Kalathone said that police officers investigated three drug dealers
and have nabbed two more drug dealers from the same group.
Mr Sengphanya confessed that he had been buying drugs from Ms Mai, 30, a resident
of Phonsaard village in Kaysone Phomvihane city. Police officers traced and arrested Ms
Mai, as she was riding a motorcycle along with Mr Khong, 37, a resident of Thahae village
in Kaysone Phomvihane. The duo tried to escape, said Lieutenant Colonel Kalathone.
But police officers chased them and the two fell off the bike. Police arrested them and
seized six amphetamine tablets from their person. This case is being further investigated Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone, his officials and members of the business
by police officers. community attend the opening of the trade fair, which is open to the public throughout
--Laophattana News, November 22 the That Luang festival.
Vientiane Times
World news in brief
Overdose deaths
increase in US
pregnant, postpartum
women
LOS ANGELES (Xinhua)
-- Overdose deaths
increased in American
pregnant and postpartum
women from early 2018
to late 2021, according to
a new study published on
Wednesday.
Among those aged 35 to
44, overdose mortality
more than tripled during
this period, according to
the study by researchers
with the US National
Institute on Drug Abuse at
the US National Institutes
of Health. Over 60 percent
of these pregnancy-
associated overdose deaths
occurred outside healthcare
settings, though often in
counties with available
healthcare resources, such
as emergency and obstetric
care, according to the
study published in JAMA
Psychiatry.
Perth bushfire live
updates: Homes
lost as firefighters
continue to battle
massive Wanneroo
blaze
(ABC) -- Firefighters
are continuing to battle a
massive bushfire raging
through suburbs in Perth’s
north that has destroyed
homes, property and other
infrastructure, in the midst
of a severe unseasonal
November heatwave.
WA’s Deputy Premier Rita
Saffioti and fire authorities
are giving an official
update on the unfolding
situation.
Israel plans to resume
offensive in Gaza
after hostage release:
spokesperson
JERUSALEM (Xinhua)
-- Israel announced on
Wednesday that it will
resume its offensive in the
Gaza Strip immediately
after the implementation
of the newly clinched truce
deal to release hostages.
“We are at war with
Hamas, a war that was
launched with the Oct. 7
Hamas’ massacre and that
will continue,” said Eylon
Levy, spokesperson for the
Israeli government, during
a press conference.
Levy said that the war
will “immediately”
resume after the full
implementation of the
truce deal and the release
of the hostages planned
under the agreement.
Capuava oil refinery owned by Petrobras sits in Maui, on the outskirts of Sao Paulo, Brazil,
Monday, November 6, 2023. --Photo AP
To save the climate, the oil and gas sector must
slash planet-warming operations, report says
(AP) -- The oil and gas
sector, one of the major
emitters of planet-warming
gases, will need a rapid
and substantial overhaul
for the world to avoid even
worse extreme weather
events fueled by human-
caused climate change,
a c c o r d i n g to a report
released Thursday.
The current investment
of US$800 billion a year
in the oil and gas sector
will need to be cut in half
and greenhouse emissions,
which result from the
burning of fossil fuels
like oil, will need to fall
by 60 percent to give the
world a fighting chance
to meet its climate goals,
the International Energy
Agency said. Greenhouse
gases go up into the
atmosphere and heat the
planet, leading to several
impacts, including extreme
weather events.
The IEA’s report comes
just ahead of the United
Nations climate conference,
or COP28, which begins
next week. Oil and gas
companies, as well as other
people and organisations
connected to fossil fuels,
often attend the meeting,
drawing criticism from
environmentalists an d
climate experts. But others
say the sector needs to be at
Vietnam ready to...
education and training, human
resource development, and
strengthened communications
among the young generation
about the great relationship,
special solidarity and
partnership between Vietnam
and Laos.
The two ministers highly
appreciated the ministerial-
level cooperation developed
on the basis of the cooperation
agreement between the two
foreign ministries for the
2021-25 period. They also
agreed to continue maintaining
the table to discuss how to
transition to cleaner energy.
“The oil and gas industry
is facing a moment of truth at
COP28 in Dubai,” said Fatih
Birol, executive director of
the IEA in a press statement
on the report’s release. “Oil
and gas producers need to
make profound decisions
about their future place in
the global energy sector.”
Last year ’s climate
conference in Egypt saw 400
people connected with fossil
fuel industries attending
the event, according to an
analysis by The Associated
Press. The upcoming
meeting has also come
under fire for appointing
the chief of the Abu Dhabi
National Oil Company as
the talks’ president.
The energy sector is
responsible for over two-
thirds of all human activity-
related greenhouse gas
emissions, and oil and gas
is responsible for about half
of those, according to the
IEA. Oil and gas companies
are also responsible for
over 60 percent of methane
emissions — a gas that traps
about 87 times more heat
than carbon dioxide on a
20-year timescale.
Oil and gas companies
can find alternative
revenue from the clean
energy economy, including
FROM PAGE 1
and promoting periodic
cooperation mechanisms such
as the action programme to
strengthen diplomatic and
economic cooperation for the
2020-25 period; cooperation
programme to train and foster
officials working in foreign
affairs and international
integration.
The two sides informed
each other about each country’s
foreign policy, and affirmed
to continue to proactively
share information, exchange
views and coordinate stances
hydrogen and hydrogen-
based fuels and carbon
capture technologies, the
report said. Both clean
hydrogen — made from
renewable electricity — and
carbon capture — which
takes carbon dioxide out
of the atmosphere — are
currently untested at scale.
The report looked at
climate promises made
by countries as well as a
scenario where the world
had reached net zero
emissions by 2050. It found
that if countries deliver on
all climate pledges, demand
for oil and gas will be 45
percent lower than today’s
level by 2050. If the world
reaches net zero by then,
demand would be down 75
percent, it said.
Earlier this year, another
IEA report found that the
world’s oil, gas and coal
demand will likely peak by
the end of this decade.
Vibhuti Garg, a New
Delhi-based energy analyst
with the Institute for Energy
Economics and Financial
Analysis, said that the need
for oil and gas is “bound to
decline.”
“There are cheaper
alternatives that are cleaner,
so countries will start using
those options and reduce
their reliance on these
expensive fuels,” she said.
at all channels and levels,
contributing to improving
international position of each
country.
The two sides agreed to
closely coordinate and support
each other at multilateral
forums, especially in ASEAN
and Mekong sub-region
cooperation mechanisms as
well as advocate ASEAN’s
common stance on strategic
issues in the region, including
the East Sea (internationally
known as South China Sea)
issue.
Hamas reveals...
Moussa Abu Marzouk told Al
Jazeera on Wednesday that the
cease-fire in Gaza will begin
at 10:00 a.m. local time (0800
GMT) on Thursday.
The hostages will be
released in smaller groups
over a span of four days,
during which “there will be
a pause in the fighting,” said
the statement from Israeli
Prime Minister Benjamin
Netanyahu’s office, adding
that the release of every
additional 10 hostages will
result in one additional day
in the pause. A Hamas source
told Xinhua that Hamas and
Israel were still finalising
on Wednesday night their
respective swap list that would
be handed to each other.
According to the source,
the two sides would pause
fighting simultaneously when
the time comes, and Hamas
would send the first batch
of hostages to Red Cross
personnel. The latter would
then transfer them onward
to Israel after the Israeli side
confirmed their identities,
after which the Israeli side
would release a batch of
Palestinian prisoners to their
residences in the West Bank.
Under the agreement, more
truckloads of humanitarian
aid, medicine, and fuel will be
allowed to enter Gaza through
the Rafah border crossing
with Egypt. Israel would also
pause aerial surveillance on
Gaza for six hours starting 10
a.m. local time daily.
Had the cease-fire and
swap deal been commenced,
it would be the first step to
suspend hostilities between
the two sides since the start
of the conflict.
Israeli newspaper Times
of Israel reported earlier in
the day that the cease-fire
might extend for 10 days to
allow for the release of up
to 300 Palestinian prisoners
in exchange for 100 Israeli
People conduct rescue work among the rubble of buildings
destroyed in Israeli airstrikes in the southern Gaza Strip city of
Rafah, on November. 22, 2023.
Friday November 24, 2023 5
World
FROM PAGE 1
hostages from Gaza.
Responding to the list
circulated among Israeli
media, Thaer Shriteh,
spokesman for the Prisoners
and Ex-Prisoners Affairs
Authority of the Palestine
Liberation Organisation, said
the list includes prisoners
with lengthy sentences and
those who have spent years
in Israeli prisons.
Palestinian sources
familiar with the affairs told
Xinhua that the published
list includes 221 names from
the West Bank, 74 from
Jerusalem, and five from
Gaza, and among them 47
were affiliated with Hamas.
Palestinian President
Mahmoud Abbas and the
PLO leadership welcomed the
humanitarian cease-fire deal
and appreciated the Qatari and
Egyptian efforts in this regard,
Hussein Al-Sheikh, secretary-
general of the PLO Executive
Committee said in a statement
on Wednesday.
He added, “We renew
the call for a comprehensive
halt to the Israeli aggression
against the Palestinian people,
the entry of humanitarian
aid, and the implementation
of a political solution based
on international legitimacy
leading to ending the
occupation and achieving
freedom, independence, and
sovereignty for the Palestinian
people.”
Israel has been carrying
out attacks on Gaza over the
past weeks to retaliate against
the Hamas surprise attack
on southern Israel on Oct. 7,
during which Hamas militants
killed about 1,200 people and
took more than 200 hostages.
A total of 14,532
Palestinians have died, more
than 35,000 others were
injured since the start of the
current Israel-Hamas conflict,
the Hamas-run government
media office said Wednesday.
6 Friday November 24, 2023 Vientiane Times

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Vientiane Times
Read more news at www.vientianetimes.org.la
Malaysian Ambassador to Laos visits the Malaysian
Advertorial Desk
Business in Savannakhet Province
The Ambassador of Malaysia
to Laos, Ambassador Edi
Irwan bin Mahmud, and his
delegation on November
21 visited the Savannakhet
Special Economic Zone C –
Savan Park and Savannakhet
Dry Port, Warm Welcome
by Mr Tee Chee Seng,
General Manager of Savan
Park, President of Malaysia
Business Chamber of Lao
PDR, after meeting with the
Governor of Savannakhet
province, Mr Bounchom
Ubonpaseuth.
The visit was arranged to
encourage further investment
in the zone, where Malaysian
businesses already have
operations, and to follow up
on their progress.
The Malaysian delegation
and Mr Bounchom
Ubonpaseuth were
welcomed by the Chief
Executive Officer of the
Savannakhet Dry Port, Mr
Jean Pierre Grzelczyk.
There are currently
nine Malaysian businesses
operating in Savannakhet
Special Economic Zone
C – Savan Park and it is
expected that more Malaysian
companies will set up
production sites in this area
in the future.
The visitors pose for a group photo after touring the premises Ambassador Malaysia take a group photo before dinner with October 16, 2019.
of Savan-DKLS Water Supply Co., Ltd.
Business
A group photo is taken at the Savannakhet Dry Port on Tuesday in recognition of a visit by the Malaysia Ambassador to
Laos and his delegation.
During the visit,
Ambassador Edi Irwan bin
Mahmud complimented the
Zone operators on their success
in attracting businesses to the
site, where 82 companies
now have premises, including
45 factories, 28 service
companies, and 9 commercial
enterprises.
The delegation also visited
a water supply company
owned by DKLS Industries
Berhad of Malaysia, named
Savan DKLS, as well as
a facility in Savannakhet
province where clothes are
coloured with natural dyes,
the Malaysian Residence in Savannakhet.
named Vavisa Blue Indigo,
and had dinner at the Chez
Vanson Restaurant.
The Special Economic
Zone is attracting more visitors
to Savannakhet and boosting
the province’s economic and
investment growth, giving
it a reputation as a sound
investment destination.
The Savannakhet Special
Economic Zone (Savan
Park Zone C) is strategically
located on the East-West
Economic Corridor (EWEC)
and was developed from 234
hectares of wasteland into an
industrial, commercial and
logistics hub.
Through the strategic
location setup of the EWEC
by the Japan International
Cooperation Agency
(JICA), the Savan Park SEZ
fulfilled the potential for the
development of the site into a
free trade industrial zone.
Malaysia Ambassador (left) meets with the Governor of
Savannakhet province on November 21.
Plenty of companies in the
skilled labour is available
region are now considering
for the increasing number
investing in Laos because
of investors, as well as
of the incentives offered, the
providing jobs for local
country’s political stability,
people, Savannakhet Dry Port
the relative lack of extreme
partnered with Savannakhet
weather events, low initial
University to open the
investment cost, and the low
Academic Learning Centre
or zero import duty paid
for Logistics and Transport
by importing countries on
in 2022.
products that are “Made in
The centre has been
Laos”. training students to work in
To ensure that sufficient
the logistics sector.
The Savannakhet Special
Economic Zone was the first
SEZ to be established in Laos
and the Savannakhet Dry Port
was the first approved dry
port to be acknowledged by
UNESCAP.
Former President
Bounnhang Vorachit signed a
ratification of the Savannakhet
Dry Port to comply with
UNESCAP requirements on
The dry port is located
7
Friday November 24, 2023
on the East-West Economic
Corridor at a distance of
1,450km from Vietnam.
The Corridor passes through
Savannakhet province
and Thailand and ends in
Mawlamyine, Myanmar, from
where links to the Andaman
Sea and the South China Sea
are possible.
The Savannakhet Special
Economic Zone is part of the
Greater Mekong Sub-Region
development programme.
A total of 82 companies
are currently registered in
the Savan Park SEZ Zone
C, paying a sizeable amount
of taxes to the government
and helping to raise the
living standards of the
local community, as well as
boosting exports.
The total value of imports
in 2023 was recorded at
US$140,480,327.8 while
the value of exports rose to
US$160,711,221.9, according
to figures updated last month.
The record for
imports in 2022 was
US$200,783,102.63, with
the value of exports rising to
US$207,145,947.38.
The value of transit
cargo passing through the
Savannakhet Dry Port in
2022 was estimated at
US$5,929,965,550 and, as of
October this year, the value
of transit cargo reached
US$5,595,773,805.
Savan Park is fully
protected by a Prime
Minister ’s Decree that
was approved in 2003 to
generate investment in
the Savannakhet Special
Economic Zone. Operations
at the Zone are in full
compliance with this decree
and investors are confident
in its effectiveness.
Savan Park was
established in 2008 as the
first SEZ in Laos. The
Special Economic Zone was
later upgraded, becoming
the Savannakhet Special
Economic Zone Authority
(SEZA) and providing a one
stop-service to all investors in
the zone.
8 Business Friday November 24, 2023
Panelists hold a discussion on the theme “Art & Culture Preservation for Sustainable
Tourism: GBA- Asean Collaborations in Heritage Conservation” during the Greater Bay
Area Conference 2023 in Hong Kong, China on November 22, 2023.
GBA-Asean ties to lift tourism
(China Daily ) -- The Greater
Bay Area (GBA) and the
Association of Southeast
Asian Nations (Asean)
can deepen cooperation in
heritage conservation to
jointly promote sustainable
tourism, officials and
experts said at a conference
on November 22.
“The Greater Bay Area is
one of the centers of China’s
economy,” said Darany
Phommavongsa, director
general of the Tourism
Management Department
of the Lao Ministry of
Information, Culture, and
Tourism.
Laos stands ready to
work closely with other
Asean member states and
the bloc’s dialogue partners,
in particular China and
its GBA city cluster, said
Darany.
She was speaking at
a panel themed “Art and
Culture Preservation for
Sustainable Tourism: GBA-
Asean Collaborations in
Heritage Conservation”
during the Greater Bay Area
Conference held in Hong
Kong.
The conference was
co-organised by China
Daily and the Hong Kong
Coalition.
Laos is set to become
Asean chair next year
and the “Visit Laos Year
2024” tourism promotion
campaign will also be rolled
out, Darany said.
She said the ministry
looks forward to exchanging
experiences on heritage
conservation to learn from
each other and to make
full use of the region’s rich
cultural heritage resources
aimed at promoting
sustainable tourism.
Darany noted that the
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--Photo Parker Zheng/China Daily
China-Laos Railway will
also help facilitate tourism
exchange within Asean.
Ma Jin, deputy general
manager in charge of the
Cultural Tourism Product
Development Center of
China Travel International
Investment HK, highlighted
the company’s preservation
of the Zuojiang Huashan
Rock Art Cultural
Landscape in Southwest
China’s Guangxi Zhuang
autonomous region.
The largest collection of
rock art discovered in China
so far has over 2,000 years
of history and was listed as
a UNESCO World Heritage
Site in 2016.
“Culture and art is a
bridge for communication,”
said Ma, noting cultural
heritage sites such as the
Zuojiang Huashan Rock Art
Cultural Landscape can also
serve to connect China with
Southeast Asia.
Chinese relics such as
the bronze drum unearthed
in countries like Vietnam,
Myanmar, and Thailand are
proof of the longstanding
cultural communication
between the two sides, Ma
added.
Based on its strengths
in the conservation and
development of cultural
tourism resources, Ma said
her company is willing to
promote cultural and tourism
cooperation between the
GBA and Asean.
Brian Yuen, deputy
director of museum
operations of the Hong Kong
Palace Museum(HKPM),
said there are three key
principles when it comes
to GBA-Asean cooperation
in sustainable tourism
and cultural heritage
conservation — product,
process, and people.
Opened to the public
in July 2022, the HKPM
presents over 900 treasures
from the Palace Museum in
Beijing and has welcomed
more than 1.7 million
visitors so far.
Yuen said it is important
to make the exhibition
products relevant to those
who do not know about the
culture while also engaging
local people and artists, as
well as different segments of
the tourism industry, in the
promotion process.
“ We n e e d t o b r i n g
in ambassadors who
are passionate about the
culture,” Yuen said of his
proposal.
Yuen noted that a team
of a few hundred volunteers
contributed a total of 30,000
volunteer hours to help the
HKPM.
UNESCO Chair of
Sustainable Tourism in
UNESCO Designated Sites
Zhang Chaozhi said it is
important to find the right
balance between tourism
development and heritage
conservation.
Organisation is key,
Zhang said. “Since we have
to deal with so many tourists
… we have to enhance our
ability of management first.”
According to Zhang, it
is also necessary to discuss
the tolerance of locals to the
commercial environment
because people of different
cultures and at different
stages of development will
have different levels of
tolerance for tourism.
Desmond Hui, professor
and head of the Art and
Design Department of the
Hang Seng University of
Hong Kong, moderated the
panel.
2024 inflation seen
slowing to 2-4 percent
MANILA (Philippine
Daily Inquirer/ANN) --
Inflation in the Philippines is
expected to decelerate next
year into the Bangko Sentral
ng Pilipinas’ target range of
2 percent to 4 percent.
This is according to
Goldman Sachs, which
based its forecast on
expectations that energy
and food prices will remain
well below the peaks seen
last year.
“Inflation should
continue to decline across
most of emerging markets,”
Goldman Sachs said in a
report. “As in developed
markets, we forecast a
large disinflation of about
2-percentage points (full-
year average basis) in 2024
in emerging markets.”
Also, Goldman Sachs
expects that upward price
pressures on goods would
ease as supply chain
bottlenecks have largely
been resolved.
On the labor front, the
American financial services
group thinks that markets
would remain tight in many
Sugar prices to surge towards
the end of the year:VSSA
HANOI (Vietnam News)
-- Sugar could become
more expensive during the
remaining months of 2023,
according to the Vietnam
Sugarcane and Sugar
Association (VSSA).
Data from the Vietnam
Commodity Exchange
(MXV) showed global
sugar prices had reached
US$161 per tonne in nearly
November, a 150 per cent
increase compared to the
beginning of the year,
marking the highest price
in the last 12 years.
Industry experts said a
decrease in supply as India
and Thailand, two of the two
largest producers, lowered
their output was the main
factor behind recent price
hikes.
Thành Thành Cong-Bien
Haa JSC, a major sugar
producer in Vietnam with
a 46 percent market share,
said the company’s revenue
increased to VND5.9
trillion (US$245.8
million) during the first
three quarters of 2023, a
nearly 20 per cent increase
compared to the same
period in the previous year,
fetching VND663 billion in
pre-tax profit.
After-tax profit, however,
plummeted by 17 per cent as
the company struggled with
high interest rates, paying
out over VND444 billion
on interest payments,
almost double the amount
recorded in 2022.
Lam Sơn Sugar
reported its highest growth,
economies, as “‘catch-up’
wage increases from the
highest inflation period of
the pandemic appears to
have been implemented for
the most part.”
Based on their data, the
consensus forecast among
analysts is a full-year
print of 3.7 percent for the
Philippines in 2024.
Goldman Sachs’ own
forecast is 4.2 percent,
which is above the target
band albeit better than the
BSP’s own forecast of 4.4
percent.
Rate cuts in 2024
On interest rates, the
American group expects
most Asian central banks
to keep policy rates
unchanged for most of 2024,
considering that inflation is
moderating and the United
States Federal Reserve
is signaling a higher-for-
longer stance.
“We think BI [Bank
of Indonesia] and BSP
will likely be the first in
the region to cut policy
rates late next year, with a
reduction of 25bp [or 0.25
Sugarcane production in the central province of Quang Ngai.
--Photo Hoai Nam/VNA/VNS
VND471 billion in revenue
and VND17 billion in
profit, a 55 percent and
11 3 p e r c e n t i n c r e a s e ,
respectively compared to
the same period in 2022.
In an earlier development,
Lam Sơn Sugar announced
a plan to import 40,000
tonnes of raw sugar this
year, as part of an effort
to meet their annual target.
Sơn La Sugar also
reported strong growth
with a revenue of VND431
billion and profit of
V N D 11 9 b i l l i o n , a n
increase of 26 percent and
47 percent respectively,
compared to the period last
year. An effort to reduce
financial costs by Sơn La
Sugar has yielded stronger
profits and was on its way
to meeting this year ’s
fiscal target.
Quang Ngai Sugar
reported an after-tax profit
of VND506 billion for the
third quarter of 2023, a 60
percent increase compared
Vientiane Times
percentage point] each in
the fourth quarter as they
have tightened the most,”
Goldman Sachs said.
Following last week’s
BSP decision to keep policy
rates unchanged, analysts
now see the benchmark
keeping steady until the
third quarter of 2024.
In their policy meeting
on Nov. 16, the Monetary
Board maintained the BSP’s
policy rate at 6.5 percent,
citing a moderation of their
inflation outlook over the
2023-2025 forecasting
horizon.
This followed an off-
cycle increase of 0.25
percentage point that was
announced last Oct. 26,
when policy makers noted
that the risks to their outlook
continued to be significantly
on the upside.
This led non-BSP
analysts to the observation
that the BSP remains
hawkish despite a renewed
pause on monetary policy
tightening cycle, regarded as
one of the most aggressive
in the region.
to the same period last
year but slightly lower
than their performance
during the first and second
quarters of 2023.
In total, Quang Ngai
Sugar reported a total
revenue of VND7.74
trillion during the first
nine months of the year,
an increase of 23 percent
compared to the same
period last year, with sugar
being the strongest growth
driver for the company,
fetching VND3.12 trillion
in revenue and VND1.26
trillion in gross profit.
With just a few months
left before the end of
2023, the price of sugar
will likely increase due to
higher demand, typically
s e e n t o w a r d s t h e Te t
(Lunar New Year) Holiday.
Meanwhile, inventory has
been running low for some
time, prompting experts to
anticipate difficulties on
the supplier’s side in the
domestic market.
Vientiane Times Friday November 24, 2023 9

Section VI. BIDDING ANNOUNCEMENT

BIDDING No. KOICALAO-2023-11-2

The Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) Office in Lao PDR invites all interested
companies to participate in the process of Open International Competitive Bidding for the
Purchase of Goods for GEVAW center (the Project on Prevention and Elimination of Violence
against Women for Mainstreaming Gender into the National Development Agenda in Lao PDR
(P- EVAW 2020-2024))

1. Bid Description
● Title of the Bid: Purchase of Goods for GEVAW center (the Project on Prevention and
Elimination of Violence against Women for Mainstreaming Gender into the National
Development Agenda in Lao PDR (P-EVAW 2020-2024))
● Duration of the contract (Delivery terms): 50 days from the signing of the contract
● Place of delivery of the Bid proposal: KOICA office in Lao PDR. 3rd Floor, Vientiane
Plaza Hotel, Sailom Road, Hatsady-neua Village, Chanthabouly District, Vientiane
Capital, Lao PDR
● Place of delivery of the good: Dongpayna road, Saphanthong Neua Village, Sisattanak
District, Vientiane Capital, P.O. Box: 59
● Scope of work: Purchasing IT devices (computers, refrigerators, multifunction printers,
beam projects, TV, etc.), delivery of vehicles to a designated location (the supplier is
responsible for all expenses including transportation, equipment installation, insurance,
customs clearance fee, etc.), provision of manuals in Lao language, management training
for the users, and repairing of defects for 1 year.
● Maximum limit of budget: USD 25,496 (VAT excluded).

2. Type of Bid
● Open competitive bidding

3. Selection and announcement of the successful bidder

● Qualifying offers with the lowest price will be preferred.
● The winning bidder will be the one who offers the lowest price (not less than 84.245%
of the budget allocated for the bidding) and obtains an evaluation score of 85 points or
more.

4. Qualifications of the bidders

Companies that wish to participate in the bidding must meet the following minimum
requirements.
● Have submitted all the requested documents to KOICA office in Lao PDR following
the bidding schedule.
● Not be prohibited from participating in the sale of goods in Lao PDR.
● Present the “Certificate of tax compliance issued by the government of Lao PDR”.
● The bidding company must present its financial information reference (index of solvency
and indebtedness) of the last 5 years.
● The bidding company cannot participate in the Bid jointly with another company
(consortiums are not allowed).

5. Language to be used for the Bid

● All documents must be in English. However, bidders may submit documents in
Lao language with an attached English translation. If there is any discrepancy in
interpretation, the English version will overrule.
6. Bidding timeline

7. Contact information
KOICA Office in Lao PDR
● Address: 3rd Floor, Vientiane Plaza Hotel, Sailom Road, Hatsady-neua Village,
Chanthapouly Distirct, P.O.Box 10822, Vientiane Capital, Lao PDR
● Telephone: (+856) 21-263-331
● E-mail: laos@koica.go.kr

8. Other matters
● KOICA office in Lao PDR will not be responsible for any cost or expense incurred by
the companies interested in participation in the present Bid.
● This purchase is part of Official Development Assistance (ODA) between the Government
of the Republic of Korea and the Government of Lao PDR. According to the agreement
between both countries, there may be tax exemption and refund. KOICA does not have
any authority and responsibility for administrative affairs for handling tax exemption
and refund of taxes. The bidder should directly contact the Lao Women’s Union(LWU)
for tax exemption and refund related to the tax incurred. In all cases for tax purposes,
the bidder is responsible for the verification of the relevant procedures, preparation of
documents.
● If the provided information by the bidder (address, email, telephone, etc.) is not correct,
KOICA office in Lao PDR will not be responsible in case the bidder does not receive
any information related to the bidding process.
● It is expected that interested companies verify all institutions, forms, terms, and
specifications prepared for the bidding process.
● Failure to provide all required information in the bidding documents or at the time of
submitting the bid is entirely at the bidder’s risk and may result in rejection of the bid.
● The interested companies in this present process may find the detailed bidding
information in the following websites:
KOICA Office in Lao PDR: https://www.koica.go.kr/sites/lao_en
https://www.facebook.com/koica.laos
10 Friday November 24, 2023
West Sumatra, land of stunning landscapes,
culture and history
Ounkham Pimmata
West Sumatra may not be
as well known as some
other places in Indonesia,
but it is rich in history and
has a colourful culture and
stunning landscapes, and is
definitely well worth a visit.
Flying from Vientiane
in Laos to arrive in Padang
in the province of West
Sumatra, visitors will find
friendly people and an
interesting history, as well as
being able to inhale the fresh
smell of green hillsides,
admire the splendour of a
lake, and take in the local
street life.
Being the capital of West
Sumatra province, Padang is
popular among local tourists
and is considered to be
the biggest city in western
Sumatra. It also borders on
the Indian Ocean and its
varied landscape includes
beaches and highlands.
The region is also known
for its food, history, and
culture. First-timers are
recommended to hire a local
guide who can show them
around and provide detailed
information about the area.
Padang is famous for
its cuisine, which features
many delicious and spicy
dishes.
Visitors with an interest
in history should visit the
Adityawarman Museum,
which is officially known
as the State Museum of
West Sumatra. The museum
displays ethnographic items
related to the culture of the
province, especially the way
of life of the Minangkabau
and Mentawai ethnic groups.
Places of interest in
West Sumatra
The Mbah Soero tunnel
pit mine is also of interest
as it contains evidence of
coal mining tunnels used
in the past. These can be
explored, but it is suggested
you arrange a visit through
local authorities.
The Mbah Soero
tunnel is located in Tanah
Lapang, Lembah Segar,
Sawahlunto, West Sumatra.
This 185-metre long tunnel
was built during the time of
the Netherlands East Indies
government, in 1898.
From 1898 to 1932,
coal miners in Sawahlunto
used this tunnel. For the
purposes of tourism, the
local government renovated
the tunnel so that it is safe to
use and easy to access.
The renovations took
place from June to December
2007, and the tunnel was
opened as a tourist attraction
in April 2008, revealing the
coal roof and walls.
Visitors can also see the
Goedang Ransoem - a public
Adityawarman Museum,
A clock tower designed by a
Minangabau architect.
kitchen built in 1918 during
the Dutch colonial period.
The kitchen is equipped
with two large warehouses
and a steam generator that
cooked rice for the coal
miners every day, and it’s
possible to see the original
cooking utensils.
The Sawahlunto Railway
Museum explains the history
of trains in West Sumatra.
Construction of a railway
from Sawahlunto to Padang
began in 1889 to transport
coal from Sawahtunto to
the Emmahaven seaport,
now called the Teluk Bayur
seaport.
Pagaruyung Palace was
a royal palace and, although
no king or royal family
resides there today, it is still
held in high esteem among
the Minangkabau people.
The grand palace has
three storeys and 72 pillars,
while the horn-like curved
roof is made from 26 tons
of palm fibre.
The next place to visit
is Kubu Gadang tourism
village, located in Padang
Panjang, to see the many and
varied aspects of traditional
Feature
life that are well-preserved
to this day.
The icon of the village
is silek lanyah, a martial
art performed in the middle
of muddy paddy fields,
as well as the tradition of
bajamba, a large, shared
communal meal prepared
by the Minangkabau people
for ceremonial events and
festivals.
If you really want to
learn about local traditions,
it’s advisable to book a tour
so you don’t miss anything.
The village is located in
a charming area surrounded
by the beauty of nature,
comprising an array of
valleys and lush green
fields.
A bicycle or motorbike
ride to Geopark Maninjau
Lake is the perfect way to
enjoy the green landscape
and breathe in the fresh air.
Maninjau Lake is a
volcanic crater located
38 kilometres west of
Bukittinggi. The lake is
17km long and 8km at its
widest point and reaches
to depths of 480 metres in
some places. Situated at 461
metres above sea level, the
air is cool and pleasant.
It’s the perfect place
for an escapade, a bit of
relaxing, and experiencing
the local rural lifestyle by
visiting traditional farming
and fishing villages. You can
also enjoy a beautiful view
of the lake from Puncak
Lawang, a pine hill park that
surrounds the lake.
Other interesting
activities include travel on
what is known as the 44
Bends Road, which provides
another opportunity to enjoy
the forests and rice fields,
and you can also take a hike
in the hills.
If you visit Bukittinggi,
the must-see attraction is a
clock tower designed by a
Minangabau architect named
Vientiane Times
The icon of the Kubu Gadang tourism village is silek lanyah
show.
metal and cement frames learn about the history and
but is built from a mixture legends associated with the
of limestone, egg white and tunnel.
sand. How to get to West
Next on your itinerary Sumatra
Jazid Rajo Mangkuto Sutan should be a visit to the From Laos, you can
Gigi Ameh. Construction Japanese Tunnel in the book a flight from Vientiane
was completed in 1926 and Guguk Panjang sub-district to Bangkok and then from
was financed by the Dutch of Bukittinggi, which is Bangkok to Jakarta, and
Queen Wilhelmina as a gift so dark and spooky that from Jakarta to Padang in
to the city. people should reconsider West Sumatra province.
It stands 26 metres high if they are thinking of For more information,
in the middle of Sabai Nan exploring it alone. It’s you also can ask at
Aluih park and is considered much better to hire a tour Indonesian Embassy
a landmark. It is of interest guide, even if you’re not in Vientiane or email at
because it is not made of on your own. You will also ajik_padang@yahoo.co.id
ILSUNG Construction Co., Ltd. gives rice seed and organic and chemical fertiliser to
farmers in Savannakhet province.
ILSUNG Construction Co., Ltd. provides
rice seed, fertiliser for Savannakhet farmers
Advertorial Desk Those attending the ceremonies
included the Deputy Party Secretary
ILSUNG Construction Co., Ltd., the of Savannakhet province, Mr
main contractor for the Integrated Phouvang Kedkeophomphone;
Irrigated and Rural Development Project Champhone district Governor, Mr
(IARD) in Savannakhet province, has Vongsavanh Viengmany; Songkhone
provided rice seed and organic and district Governor, Mr Lamkhoun
chemical fertiliser for distribution to Vorlavong; Director of the Agriculture
farmers near the project area. and Forestry Department, Mr
The supplies were handed over on Khamchanh Sydavong; Acting Head
November 17 during two separate of the Department of Irrigation, Dr
ceremonies held in the province’s Khamphachanh Vongsana; National
Champhone and Songkone districts, Project Coordinator and Director of
which marked National Irrigation Day, the Laos-Korea Irrigation Development
National Animal Vaccination Day, and and Cooperation Centre, Mr Satthathep
Dry Season Production for 2023-24. Thammachak; Dasan-Yooshin
Some 18 tonnes of rice seed and Consultants and ILSUNG Construction
organic and chemical fertiliser was Co., Ltd.
given to the Champhone Agriculture The events also marked the launch of
and Forestry Office and another 20 irrigation operations using a temporary
tonnes to the Songkhone Agriculture pump in Thakhamlien village,
and Forestry Office so they could be Songkhone district and the official
distributed to farmers nearby the project opening of the Phonmouang Pumping
construction area. Station.
Vientiane Times Friday November 24, 2023 Feature 11

15 youths from five countries triumph at YSE range of ideas – from access
Sisouphan youths who are figuring out
Amphonephong their social impact journey.” to mental health services,
Mr Lian Wee Cheow, SIF to sustainable practices,
Six social enterprise teams Vice-Chairman and Lead educational equity, and
from five countries emerged Judge of YSE Global 2023 support for vulnerable
as winners at this year’s said: “Mentorship is a key communities. Many spoke
Young Social Entrepreneurs component of YSE Global. passionately on creating
(YSE) Global Programme Our YSE mentors, who are meaningful change in
organised by the Singapore industry leaders with vast society. I am humbled by
International Foundation experience, have committed their passion in wanting
(SIF). their time to share their to serve others, and their
The teams were expertise and networks with dedication in looking
represented by 15 youths our aspiring changemakers. beyond immediate needs
from China, India, This broadens the horizons to innovate solutions for
Indonesia, Laos, and of our young participants the wider community. This
Singapore. who are at an early, critical is no easy feat.”
T h ey pr es ented the juncture of their journey as Mr Lai Hoi Bing, co-
strongest business ideas a social entrepreneur.” founder of Homepal from
that addressed social Young Social Entrepreneurs break record for total number of hours committed by volunteer He added: “Since Singapore, said: “YSE
and environmental mentors. 2010, YSE Global has Global has been a positive
causes including mental been nurturing a growing and enriching experience
health services, water Mentorship support to October. The volunteer and closing event for YSE. network, which now like no other. The business
conservation, the provision began at the YSE mentors comprised leading During this event, the comprises more than 1,400 clinics and training
of skills and technology for Global 2023 Workshop business consultants from teams presented their youths of 43 nationalities, workshops have provided
underserved communities, held from 7 to 10 June. McKinsey & Company, refined business plans to a representing 674 social my team with relevant skills
and women empowerment. The mentors comprised Temasek International, Bain panel of judges to secure enterprises. By providing and knowledge such as the
The YSE Global business professionals & Company, and seasoned funding. mentorship, capacity- use of the social enterprise
Programme also enjoyed the and established social industry professionals. Ms Mahdiyyah Ardhina, building workshops, business model canvas tool
highest level of mentorship entrepreneurs and they During this four-month a member of Rumah Briket and regional learning to refine our go-to market
support in its 14-year helped 46 teams to phase, the volunteer mentors and YSE 2023 participant opportunities, YSE strategy and social impact
history. strengthen their business played a crucial role in from Indonesia said: “YSE supports budding social calculation. We hope to
A total of 82 volunteer fundamentals and strategies. guiding participants on Global has been an intensive entrepreneurs to kickstart apply these new learnings to
mentors spent more than A total of 15 teams running a social enterprise. boot camp for our team as their journey.” propel our social enterprise
330 hours working with from the June workshop They also helped prepare we are still new in our Wi n n i n g Te a m s to the next level. We look
participant teams this year, advanced to the next the teams for an event business. We thank our Announced at YSE Global forward to scaling up our
a 32 per cent increase in phase of the programme called Pitching for Change, mentors for their experience 2023 - Pitching for Change social enterprise with the
hours compared to the and were assigned up to scheduled for November, and input. They have been Six out of the 15 grant.” HomePal is a social
previous year. three mentors from July which serves as the finale invaluable these past few shortlisted teams were enterprise from Singapore
months. They imparted announced as winners when and China that supports
critical knowledge based they gathered virtually at the elderly through the
on years of professional Pitching for Change on development of an Internet
experience and provided 17 November. They were of Things (IoT) system
fresh perspectives on our chosen based on the impact using privacy-preserving
business plans.” and scalability of their home monitoring and safety
Website Developer needed! Rumah Briket created business ideas, as well as solutions.
a zero-waste solution that their commitment level. Ms Manithip
processes organic and non- They are (in alphabetical Vongphachanh, co-founder
The Lao Journalists’ Association (LJA) is looking for an organic waste and converts order): of LeLao from Laos, was
experienced website development company to create the LJA it into charcoal briquettes Anubhuti Samiti (India) inspired by other YSE
website for “Green Action through Media, Mass Organization and and paving blocks. China House (China) Global teams. She said: “The
Dr Yoke Pean Thye, HomePal (Singapore programme introduced me
Civil Society in Laos (GAMCIL) project.”
co-founder of WISE, a and China) to a global network of like-
non-profit organisation that LeLao (Laos) minded peers who are doing
Main responsibilities will include: works towards a sustainable ReservoAir (Indonesia) amazing work to make a
- Website design and development, website management, and equitable Southeast Rumah Briket positive difference for the
Domain name registration and website hosting, NS & DNS, Asia, and mentor to Rumah (Indonesia) society. My favourite part
Briket, said: “It has been Each team was awarded of the programme was when
CPanel user account, SSL Certificate. my privilege to support the funding of up to S$20,000 we exchanged ideas and
- Develop E-learning platform. team. to launch or scale up their learned new facts about our
- Facilitate training courses for project staffs. Having benefited from social enterprises. A mentor respective communities.
a YSE Regional workshop will be assigned to guide I felt less alone and more
myself several years them on how to use the inspired to keep pursuing
Interested and qualified applicants are encouraged to submit A our work in empowering
ago, I am grateful for the funds and to support their
lump sum quotation in Lao Kips including fee for website and opportunity to give back development for the next vulnerable communities
e-learning platform development, fee for website’s domain name and help Rumah one-and-a-half years. through eco fashion.”
and server hosting (end February 2027), server storage for Briket reflect on and Mr Eric Chua, Senior LeLao’s employees produce
refine their business model. Parliamentary Secretary, affordable and sustainable
information, company’s background and the CV of the person who fashion products recycled
I was heartened and inspired Singapore’s Ministry of
will be working on the website and self-study platform, company’s by their passion to address Culture, Community and from fabric waste and the
portfolios or examples of similar works to info@vientianetimes. the waste management crisis Youth & Ministry of Social products are designed to
la and to LAO.jobs@care.org by 17:00 of 15th December 2023 in Indonesia, dedication to and Family Development, showcase the rich cultural
their social enterprise and was the Guest of heritage of Laos.
the deadline. The YSE Global
benefiting the community, Honour at the event. In
as well as motivation to learn his speech, heapplauded programme seeks to inspire,
For Term of Reference of consulting service to develop Lao and challenge themselves.” the determination of the equip, and enable youth
Journalists Association Website, please visit She also encouraged teams who tackled tough of different nationalities
more people to sign up as problemswith creativity and to launch or scale up
www.vientianetime.org.la their social enterprises in
mentors for YSE Global. resilience.
She said: “It is a He said: “These teams Singapore and beyond. The
This publication was produced with the financial support of the European meaningful avenue for advocated for social causes programme is chronicled
Union. Its contents are the sole responsibility of Lao Journalists Association people who are keen to they care deeply about. on social media with the
and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union. share their experience with They presented an exciting hashtag #sifyse.
12 Friday November 24, 2023 Vientiane Times
Opinion

Stre
e t w ise
What should we do today to ensure
gender equality in the future?
To mark the annual 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, this year’s UN Global
Theme focuses on efforts to stop violence against women and girls. The government is working to
promote gender equality by encouraging women to participate in all areas of life, promoting women’s
rights and speaking out against the violence inflicted upon women and girls. Vientiane Times asked
women how they felt their role in life could be strengthened.
Lamphone Pasanthong Vientiane: The role of into practice. Women and hold on to their by creating projects that and have children instead
women is being promoted should be encouraged traditional beliefs. In support gender equality and of wanting to further
Ms Chansamai in countries the world to speak out, share their addition, women work carrying out field studies in their education, because
Vongmanichan, a resident over. It is important that ideas, and contribute to hard to earn a living, they have been taught
of Sisattanak district, the role of women is politics in the same way while women from some this repeatedly by their
enhanced by teaching as men. But some women ethnic groups still face parents. But without an
people about gender lack confidence because violence and violation education and lacking
equality, both in towns they have been brought of their rights by men. information, they are
and rural areas. After up to believe that men are limited and are unlikely
gaining understanding more powerful. to think differently. I
of this important aspect encourage every family
of life, people should be Ms Choun and organisation to do
closely monitored by the Sengkhamphai, a resident more to support women.
authorities and conferences of Saravan province: Most
held to discuss solutions, women in remote areas Ms Lathdavane, an
which should then be put still have little education employee in Xaysettha
district, Vientiane:
Although the government
Vientiane Times Subscription 2023 various areas to help women has passed a law on gender
in the right way. We should
1. DOMESTIC SUBSCRIPTION (5 issues/week) and online fee create opportunities for all
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Home Delivery (City Centre) 66 issues (3 months) 429,000k +200,000k 629,000k
given more freedom. It assistance programmes for
Area: Thadeua Rd. Dongdok, would be good if they poor women. I was lucky
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Ban Tanmixay and Sikhay had access to more enough to have these kinds
villages. 264 issues (1 year) 1,716,000k +200,000k 1,916,000k
information, especially of opportunities. I was
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bodies concerned should
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a student at the National
the laws and regulations still treated unfairly. For
Thailand, Vietnam,
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that protect women, University of Laos: I example, after marriage
Cambodia women seem to work
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including their rights.
All women need to be sure that women have harder than men in terms
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matters. And women knowledge and further go out with their friends
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Vientiane Times Friday November 24, 2023 Opinion 13

Unmasking fraudsters: Combating the

emerging threat of deepfake fraud
JAKARTA (The Jakarta substantial growth, a 128 of Indonesia’s gross domestic challenges if Indonesia is to
Post/ANN) -- Indonesia’s percent increase, is attributed product (GDP) by 2027. This fulfill its digital and economic
digital economy is projected to the widespread adoption rapid pace of digitalization potential.
to hit Rp 3.216 quadrillion of technology across various positions Indonesia on track One of the fastest-growing
(US$210 billion) by 2027, as sectors. to become one of the world’s threats we have observed is
reported by the Indonesian It is anticipated that the top 10 economies by 2030. the rapid rise in bad actors
Chamber of Commerce digital economy will account However, digital fraud poses taking advantage of the latest
and Industry (Kadin). This for approximately 14 percent one of the most significant advances in AI-generated
content (AIGC) technology.
Increasingly, fraudsters
VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT are targeting specific areas
JICA LAOS OFFICE within the digital customer
boarding journeys by creating
Officer in Infrastructure Sector, or manipulating deepfake
content (facial photos and
Implementation Section videos) to create realistic
Founded in 1974, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) is an digital impersonations of Illustration of deepfake video.
executive agency of Official Development Assistance (ODA) Programs of individuals to bypass identity
the Government of Japan in 3 main schemes: Technical Assistance, Grant verification measures and These “presentation human-driven interactions,
Assistance and Yen Loans. JICA’s activities focus on infrastructure development, gain unauthorized access to attacks” may employ physical and spikes and flag potential
strengthening organizations, and promoting human resource development in sensitive financial services. or digital objects such attacks. Fourth is multi-factor
order to enable developing countries to pursue their own sustainable socio- This ranges from digital as photos, detailed masks, authentication (MFA). Add
economic development. bank account opening, loan digitally created images, or a layers of security with multi-
applications, credit card video presented on a screen factor authentication that
JICA Laos Office is currently looking for an eligible Lao National for the position applications, or making in front of the smartphone combine biometric checks with
of Infrastructure Sector in the Implementation Section. e-commerce transactions, or laptop camera. A more additional factors such as one-
posing a significant potential advanced fraud type, frame time passwords (OTPs) and
(1) Main Duties and Responsibilities for the officer in the Implementation financial and reputational injection, uses fraudulent data device fingerprinting. Fifth,
Section risk to both individuals and streams between the capture machine learning-based fraud
1) Liaising and/or negotiating with government and local authorities, organisations. Nowadays, it is device (such as a webcam or detection.
development partners such as international organizations and NGOs, increasingly easy to download microphone) and the biometric Utilise machine learning
and the private sector in Lao PDR, Japan and ASEAN countries. photos of someone’s face or identifier. The fraudster hacks a to identify fraudulent patterns
2) Implementing and monitoring project activities in infrastructure sector. video from public social media phone app to submit their video and swiftly respond to
3) Implementing and monitoring of training programs in infrastructure accounts and use AI tools to to the identity verification threats, including bot-driven
sector. synthesize a deepfake photo website as if it came from the interactions and money
4) Information collection and analysis of national and international trends in or video. Social media also phone’s camera. laundering behavior. Sixth,
infrastructure sector. makes it relatively easy to find More companies are robust customer education.
5) Interpreting and translating when necessary. out where potential victims starting to add a “liveness Continuously educate
6) Organizing appointments and other requested logistic arrangements. live and work, as well as who detection” authentication customers on online fraud
7) Drafting official letters and writing reports. their relatives and friends are. layer asking the customer to risks, secure online practices
8) Preparing project documents and compiling. Experts say these fraudsters, perform a certain action, such (such as changing passwords
9) Attending meetings, workshops, and seminars and reporting. who operate their scams like as smiling, blinking, or turning regularly), and how to verify
10) Supporting other related duties as required. Main Duties and businesses, are prepared to be their head in real-time during website authenticity, identify
Responsibilities is working for the Implementation Section. patient, planning their attacks the registration stage. Since the phishing attempts, and report
for months. action required is randomised lost documents such as ID card.
(2) Required Qualifications and Experiences Already, some high-profile each time, fraudsters cannot Seventh, collaborative
1) Bachelor’s degree in college/ university or equivalent level examples of deepfake content rely on prepared photos, video, industry efforts. Foster
2) At least 3 years of working experience. involving actors, executives, or audio spoofing. But even industry collaboration to
3) Good knowledge of government structures and documentation public figures, and politicians, so, fraudsters have upped their share knowledge about fraud
procedures. have successfully tricked game to collect data from techniques, emerging threats,
4) Proficiency in Lao and English. Japanese language skill is welcomed. people. In another example, social media, analyze facial and best practices. Collective
5) Smooth interpersonal skills within the office, with JICA officials and a fraudster in China used features, and superimpose a intelligence strengthens
AI-powered face-swapping lifelike 3D “skin” onto their defenses and safeguards
visitors
technology to impersonate own faces, enabling them to customer identities and assets.
6) Appropriate computer skills (including Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint
a friend of the victim during respond convincingly to real- Indonesia’s digital and financial
and Outlook etc.)
a video call and convince time liveness checks. services organisations should
(3) Contract Duration and Remuneration
him to transfer Rp 9.5 billion. Here are a few suggested diversify identity verification
1) 1 year fixed-term contract. Initial period will start from December 20th, methods, avoiding over-
In response to the growing countermeasures financial
2023 until December 19th, 2024. The starting day is negotiable. Contract reliance on a single technique
threat of deepfake and digital services companies can deploy,
period may be extended depending on performance. to fully verify their users.
fraud, many financial services to protect themselves and their
2) A probationary period lasting sixty (60) days from the day of recruitment. customers. First, advanced Businesses should consider
companies have already
3) The remuneration for this position will be determined in accordance with liveness detection. Implement a more comprehensive
implemented electronic Know
the candidate’s educational background, work experiences, as well as advanced liveness detection approach, combining
Your Customer (e-KYC)
JICA rules and regulations. technologies using three- biometric, behavioral, and
measures to verify a customer’s
identity. dimensional depth analysis, contextual factors, which
SUBMISSION OF APPLICATIONS FOR THE POSITIONS These typically employ and infrared scanning to enhances security. Within the
some form of biometric differentiate between genuine organisation, departments like
1. Applicants are required to send an email stating interest to the officer in verification such as facial and synthetic facial features. compliance, risk management,
charge below; recognition, fingerprints, and/ Second, browser security fraud prevention, and IT
Mr. BOUALIONG Chiaxialee (BOUALIONG-Chiaxialee@jica.go.jp) or iris scans in addition to enhancements. Web-based security must collaborate for
Address: Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Laos Office, national identity documents browsers (versus mobile app) a holistic fraud prevention
2nd Floor, Sacombank Building, 044 Haengboun Rd, Ban Haisok, Chanthabouly like ID cards to digitally are particularly vulnerable. strategy. Moreover, continuous
District, Vientiane Capital, Lao PDR authenticate a customer before Regularly update and patch updates in capabilities,
Tel: 021 241100/Fax: 021 241101 they can open an account. But vulnerabilities, enforce secure processes, and knowledge
2. Applicants are required to send 2 kinds of documents listed as below by email: fraudsters have evolved their protocols, and employ secure are essential to stay ahead
1) Cover letter stating the interest and qualification for the post tactics and found ways to browser extensions or plugins in the ever-evolving battle
2) Complete CV and application form “spoofing” the e-KYC process that can detect and block frame against bad actors and deepfake
by using fake samples such as injection attempts. syndicates using the latest
Note: Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an interview. Submitted fingerprints (via gelatin, tape, Third, continuous technology.
application forms will not be returned. or 3D printing), facial scans monitoring and anomaly About the author: The
(printed images, videos, or 3D detection. Deploy robust real- writer is Ronald Molenaar,
SUBMISSION DEADLINE: 4th December 2023. masks), or iris scans (digital time monitoring systems to Indonesia’s country manager
(Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.) images or contact lenses). identify suspicious bot or at Advance.AI.
14 Friday November 24, 2023 Vientiane Times
Entertainment

2nd edition of Student Academy Awards a

France-Laos fest a success
Sisouphan
Amphonephong
The Lao National Culture
Hall in Vientiane inaugurated
the second edition of the
France-Laos festival.on
November 17.
This memorable evening
also marked the 70th
anniversary of the Treaty of
Friendship and Association
between France and Laos.
The event was opened by the
French Ambassador, Mrs Siv-
Leng Chhuor, and the Deputy
Minister of Information,
Culture and Tourism, Mr
Vansy Kuamua.
The stage of the Lao
National Culture Hall was then
thrown open to an exceptional
programme of classical
music. The Duo Ondine,
made up of two young French
pianists, and the Vientiane
Chamber Orchestra, who
worked together for several
days to offer the audience a
shared musical repertoire,
honouring Lao and French
classical pieces.
Together they took the
audience on a dreamlike
journey, from Goethe’s “The
Sorcerer’s Apprentice” to
the world of Perrault’s tales,
Duo Ondine.
revealed by Ravel’s music in
“Ma Mère l’Oye”.
The Duo Ondine and
Vientiane Chamber Orchestra
then shared Camille Saint-
Saens’ famous “Carnival
of the Animals” with the
audience, inviting them to
marvel at the nobility of a lion
or the slowness of a tortoise.
The event drew an
audience of 800, giving
everyone the chance to enjoy
the choreographic surprise
orchestrated jointly by
the KHAM (France) and
FANGLAO (Laos) dance
companies that preceded the
concert, creating an artistic
immersion from the moment
Artists performing on stage.
Officials and artists pose for a group photo after a live
performance.
spectators arrived at the
Cultural Hall.
Dance will also be the
main focus of the closing
evening on Wednesday,
November 29, at 6 pm at the
National College of Arts.
As the inaugural evening
draws to a close, the Festival
France-Laos promises many
more magical moments.
The coming days will feature
artistic performances, cultural
workshops and cinematic
discoveries, making this edition
an unforgettable celebration
of Franco-Lao diversity and
friendship.
The Festival France-Laos
will continue till November
29 and all events are free and
open to all.
launching pad into Hollywood
celebrate 50 years
NEW YORJ (AP) --
Spike Lee already had
several big moments with
the Oscars by the time he
finally won a competitive
statuette in 2019.
His first came almost
40 years earlier, in 1983,
when he was a film student
at New York University.
Lee submitted his master’s
thesis film “Joe’s Bed-
Stuy Barbershop: We Cut
Heads,” starring Monty
Ross, to the S t u d e n t
Academy Awards. And
it won.
The Student Academy
Awards may not be as
glitzy or high profile
as the Oscars, but in its
50 years it has proven
to be a vital launching
g r o u n d f o r e m e rg i n g
filmmakers. Inclusion
and access may sound
like recent buzzwords,
but the film academy has
been striving to break
down barriers to entry for
decades.
In 1973, then Academy
president Walter Mirisch
said, prophetically, that
they were celebrating the
young people who “will
be taking our places.”
Over the years, student
winners have included
P e t e D o c t e r, R o b e r t
Zemeckis, Trey Parker,
Patricia Riggen, Bob Saget
and Patricia Cardoso.
“The legacy of the
program is rich,” said
Kendra Carter who oversees
impact and global talent
development programs
for the film academy.
“As impact and inclusion
continue to be a priority for
us, the Student Academy
Awards leads directly into
our mission of striving to
be that pillar of change in
the industry and moving
the needle forward by
providing access and
o p p o r t u n i t y, b r e a k i n g
down barriers to entry and
creating a pool of highly
skilled, diverse talent.”
Academy members,
640 of them this year,
vote on the awards, which
offer invaluable exposure
for a young filmmaker.
Many have emerged
from the program with
representation, some with
jobs and all with a new
network of peers.
“Once your name is
tied to a Student Academy
Award, it just opens all of
these doors,” Carter said.
“It’s so transformative for
emerging filmmakers.”

Australian Embassy

Exciting Career Opportunity

The Australian Embassy has the following vacant fixed-term positions (until December 2024):

 Senior Policy Officer – Mixed Duties

 Senior ASEAN Media and Communications Officer
 ASEAN Administration and Logistics Support Assistant

These roles present exciting career and learning opportunities, including the opportunity to work
collaboratively across the Embassy and contribute to some of Australia’s most important policy work in the
Lao PDR. We are seeking experienced and dynamic individuals to fill the roles, with the ability to work
independently and as part of a small team. Roles do not include staff supervision responsibilities.

To be successful in these roles you will have:

 Tertiary qualification and/or demonstrated work experience in relevant field/s

o Senior Policy Officer: policy research and analysis, ASEAN, transnational crime or human
security
o Senior ASEAN Media and Communications Officer: digital communications, public
relations, international media, public diplomacy, events and visits coordination
o ASEAN Administration and Logistics Support Assistant: transportation and logistics
coordination, accounts maintenance, vendor coordination
 High level written and oral fluency in English and Lao.
 Strong organisational skills and an ability to prioritise and meet tight deadlines.
 Ability to work independently within a small and busy team.
 Experience working collaboratively in a cross-cultural team environment.
 Strong research and analytical skills, and excellent attention to detail.
 High level interpersonal and liaison skills and the ability to communicate effectively.

The Australian Embassy is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration
for employment without regard to sex, ethnicity, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability or age.
All applicants will be considered on their merits.

To apply for a position at the Australian Embassy, applicants must prepare a written statement. The position
description and application instructions can be found on the Embassy’s website laos.embassy.gov.au in the
“About Us” section.

Applications must be submitted by Wednesday 29 November 2023 at 5:30 PM.

Vientiane Times Friday November 24, 2023 15
Classified
ຫໍພພ
ິ ຕ
ິ ະພັນສິລະປະລາວ
Lao Art Museum
Title: (National) Health Planning & Management Adviser – 3 positions Open everyday
(Paksan, Thakhek, Huayxay)
ໂຮງພິມ ມັນທາຕຸລາດ at 8:00 am - 17:00 pm
Tel: 030 5140717
1. BACKGROUND Manthaturath Printing Press
The Lao and Luxembourg governments decided for the fifth Lao-Luxembourg
Indicative Cooperation Programme (ICP V) to maintain and deepen B. Nongbouathong,
collaboration nationally, but with emphasis on the provinces of Bokeo, Sikhottabong district,
Bolikhamxay, Khammouane and Vientiane, through following four sectoral Vientiane Lao PDR
programmes (2023-2027) with a total budget of approximately 100 million Tel: 217 243,
EUR, as follows: Moblie: 020 55516138
• Health and Nutrition (H&N) with a budget of 32,5 million EUR.
• Local Development with a budget of 34 million EUR (including Swiss co-
financing). PIANO & VIOLIN LESSONS
• Skills for Tourism, Agriculture and Forestry (STAF) with a budget of 25 ຮຽນເປຍໂນ ແລະ ຮຽນໄວໂອລິນ
million EUR (including Swiss and EU co-financing). GUITAR UKULELE DRUMS
• Rule of Law, Access to Justice and Good Governance (ROLAG) with a ກິຕ້າ ແລະ ຕີກອງ
budget of 9 million EUR.
The Health and Nutrition programme is the continuation and further expansion
of two previous healthcare support initiatives named Lao-Luxembourg health
sector support programme (LL-HSSP). The programme will work in close
cooperation with the United Nations Joint Programme (UNJP), especially at
the provincial level in the fields of Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child
and Adolescent Health (RMNCAH) and nutrition – latter in close concert with
ongoing initiatives undertaken by Caritas Luxembourg. Whats app please text: (+856-20) 9266 4969
Location: Institute Francais Near Thalat
2. OBJECTIVES Sao Market (In Home lessons offered)
The main purpose of this post is to strengthen the Provincial Health Department
and provide technical assistance to the Ministry of Health.

3. MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES
ບໍລິສັດ ເອຊີອີ ທີ່ປຶກສາ
Provide expert advice on:
• Continuous technical support in developing a comprehensive Provincial
A.C.E Consultancy Co., Ltd
Health Plan;
• Promoting technical cooperation with other development partners working ດາວວອນ ພະຈັນທະວົງ
in the province; Daovone PHACHANTHAVONG
• Preparing, planning, budgeting, and coordinating all program activities of
the Joint Participatory Mechanism (JPM); (Director)
• Internal monitoring, control, evaluation, and reporting of all program 10/2 Manthaturath Road Tel : (856-21) 217 546
activities of the JPM; P.O.Box: 3147 Fax : (856-21) 215 274
• Coordinating and monitoring of the activities related to nutrition at provincial Vientiane Lao P.D.R Mobile: (856-20) 5551 6831
level. Support activities aiming to increase institutional deliveries. Email: phachanthavong@yahoo.com
• Participate in scholarship identification.
• Provide annual update of the Work Force Development Plan.
• Support the Programme LAO/035 Health Technology Adviser coordinating What’s On
with the PHD and the provincial Hospital authorities.
• Community engagement. Below are the logos and addresses of companies and organisations that have long-term
Main tasks include planning and implementation, technical, administrative subscribed to and advertised in the Vientiane Times newspaper and website
and reporting duties.
A detailed job description can be obtained upon request to the email address:
hr.rofvte@luxdev.lu.

4. SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED FOR THE JOB

• Degree in Medicine, with an expertise in Public Health.
• Minimum of 15 years of relevant experience in planning and managing
regional and district health projects.
• Demonstrated experience working at both strategic and operational levels
is essential. Cycling competition Street football
• Previous experience working with government agencies.
• Previous experience in working with international organizations or NGO is The Vientiane competition
an asset. Cycling Federation Secondary school
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills. and National students are
• Strong organizational and planning skills. Assembly invite invited to enter this
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a multi-cultural cyclists to take part competition, which
team. in this competition is open to only 18
• Proficiency in both Lao and English languages, including verbal and to celebrate the teams. The winning
first Cambodia- team will receive a
excellent writing skills.
Laos-Vietnam prize of 50 million
• Excellent interpersonal communicating skills to guide and motivate kip. Entrance is free.
collaborators. Parliament Summit
on December 6. When: Registration
Participants will open until
5. CONDITIONS: December 1
• Location: 3 positions in the following locations: receive T-shirts and free food and drink.
Where: Taekwondo
1. Paksan – Bolikhamxay; When: December 4-7
stadium, Dongdok campus, Vientiane.
2. Thakhek, Khammouanel Where: National Assembly Register online at https://drive.google.
3. Huayxay, Bokeo. For more information call: 020 9999 3666 or com/.../18tfYjjfdh636zH...
• Nature of the position: fixed-term contract, full time; 020 5999 4623
• Duration: 24 months;
• Expected starting date: as soon as possible, preferably by 01/01/2024;
• Salary will be calculated based on the experience and qualifications of the
successful candidate.
Book fair
This is a chance to pick up a new book, either
HOW TO APPLY: Lao or foreign, with books on display at more
Applications can only be submitted via the LuxDev careers website at than 20 booths, as well as enjoy other activities.
https://careers.luxdev.lu/job-invite/1391/. Applications consist of a motivation Entrance is free.
letter and curriculum vitae (including contact details of two referees). Only When: November 27-December 3 from 8am to
applications received via the LuxDev careers website will be considered. 8pm
Deadline: 26 November 2023 Where: Vientiane Center
16 Friday November 24, 2023 Vientiane Times
SPORT

England stunned by
Uzbekistan in U17 FIFA
World Cup round of 16
JAKARTA (Xinhua) --
Uzbekistan stunned England
2-1 here at the Jakarta
International Stadium (JIS)
on Wednesday to enter the
Under-17 FIFA World Cup
quarterfinals, thanks to goals
from Amirbek Saidov and
Lazizbek Mirzaev.
It was a disappointing
exit for England as the Young
Lions dominated possession
with a total of 20 shots at
goal against the central Asian
country’s 12 shots.
In Saturday’s
quarterfinal, Uzbekistan will
play France, which secured a
hard-fought victory against
Senegal, winning 5-3 in the
penalty shootout.
The game, held at JIS
stadium also on Wednesday,
ended 0-0 after 90 minutes
with France making eight
shots, as compared to
Senegal’s nine.

A Young Elephants striker (left) gains control of the ball during a match against the Army
FC on Sunday.

Eight teams vie for victory in last

matches of Women’s Football League
Times Reporters
Eight women’s teams will
compete in the last five last
matches of the Lao Women’s
League in Vientiane before
the tournament comes to a
close on December 10.
This was the first Lao
Women’s League tournament
to be organised. The teams
competing in the inaugural
league competition comprise
Young Elephants, Master 7,
Ezra, Army, Luang Prabang,
Champassak, Namtha and
Vientiane.
The Lao Football
Federation will present cups
and cash prizes to the teams
coming first, second and
third.
Each team receive 150
million kip while the winner
will also get a cup and another
100 million kip.
The second placed team
will get 50 million kip and the
third placed team will receive
20 million kip.
The teams are now
preparing for the upcoming
matches in the hope of
gaining extra points that
will ultimately win them the
championship.
On Saturday, at 5pm,
Master 7 FC will face Army
FC at the Federation’s football
field, while Namtha United
will take on Vientiane.
On Sunday, at 5pm,
Champassak FC will play
Luang Prabang FC at
the same location, while
Ezra FC will play Young
Elephants FC.
The league began on
October 21. After the
nine matches played so
far, Young Elephants are
currently in first place with
24 points from eight wins
and one loss. Tidiane Diallo (right) of France vies with Pierre Dorival of Senegal during the round of 16
Master 7 FC lies in match of the FIFA U-17 World Cup Indonesia 2023 between France and Senegal at The
second place with 19 points Jakarta International Stadium in Jakarta, Indonesia on Wednesday. --Photo Xinhua
from six wins, one draw
and two losses. Ezra FC is
in third place with 16 points
from four wins, four draws
and one loss.
The main sponsor, FIFA,
hopes that the tournament
will take place every year in
the future, so as to develop
the standard of women
footballers and select the
most talented players for
the national women’s team.