Comité de Coopération avec le Laos
Transcription
Comité de Coopération avec le Laos
Comité de Coopération avec le Laos Boîte postale 4791, Vientiane, Laos Tél : (856-21) 25 40 39 - Télécopie : (856-21) 21 69 25 Email : [email protected] Site : www.ccl-laos.org Revue de presse du 30 Mars au 03 Avril 2015 Vous trouverez ci-joint un choix d'articles publiés au Laos en anglais dans le quotidien "Vientiane Times" et en français dans l'hebdomadaire le "Rénovateur". Bonne réception et bonne lecture, Cordialement, Bureau du CCL à Vientiane Vientiane Times : - Security ministry rolls out new ID card - Vientiane Centre adds to capital's shopping options - Govt discloses belt-tightening measures - Chinese trade, investment grows in Laos - Students debate forest conservation - Improved job skills necessary in readiness for AEC - Khao kay noi could be registered as Lao rice seed Security ministry rolls out new ID card (By Phetsamone Chandala) The Ministry of Public Security has started issuing new ID cards for Lao nationals across the country, with the new card set to be more modern and secure than the existing card. The official launch of the new ID card took place yesterday at the ministry's Family Management and Grass Roots Development Department. The ceremony was attended by Deputy Minister of Public Security Brigadier General Sinthavong Xayakone, Commercial Counsellor of Embassy of China to Laos, Mr Zhao Weny, CEO of Huawei Device Laos Mr Zhang Dongya, and senior officials from the ministry. Speaking at the event, the Department's Director General Colonel Khamxay Chanthavong said the electronic identification card (E-ID) programme is being implemented through cooperation between the Ministry of Public Security and Huawei Device Laos. The main objective is to issue new identification cards for all Lao citizens across the country, progressively rolling out the technologically advanced card that will replace the older ones. In its entirety, the project covers the ID card production centre, a data collection centre and 160 data supply stations. The E-ID programme is one of the ICT projects that government has given great importance to because it utilises higher technology in the data management of the government. This programme is also the first collaboration between ministry and Huawei, a leading global information and communications technology (ICT) solutions provider, Colonel Khamxay said. “This ceremony shows the success of the programme and the official announcement of the new, modern and more secure ID card system which will help ensure the integrity of the government's data management,” he noted. The ministry will start issuing new ID cards in Vientiane first and then issue them across the country as the project is progressively rolled out. Huawei Device Laos' Services Section Mr Li Kun said in light of the current situation of Lao society and requirements for human resource development, the ID card will enable additional functions in the years ahead. “High technology systems, modern information management and administration is a very specific demand of the ministry's leaders for the electronic ID card programme and also a target of programme conductors as well as Huawei,” Mr Li said. The programme commenced in 2011 and was able to successfully issue new ID cards from earlier this year. The new ID card is different from the existing card, with modern techniques employed in the card's production in order to prevent copying while the card will be able to store data securely. There will also be the addition of an ID card number and standard on card management which will ease travelling, moving and increase security for Lao citizens, he added. Besides this, the new ID card will have a fingerprint scan which will help prevent fraud and maintain the security of people's data, Mr Li added. As part of the project, foreign residents in Laos are also expected to be issued with identity cards as the project rolls out, which will be yellow rather than the green colour for Lao nationals. (Vientiane Times 31 March 2015) Vientiane Centre adds to capital's shopping options (By Times Reporters) Shoppers will no longer have to cross the border to buy brand-name products after a new high-profile shopping centre opened in Vientia ne on Saturday. Mr Somsavat Lengsavad ( centre ) attends the opening ceremony of the Vientiane Centre on Saturday along with other officials and company representatives. The shopping centre is a jointly developed three-phase project by the Yunnan Construction Engineering Group Company Limited and Krittaphong Group Company Limited. They have a concession period of 50 years and the option to extend for a further 20 years. The four-storey Vientiane Centre is one part of the three-phase project, which is being developed on a 5.3 hectaresite on Nongchan marsh in Xaysettha district. The developers have signed agreements with the suppliers and owners of internationally renowned products, cinema chain, brand-name fashions and cosmetic products. Many brand-name pr oducts are on display at the shopping centre including Gucci, Longines, Omega and other well-recognised watch brands. Sporting equipment made by Adidas, Nike and other globally known names are also on display in the various shops. The newly-opened shopping centre also features a wide range of cosmetic products such as Shiseido, CK, Dior and oth er high-end goods. The Bank of China has also opened a branch at the centre to boost economic exchange in Laos and other Asean countries. Deputy Prime Minister Mr Somsavat Lengsavad, Mayor of Vientiane Dr Sinlavong Khoutphaythoune, Chinese Ambassador to Laos Mr Guan Huabing, General Manager of Yunnan Construction Engineering Group Company Limited Mr Chen Wenshan, Managing Director of Krittaphong Group Company Limited Ms Orlathay Santikhongkha and other invited guests were present at the opening ceremony. In his opening remarks, Mr Somsavat said the Vientiane Centre will help to boost economic development in Laos by attracting more Chinese traders. “The opening of a high-profile shopping centre is a boost for the image of Vientiane and will bring in the world's well-recognised and high quality products for Lao consumers. At the same time, it will also attract more foreign visitors to Laos,” he said. Mr Chen Wenshan said the Vientiane Centre would also create more than 300 jobs for local employees. The shopping centre, and a ninestorey office block which has not yet been built, are being developed under the project's first phase at a cost of US$70 million. According to the plan, the second phase of the project will involve the construction of hotels, clubs and lakefront businesses, and is expected to be finished by the end of this year. The third phase of the project will see residential apartments constructed in 2016. The last two phases will cost about US$50 million, bringing the total investment in the Vientiane Centre to US$120 million, according to the project developers. (Vientiane Times 31 March 2015) Govt discloses belt-tightening measures (By Times Reporters) The government has announced measures intended to curb spending, in a move to use the state's budget and resources in the most effective manner. The government last month issued a 16-page decree on frugality in a bid to rein in lavish practices. The decree requires state departments and encourages members of the public to follow a more thrifty lifestyle. Under the decree, all state departments and enterprises are prohibited from using state funds and the budgets of state-owned enterprises, as well as official development assistance (ODA), for the purchase of luxury vehicles. Vehicles to be purchased for work use or for use by administrative-level officials must not exceed 400 million kip in price. Any such purchases must go through a bidding process, the decree states. State vehicles may not be used for personal business. State departments and enterprises needing to purchase vehicles are required to work with the Ministry of Finance and a special committee will assess whether there is a real need for the purchase. The request will then be submitted to the higher authorities for consideration. The provision of vehicles to officials holding high-level administrative positions must be made in line with a separate Prime Ministerial Decree No. 81. The organisations concerned are required to monitor the situation and vehicles judged to be provided unnecessarily will be handed back to the relevant department. In addition, state departments and enterprises are prohibited from holding seminars or training sessions in hotels, restaurants and other commercial venues except for events financed by ODA that has been approved by donors for that use. Central and local state organisations and sectors are not allowed to hold more than two meetings a year and are prohibited from hosting receptions at their annual meetings. State departments and enterprises are not allowed to spend state or state enterprise funds on expensive alcoholic drinks for parties and receptions, except to host high-level foreign delegates. The purchase of office equipment for state departments must take competitive price and quality into account, and locallymade goods should take precedence. Furniture to be purchased for state departments must be locally-made and should not be expensive or luxurious. Officials who are assigned to make working trips away from their office but who do not reach their stated destination will be required to reimburse all monies spent. Those who produce fake receipts to claim more money than they spent will be disciplined and required to reimburse the money they received earlier. The decree also requires state officials to work to the full extent of their office hours to maximise their effectiveness and efficiency. In addition, the government demands the most effective use of the state budget when it comes to infrastructure and requires all projects to undergo bidding. The decree also stipulates that all state departments and enterprises should be frugal when celebrating occasions of national and historic importance such as National Day and various anniversaries. The general public are also advised to practice a thrifty lifestyle in their daily activities, especially when celebrating weddings and traditional and seasonal festivals. (Vientiane Times 01 April 2015) Chinese trade, investment grows in Laos (By Times Reporters) Chinese investment in Laos has continued to rise after the government established a new policy for foreign investors. The Ministry of National Defence and Latsavong Development Co., Ltd. held a seminar on economic relations and trade between Laos and Chinese personal enterprises yesterday in Vientiane. The seminar was attended by representatives from more than 100 leading companies in China and Lao government officials from the ministries of Planning and Investment, Industry and Commerce, Energy and Mines, Public Works and Transport, Agriculture and Forestry, and Information, Culture and Tourism. Through the seminar, Chinese companies got to know and understand more about the investment policy, socio-economic development and potential of Laos. The number of investors and tourists that come to Laos has continued to increase, making a good contribution to socioeconomic development, said Deputy Minister of National Defence Lieutenant General Chansamone Chanyalath.This development has helped to improve the living conditions of Lao people. Laos and China enjoy a long and close relationship and are good neighbours, friends and partners, he added. The value of Chinese investment in Laos is cur- rently substantially larger than that of oth er countries. The investment from China is a major factor in boosting economic growth in Laos and generating significant income for the government. In addition, Chinese investment has contributed to local development and created a number of jobs for Lao people. Their projects are mostly in the mining sector, however. The investment has also served to increase the close relationship and cooperation between the two countries. The Ministry of National Defence has entered into investments with many Chinese companies, one of which is the Latsavong Plaza construction project which is being developed by the Chongqing F.U.N.D Real Estate Company Limited. This is a large project, highly significant for trading, investment, tourism and real estate development. When construction is complete, it will change much of the outward appearance of Vientiane and is expected to become something of an icon for the newer, more modern city. According to the Chinese Embassy to Laos, bilateral trade volume rose from US$1 billion in 2010 to over US$1.7 billion in 2012, and to US$2 billion in 2013, and reached more than US$3 billion in 2014. (Vientiane Times 01 April 2015) Students debate forest conservation (By Times Reporters) Students of the National University of Laos' Faculty of Law and Political Science (FLP) took part in a workshop and debate on forest conservation and livelihood development yesterday. The event was organised by the FLP Debate Group and supported by the Committee for Cooperation with Laos (CCL), CARE, World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), the Land Issues Working Group (LIWG), and the European Union (EU). The workshop and debate examining the crosscutting issues of conservation and livelihoods also retroactively marked the International Day of Forests, which took place on March 21. The eager students debated how conservation initiatives in Laos could be balanced with fair and equitable livelihood improvement activities. Addressing the workshop, Project Advisor at CCL, Mr Anthony Gueguen said “One issue we should always aim to focus on is when implementing conservation activities are assisting communities dependent on the forest.” “We need to make sure they are a part of the conservation planning process and that they have input into crucial decisions.” With Laos' population being predominantly rural, many people rely on nature resources and non-timber forest products (NTFPs) for their livelihoods. As part of efforts to conserve its biodiversity while supporting these communities, the government has designated 3.3 million hectares of land as protected forest and a further 3.4 million hectares as production forest. The government has also set an ambitious target of 70 percent forest cover by 2020 and it is appreciated that properly managed forest utilisation, forest protection and reforestation is a key priority. More people are starting to acknowledge that this will require the greater involvement of local communities, who are crucial to the success of strategies for su tainable forest management and poverty alleviation. At the outset of the workshop, the pupils were given a training talk on debating skills and also listened to a series of presentations given by key speakers, including the Programme Director of the Green Community Alliance (GCA), Mr Douangprachanh Champaphonevilay and Country Director at the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), Mr Somphone Bouasavanh. The workshop and debate took place at the Faculty of Law and Political Science (FLP) yesterday. Mr Somphone Bouasavanh said “Our own experience has shown that when people are given the opportunity to be a part of conservation decision-making and management, success is more likely. We have seen this through our community fisheries and sustainable rattan production project to great effect”. The workshop further looked into the ways in which communities gain benefits from forest conservation, whether it is through income generating activities or alternative livelihood practices. Students remarked that the workshop gave a tremendous insight into how special Laos' forests and their biodiversity are, while it also allowed them to express ideas on conservation measures that positively impact communities. At the conclusion of the workshop, the main speakers highlighted once again the significance of the International Day of Forests, which is a global day for the celebration of forests and all types of trees. “We would like to continue raising awareness about our forests, which are home to magnificent biodiversity, and ensure that communities thrive sustainably along with them,” said project advisor Mr Anthony Gueguen. (Vientiane Times 02 April 2015) Improved job skills necessary in readiness for AEC (By Somxay Sengdara) Laos has to make domestic accords regarding the structure of labour skill standards and set out the responsibilities of the government and employers when it comes to skill development. The move to lift standards in education and vocational training is even more imperative as nations throughout the region move to implement the Asean policy of mutual skills recognition, which is necessary to facilitate the free flow of skilled labour that will come with regional integration. The Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare's Department of Labour Skill Development and Employment has outlined the need for change. The department's Director General Mr Phouvanh Chanthavong made some observations about deficiencies in skill development in his speech on the sector's preparations for joining the Asean Economic Community (AEC). “We should have one general structure for labour for the entire country but currently each ministry has its own structure,” Mr Phouvanh said. The department, with support from the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and the „Korea partnership programme for the implementation of Asean Mutual Recognition of Skills' organised a consultative workshop to discuss preparations for the AEC yesterday. Mutual recognition of skills among Asean member states is a process to drive the free flow of skilled labour through a formal scheme, ensuring equality, and mutual benefits, while immigrant and local workers will receive the same wages and welfare accordingly, and not be taken advantage of by one another. However, Mr Phouvanh said, there are chal- lenges and procedures to be addressed, especially the differences in labour skills among the respective countries. He posed the question as to whether labour skill standards in the country comply with those defined by Asean and the ILO, saying shortcomings should have been identified which will require improvement. The accord on the understanding of competency and skill development among various sectors within the country was also a challenge, according to him. He said there should not be confusion on the meanings defined in glossaries. Further discussion will also relate to vocational training and labour skill development. The director general commented that the distribution of responsibility between the Ministry of Education and Sports and Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare should be clarified through the Law on Vocational Training and the Law on Labour. Laos has selected masonry and plastering as the first professions into the scheme of recognition, and only with the new Asean members – Cambodia and Myanmar. The ILO and the Department of Skill Development of Thailand will be partners in implementing the scheme. According to Mr Phouvanh, after the accords of the mentioned matters were put in place, a committee and technical team will be responsible for researching and implementing their recognition. This will include a review of the methods and components such as the existing skill standards, tests and certification to ensure Laos' standards are in compliance with those of Asean. (Vientiane Times 03 April 2015) Khao kay noi could be registered as Lao rice seed (By Times Reporters) The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry is pursuing research of the kay noi rice variety, hoping to refine its quality and register it as an original Lao rice variety. This rice is in high demand both in Laos and neighbouring countries, and it is considered important to maintain its quality and original characteristics so that its appeal is not diminished. Researchers from the National Agriculture and Forestry Research Institute (NAFRI) on Wednesday met with Department of Planning and Cooperation representatives, AgroBiodiversity Initiative (TABI) officials and representatives from Xieng Khuang and Huaphan provinces in Vientiane to discuss ways to improve kay noi rice and enhance the market chain. The workshop was chaired by the Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Forestry, Dr Phet Phomphiphak. Kay noi rice is produced in only a few areas of Laos, mostly in Xieng Khuang and Huaphan provinces, and the rice in each area has a different quality, said Dr Phet. There are also different varieties, such as kay noi hom, lai, daeng, dam, leuang and khao, with each having a different quality and taste. Dr Phet called on researchers to closely cooperate with other sectors and local authorities to refine each seed type and then grow it for local consumption and sale. He stressed that each sector should work together to improve the rice strain so that it could be registered as a traditional Lao rice seed. In 2003 NAFRI, with support from TABI, conducted studies of kay noi rice in six districts of Huaphan province and was able to collect many good quality varieties. The Institute received good cooperation from farmers and local authorities, and the studies helped them to understand more about the quality and cultivation of each kay noi rice type. This rice variety has different characteristics compared to other varieties due to its pleasant aroma and soft texture. Studies on improvements to the strain and market chain enhancement in Xieng Khuang and Huaphan provinces were also well received and beneficial. After the project began in Xieng Khuang province last year, 246 kay noi rice samples were studied, from which 263 were selected. The project focused on rice grown on more than 7,200 hectares in four districts, while in Huaphan province studies were conducted in six districts on more than 5,000 hectares. Each year Xieng Khuang and Huaphan provinces export thousands of tonnes of kay noi rice to Vietnam, while some is also sold to China and to other provinces in Laos. (Vientiane Times 03 April 2015)