March 2016 VT Issue 99

Vientiane Times
tuesDAY may 3, 2016
The First National English Language Newspaper
ISSUE 99
IFAD supports food

security, nutrition project
Times Reporters
The International Fund for

Agricultural Development
(IFAD) has provided US$24
million (about 195 billion kip)
to support food security and
nutrition in Laos.
IFAD is granting support for
a new six-year project (20162021) following the success
of 13 previous projects that
have benefited over 238,870
impoverished households.
Laos has been receiving
assistance from IFAD since 1980
and in 2015 marked the 35th
year of cooperation between the
two parties, in which IFAD has
provided financing for 13 projects
worth US$122.4 million, with
US$74.8 million in loans and
US$47.6 million as grants.
Now the government
and IFAD have signed a new
Financing Agreement for the
Strategic Support for Food
Security and Nutrition Project,
which is expected to run in
the four northern provinces of
Phongsaly, Huaphan, Oudomxay
and Xieng Khuang.
The document was signed
in Vientiane on Thursday by
Deputy Minister of Finance Ms
Thipphakone Chanthavongsa and
IFAD Director of the Asia and

Pacific Division Ms Hoonae Kim.
Speaking at the signing, Ms
Thipphakone said the government
is following the 8th National
Socio-economic Development
Plan (NSEDP) by ensuring food
security and nutrition for all
citizens, adding A lack of food
and water means that people have
no life.
In addition, Ms Thipphakone
said the project will encourage
local authorities to participate
more in ensuring food security
by improving harvesting methods
and ensuring the nutrition of
products to add to their value and
gain more market access.
To e n s u r e e ff e c t i v e
implementation in using resources
for each task, we urge that all
sectors work closely together to
monitor, support and rectify any
problems that may arise during
the implementation period, Ms
Thipphakone said.
We need to implement
national projects on food security
that will yield good results. The
target of the agriculture and
forestry sector is to grow by 3.2
percent, accounting for about 19
percent of total GDP by 2020.
Ms Thipphakone said IFAD
will continue to support Laos
in implementing the NSEDP

to ensure the country moves
forward and graduates from least
developed status in 2020.
The aim of the project is to
support the poverty alleviation
strategy and improve food
security especially for people in
rural areas. In particular it will
target people who have low crop
yields, a low income and poor
nutrition, especially women and
children under 5 years old.
The project is a major
development that aims to improve
productivity and improve living
conditions for all, with a focus
on the disadvantaged, children,
and women of reproductive age.
It will help to reduce
malnutrition as well as raise living
conditions as part of a clean and
sustainable development process.
The project will also
enhance capacity building in all
government sectors in order to
put in place the national strategy
on food security as well as
advising local authorities on its
implementation. The signing
ceremony was attended by
Deputy Minister of Agriculture
and Forestry Dr Phouangparisak
Pravongviengkham,
representatives from NGOs, and
other guests.
New govt to tackle corruption,

reduce poverty levels
Somxay Sengdara
The government intends to

crack down on corruption and
other undesirable forms of
conduct, while also tackling
poverty reduction and creating
sustainable ways for people to
earn a living.
This was the message
delivered by Prime Minister
Thongloun Sisoulith as the head
of the new government at a
press conference following the
governments inaugural meeting
on Friday.
Mr Thongloun began his
address by saying the government
would first strive to maintain
political stability, social order,
and security.
Above all, we have to
ensure that the country has strong
political stability, security and
social order. We will address
undesirable conduct such as
drug abuse, human trafficking,
robbery, and destructive activities
on online social networks. We
will take action to overcome
challenges, and wholeheartedly
address corruption.
In addition, Mr Thongloun
said, the government would step
Prime Minister Thongloun

Sisoulith speaks to the media.
up efforts to alleviate poverty and

create sustainable methods of
income generation. He noted the
continuing development at the
grassroots level and widespread
rural development, which was
taking place in line with the new
direction of rural development in
harmony with urbanisation.
Third on the list of the
new governments goals were
the enhancement of guidance
and leadership to facilitate
development in a green
and sustainable way on the

road to industrialisation and
modernisation. There should be a
strong drive towards agricultural
development, especially clean
agriculture, along with the
promotion of small and medium
sized enterprises to boost
productivity and ensure a strong
revenue base.
Recognising human resource
development as crucial to overall
development, the government
would expand education and
health infrastructure in rural
areas, improve social welfare
services, and broaden peoples
general knowledge, Mr
Thongloun added.
The government also
recognised the need for the
continuous improvement,
strengthening and modernisation
of mechanisms and regulations
in public administration and
working methods, as well as the
amendment of laws so they were
more enforceable and would
result in effective economic and
social management.
T h e g o v e r n m e n t s
inaugural meeting approved
the governments action plan,
CONTINUED PAGE 3
Second phase of Nam Ou

hydropower project kicks off
Times Reporters
Ms Thipphakone Chanthavongsa (right) shakes hands with Ms Hoonae Kim after the signing ceremony.
4500 kip
The Nam Ou River Basin

Hydropower Project has
launched its second phase of
construction, after completing the
Nam Ou 2, 5 and 6 hydropower
plants during the first phase.
The opening ceremony for
the second phase, comprising the
Nam Ou 1, 3, 4 and 7 dams, took
place in Vientiane on Thursday.
The hydropower
development project on the
Nam Ou cascade is located in

Phongsaly and Luang Prabang
provinces.
Deputy Prime Minister and
Minister of Finance Mr Somdy
Duangdy, Minister of Energy and
Mines Dr Khammany Inthilath,
General Manager of Powerchina
Resources Ltd., Mr Du Chunguo,
and the Consul General of China
in Luang Prabang province
Mr Li Baoguang attended the
ceremony. Other officials from
the government and business
sectors were also present.
The project includes seven
dams, with a projected total
capacity of 1,156 MW and an
annual energy output of 5,017
GWh, according to Powerchina
Resources Ltd.
Construction of the seven
dams is divided into two phases,
with an estimated total cost of
US$2.8 billion.
In the first stage of the project,
the Nam Ou 2, 5 and 6 dams will
be developed. Their eventual
total capacity is estimated at
540 MW, with an annual energy

output of 2,187 GWh.
Construction began in
October, 2012, and the first dam
began operating in December
2015.
In the second stage of the
project, the Nam Ou 1, 3, 4, and 7
power stations will be developed.
Their projected total capacity is
732 MW, with an annual energy
output of 2,830 GWh.
Construction of phase 2
begins this month and will end
in 2020.
The concession period is 29
years after the project begins
commercial operation. After that
time, the project will be handed
over to the government.
Upgrading the power grid,
transmitting power across
northern Laos, and nationwide
interconnectivity will be easier
when all the dams are built.
Power shortages will also be
eased, according to the company.
During the ceremony, Dr
CONTINUED PAGE 2
2 Home news
Vientiane Times
Tuesday May 3, 2016
Media urged to help prevent

early pregnancy, empower girls
Dr Path Keungsaneth (left) and Ms Frederika Meijer lead the

workshop.
Phetphoxay Sengpaseuth
The media has been asked to

publish more information about
ways to prevent early marriage
and pregnancy.
The power and influence
of the media can help to reduce
early pregnancy and empower
adolescent girls, Director
General of the Department of
Hygiene and Health Prevention
under the Ministry of Health,
Dr Path Keungsaneth, stated at
a workshop held in Vientiane
on Friday.
Speaking at the workshop,
themed Empowering girls,
preventing early pregnancy
and targeting Lao media outlets,
Dr Path said the media needed
to provide more information for
the public, particularly in target
communities.
Early marriage is common in
Laos; in fact Laos has the highest
prevalence of early marriage in
the whole region.
The majority of girls have
no understanding of reproductive
health, including family planning.
More than 1 in 5 girls aged
15-19 are married and half of
women aged 25 had been married
by the age of 18, according to the
2011-12 Lao Social Indicator

Survey.
Laos has the highest
adolescent birth rate in the region
with 94 births per 1,000 girls
aged 15-19. Among girls with
no education, adolescent births
increase to 190 births per 1,000
girls.
Dr Path said particular
attention must be paid to young
mothers and their babies as
they are at highest risk of
complications during pregnancy
and birth.
Young mothers are also
disadvantaged because early
childbearing limits young
womens opportunities for
education and employment.
Dr Path said the National
Action Plan and Strategy
on Reproductive Health,
Maternal, Newborn and Child
Health addresses the critical
reproductive, maternal, newborn
and child health needs and rights
of all Lao people including
adolescent girls.
One of the important ways
to empower girls and prevent
early pregnancy is raising public
awareness of the issue as well
as providing information about
where girls can access services.
The best partner to do this is the

media, he said.
Universal access to
information and services on
sexual and reproductive health
including family planning can
help young people to stay healthy,
stay in school, and contribute
to the workforce, resulting in
sustainable development and
advancement of the country, he
added.
Despite progress made in
improving womens and girls
health in Laos over the past
decades, challenges remain.
To further improve the
health and well-being of women,
adolescents and children, the
Lao government has advanced
its efforts in ensuring equitable
access to health information
and quality reproductive health
services, he said.
UNFPA Representative to
Laos Ms Frederika Meijer said
When a girl becomes pregnant,
her life changes radically. Her
education is likely to end and
her job prospects diminish. She
becomes more vulnerable to
poverty and social exclusion,
and subsequently her health is
jeopardised.
Pregnancy-related
complications for both the
mother and the child are more
common among adolescent girls,
and young mothers are less likely
to know how to properly feed
their newborn baby, she added.
We know the media is
not only a powerful partner in
advocating for adolescent sexual
and reproductive health at the
policy level; the media is crucial
in reaching out to women and
adolescent girls in communities.
We would like to work with
the media to together empower
adolescent girls, reduce early
pregnancy in Laos and make sure
that every young girls potential
is fulfilled, Ms Meijer said.
Forum advises families on

care of mentally disabled
Mr Sisavath Khomphonh addresses the Family

Health Forum in Vientiane on Friday.
Sangkhomsay Bubphanouvong
The Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare

has called on families to provide more help
for children and relatives who suffer from
intellectual disabilities, when addressing the
Family Health Forum in Vientiane on Friday.
Presiding over the forum, Deputy Director of
the ministrys Policy for Devotee Department,
Mr Sisavath Khomphonh, advised families to
give disabled members more physical care and
emotional support.
The forum provided a platform for families
to learn about ways in which they could better
care for those who lacked the means to care
for themselves. Those attending included
representatives of organisations for the disabled,
disabled peoples representatives, and officials.
Mr Sisaveth, who is also Chairman of

the Special Olympics Committee, said the
committee is currently training and supporting
intellectually disabled people to play sports.
Many in this group live in remote areas and
arent able to develop normally because they
are inadequately cared for and there are often
no trained professionals in their area to provide
assistance.
Mr Sisaveth said that if it were possible
to provide more information to the families
of intellectually disabled people, they could
provide more care and support and help their
relatives to become more independent and
self-reliant.
Laos lacks the necessary funding to assist
disabled people, and the little help they have
received has come from concerned members
of the public.
The public is very important in supporting
disabled people and enabling them to become
productive citizens and contribute to society,
he added.
Mr Sisaveth said he believed that in the future it
would be possible to provide disabled people with
knowledge and skills they could use to develop
themselves, as was the case in other countries.
Vientiane has a centre for the rehabilitation
of disabled people, and more are planned for
Luang Prabang, Xieng Khuang, Savannakhet
and Champassak provinces.
The Special Olympics Committee has taught
disabled people to compete in running and
football and they have taken part in international
events in past years.
Donnoun-Thangone road
upgrade almost complete
The Donnoun-Thangone road in Xaythany district, Vientiane.
Times Reporters
The upgrade of a 12km stretch

of Road No. 10 from Donnoun
junction to Thangone village
in Xaythany district, Vientiane,
is 95 percent complete and
contractors have said the work
will be finished by the end of
June.
Project manager Mr
Tingkham Sisavath told
Vientiane Times on Friday
that work crews are currently
painting lane markings and
installing traffic signs as well as
a set of traffic lights at Nonsa-Art
Market.
Mr Tingkham said that all
the major construction work was
done. The road has been surfaced
with concrete, pavements built,

and streetlights installed. Other
improvements include a drainage
system and a median strip. There
will also be public parking spaces
and bus stops.
The project began in July
2013 and comes with a price tag
of US$56 million (456 billion
kip), funded upfront by the
Thongphouphan Oudomsin
Road-Bridge Maintenance and
Construction Co., Ltd. The
government will reimburse the
company after completion of
the project.
The road has been widened
from the previous 10 metres to
25 metres, of which 19 metres
will be sealed.
The road is heavily used on a
daily basis, especially by trucks,

making it difficult for crews
working on the upgrade.
Road No. 10 runs for more
than 30km and links Xaythany
district with Thoulakhom district
in Vientiane province, and
crosses the Nam Ngum River.
The road also connects to
Keo-oudom and Viengkham
districts in Vientiane province.
When the road is finished, it
will enhance transport and trade,
especially improving conditions
for local residents and businesses.
Upon completion, the road
will help to ease traffic flow in
Vientiane and will cut travel time
for people heading north, as it
will be quicker than using Road
No. 13 North.
Second phase of Nam Ou hydro... from page 1

Mr Somdy
Duangdy, Dr
Khammany
Inthilath, Mr Du
Chunguo, Mr Li
Baoguang and
other guests
touch a crystal
ball to launch
construction
of the second
phase of the Nam
Ou River Basin
Hydropower
Project.
Khammany said the Nam Ou hydropower project is endorsed by the government. The purpose of the
project is to develop basic infrastructure and to eradicate poverty among the Lao people, including those
in Luang Prabang and Phongsaly provinces.
The project will also spur socio-economic development in the two provinces.
Dr Khammany called for the project developer, engineers and consultants to monitor the project
closely, to ensure it meets international standards and is completed on time.
The developer should also create jobs, generate income for relocated people, and improve their
standard of living, he added.
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Vientiane Times
Tuesday May 3, 2016
Home news
KOICA to support water management

in Nam Ngum River Basin
Times Reporters
The Korea International

Cooperation Agency (KOICA)
has sent a group of Korean
experts to Laos to carry out an
implementation survey of a
project to create a master plan for
the Integrated Water Resource
Management System for the
Nam Ngum River Basin in Laos,
from April 24 to 29.
According to the KOICA
Laos Office, KOICA has
provided grant aid of up to
US$2.68 million to draw up
the master plan and provide
Lao government officials and
engineers with fellowship
programmes in Korea from
2016 to 2018.
The main objectives of
the project are to ensure the
sustainability and efficiency of
water resources management
by employing an Integrated
Water Resources Management

(IWRM) framework, to maximise
the benefits by optimising
hydropower generation and flood
control through interconnected
reservoir operations, and to
strengthen basin management
capacity through IWRM based
policies and regulations.
During their visit, the Korean
experts went to Nam Ngum
1and 2, Nam Song, and Nam
Mang 3 and also had a series of
discussions with the Ministry
of Energy and Mines and
Ministry of Natural Resources
and Environment to finalise the
scope of work between KOICA
and the Ministry of Energy
and Mines for the successful
implementation of the project.
As a part of in-depth
discussions, Resident
Representative of the KOICA
Laos Office, Mr Kim Hahngjoo, together with the group of
experts paid a courtesy call on the

Minister of Energy and Mines,
Dr Khammany Inthilath.
Mr Kim said Given that
Laos has plenty of water
resources in the Nam Ngum
River basin, this can be developed
as a driving force of national
economic development under
carefully a designed master plan
for Integrated Water Resources
Management.
Dr Khammany said Since
the Lao government plans to
build more dams in the Nam
Ngum river basin, this project Mr Siewsavath Savengseuksa cuts a ribbon to launch the new export system.
is very important for integrated
water resource management.
Successful implementation of
the project would contribute
to sustainable development by
means of optimised hydropower
generation, disaster risk
management regarding flooding
Exporters no longer need to
particularly trade facilitation.
and drought, and effective water Times Reporters
Since Laos is an Asean visit the Certificate of Origins
supply along the river basin.
The Ministry of Industry and member, it needs to implement Authoriser Office multiple times.
Commerce will begin using the Asean Economic Community Now exporters just need to
Electronic Certificate of Origin obligations. This means issuing register using the e-CO system
issuing system (e-Co), which Electronic Certificates of and complete the Certificate of
Korean
streamlines the procedures used Origin within the cooperation Origin (CO) form electronically.
experts
After the CO form
by exporters.
framework of Asean.
gather with
submitted
is confirmed correct,
The
system
entails
the
To
conform
with
the
laws
Minister of
electronic submission of and regulations of Laos - and it will automatically be sent to
Energy and
documents for an issuance of with international best practices - Certificate of Origin officials.
Mines Dr
Khammany
Preferential Certificate of Origin, the ministry issued Decision No. Officials will then check the CO
Inthilath
and reportedly saves exporters 0369 on the issue of Electronic form, certify it, and automatically
(fifth left)
time and money.
Certificates of Origin on February send it back to exporters.
during their
Now exporters are only
A ceremony to launch the 26, 2016. The decision specifies
mission in
required
to visit the COs
new
system
was
held
last
Friday
the
principles,
regulations
and
Laos.
at the ministry by the Department measures relating to the issue of Authoriser Office once, to
of Import and Export, chaired by Electronic Certificates of Origin. show their original Certificate
Deputy Minister Mr Siewsavath
Now the process to request of Origin certified by the CO
Savengseuksa.
an Electronic Certificate of official with a signature and seal.
More than 100 representatives Origin is more convenient than Then exporters will get their
from government agencies, the previously. Exporters can submit Certificates of Origin instantly.
The development of the
private sector and international declaration documents online at
e-CO system is supported by
organisations attended the www.ecolao.gov.la.
ceremony.
Submissions can be made the Challenge Facility Fund
Laos is open to regional anywhere, from any computer or Project and the Second Trade
and international cooperation, tablet connected to the internet. Development Facility Project.
light food in the hot season.
I hate the hot weather
because my husband gets sweaty
and when he comes home from
work his unpleasant body
odour gives me a headache,
complained Mrs Khamla
Daengphasouk from Naxay
village in Xaysettha district.
Its not just Laos thats
suffering from above average
temperatures. Thailand, Vietnam,
Cambodia, and Myanmar are
similarly affected. A recent
report by Xinhua cited the Indian
government as saying that 330
million people in the country
were affected by an ongoing
drought.
A global call for support and
action for 22 affected countries
was announced last week in
Geneva, Switzerland. The
prevailing drought conditions
and hot weather are being
blamed on the EI Nino weather
phenomenon, a climatic cycle
that originates in the Pacific
Ocean and has a global impact
on weather patterns.
Launch of e-Co system

streamlines export process
Heatwave leaves people hot and bothered

Khonesavanh Latsaphao
The sweltering heat across Laos

has left many people feeling
drained, short of breath, listless,
and complaining of headaches.
Director General of the
Hygiene and Health Promotion
Department under the
Ministry of Health, Dr Phath
Keungsaneth, told Vientiane
Times that during extremely hot
weather people could fall ill if
they had too much exposure to
the sun.
People should monitor
their activity levels and take
care not to spend too much
time in the sun. It is possible to
become ill if the body undergoes
too much exertion, he said.
Temperatures started to rise
last month, bringing furnace
like afternoons with the mercury
hitting 39 to 42 degrees Celsius,
and some people claiming it has
risen to 44C.
Excessive heat can reduce
peoples energy levels and in
extreme cases cause nausea
and convulsions. Heatstroke

can occur if the body becomes
too hot, caused by failure of the
bodys temperature-regulating
mechanism.
Dr Phath advised that people
should not expose themselves to
the sun unnecessarily, and should
drink more water to lower their
body heat and replace fluids lost
to sweating. Elderly and unfit
people are particularly at risk in
hot weather as weakened body
organs are less able to cope with
the strain placed on physiological
systems.
Its best to wear light clothes
that release the heat, stay indoors,
and use the airconditioning when
in a vehicle.
Many people in Vientiane
say that eating fish rather than
meat during extremely hot
weather makes them feel more
comfortable and helps them to
sleep better at night, as fish is
lighter and lower in fat.
Nobody likes feeling hot and
sweaty, especially women, and
many people prefer to stick to
New govt to tackle corruption... from page 1

working methods and style, and assigned duties and responsibilities to the prime minister, deputy prime
ministers, and ministers to the Prime Ministers Office.
A clear definition of the roles and responsibilities of ministries and government agencies should
be outlined, Mr Thongloun said.
Concerning foreign affairs, the government reaffirmed the countrys unchanged policy of
peace, independence, friendship, and cooperation with other nations.
At the press conference, Prime Minister Thongloun spoke about areas of work that would be
bolstered in the near future. He highlighted a crackdown on undesirable social conduct, more
efficient revenue collection and expenditure management, improved coordination between
ministries and local administrations, and addressing the possible impacts of climate change and
natural disasters.
Weather forecast
4 Home news
Vientiane Times
Tuesday May 3, 2016
Lecturers complete postgraduate

medical training in Korea
Times Reporters
Eleven lecturers from the

University of Health Sciences
(UHS) have successfully
completed an 18-month
postgraduate training course at
the Seoul National University
College of Medicine in the
Republic of Korea.
They were by supported
by the Korea Foundation for
International Health Care
through the Dr Lee Jong WookSeoul Project.
The teachers recently
returned to Laos after completing
their training. At the 8th UHSSNU Scientific Communication
Workshop held in Vientiane
on Friday, the group delivered
talks on the work they had done
in Korea.
They described the topics
of their masters theses and
other knowledge acquired while
at the university, as well as
their experiences in Korea. The
topics included health policy and
management, and healthcare
systems.
Vice President of the
University of Health Sciences,
Dr Aloungnadeth Sitthiphanh,
said The vision of our
university is to be recognised
in the region as an institute of
higher learning that contributes
to the knowledge and education
of high quality health personnel
motivated to serve the people of
the Lao PDR and committed to
lifelong learning..
UHS has cooperated with
A teacher gives a talk about what she learned in the Republic of Korea.
many international institutions.

Of these, our cooperation with
Seoul National University
through the Dr Lee Jong Wook
Seoul Project is the most
outstanding and exceptional
partnership we have had in the
history of our university.
This training programme

aims to educate UHS faculty
members in a range of medical
knowledge and skills, Dr
Aloungnadeth said.
The project also includes
provisions to dispatch faculty
advisors from Seoul National
University and to provide

equipment and devices for
education and research at UHS.
The project started six years
ago and has produced some
spectacular results.
At least 52 UHS lecturers
have trained in Korea. Their
training covers all essential
medical subjects, ranging
from basic sciences to clinical
practice in the fields of medicine,
dentistry, nursing, and medical
technology.
UHS staff who have trained in
Korea and returned to Vientiane
to work in the university and
central hospitals have proven to
be very progressive in their work
and teaching.
Their knowledge and skills
in teaching and practice in
hospitals is very much improved
and they enthusiastically share
their experience, knowledge
and skills with their students and
colleagues.
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News in Brief
Farmers cut down rubber trees, grow
cardamom instead
Many farmers in Phongsaly province have started

growing cardamom plants after the market price of
rubber dropped, the Pathetlao Daily newspaper reported.
Agriculture and Forestry officials said the price of
cardamom was at a high of around 200,000-300,000 kip
per kilogram. Cardamom growers can earn 20-40 million
kip a year per family so many farmers are cutting down
their rubber trees and planting cardamom instead. They
will sell the crop to Chinese vendors.
Saravan reports on revenue collection

Revenue collection in Saravan province totalled more
than 40 billion kip in the first six months of this fiscal
year, the Social-economic Newspaper reported.
The provincial Finance Department reported recently
that most of the revenue collected comes from taxes,
government property, and enterprise management.
In the first six months of this fiscal year, Saravan collected
more than 192 billion kip using its new taxation rules.
Vientiane court sentences drug dealer
The Vientiane court sentenced a drug dealer to five years

in prison last week and fined him 20 million kip, the
Khuamsangob newspaper reported.
Police arrested Mr Tom Dala, 27, of Chalernxai village,
Xaythany district who confessed to trading in drugs since
2014. He also confessed to buying drugs from Mr Toulor
and to selling drugs to young people in his village and
neighbouring villages. Police confiscated 0.441 grammes
of crystal methamphetamine found in his possession.
In related news, another drug dealer was arrested in
Champassak province recently after police found more
than 1,000 amphetamine pills in his possession. The
dealer was named as Mr Soulisak, 32, of Nongnam
village, Pakxe district.
Vientiane Times
Tuesday May 3, 2016
Photo news
Lao journalists and staff from the United Nations Population Fund and media outlets in Vientiane
last week pose with the Director of the Department of Hygiene and Health Prevention under
the Ministry of Health, Dr Path Keungsaneth (front row, fourth left), after a workshop titled
"Empowering girls, preventing early pregnancy" to inform reporters about the topic.
Asean journalists and Indonesian officials set off on a trek on Wayag Island in Raja Ampat, West
Papua, Indonesia during a visit from April 10-21 under the Journalist Visit Programme 2016.
Technicians
from
Electricite du
Laos carry
out repairs
to electricity
cables in
Somvang
Neua village,
Hadxaifong
district,
Vientiane.
--Photo
Phetphoxay
These two boys in Samphan district, Phongsaly province, are very fond of their pet duck. They
hug it and play with it after school is over for the day. Of course, they have material goods and
can play computer games like children in cities, but these boys have an extra dimension of
happiness in their lives.
Vientiane Times
Tuesday May 3, 2016
Region
In brief from Asia
News Network
Seoul bans smoking
near subway
stations
KOREA (The Korea Herald)
-- A new anti-smoking
regulation that bans smoking
near subway exits went into
effect Sunday, the Seoul
Metropolitan Government
said.
The regulation forbids
smoking within 10 metres
of all subways exits in
Seoul. Violators will be
fined 100,000 won starting
in September after a grace
period of four months.
The tough anti-smoking
measure comes after
the Seoul government
designated 362 nonsmoking
zones in the capital city,
which includes major plazas,
public parks and bus stops.
Seoul City Hall has placed
8,000 red signs throughout
the city to mark these new
nonsmoking zones. These
signs will be attached to
walls and stairs, as well as to
the borders of the 10-metre
zones, according to city
officials.
Thousands of
hotspots detected in
peatlands this year
INDONESIA (The Jakarta

Post) -- Thousands of
hotspots have been detected
by the government this year,
an early warning sign of the
rampant forest fires which
have in the past caused
massive losses in Sumatra
and Kalimantan.
National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration
( NOAA ) satellites,
currently operated from
Singapore, detected 1,075
hotspots between January
and April, a decrease from
3,411 hotspots in the same
period last year, says the
Environment and Forestry
Ministry.
Bangkok ferris wheel

catches fire, but no
injuries reported
BANGKOK (AP) -- The ferris wheel at a newly opened dinosaur
theme park in Bangkok caught fire on Saturday, but the park
said no one was on it at the time, and no injuries were reported.
The fire broke out following an afternoon thunderstorm in
the Thai capital.
At the time of the incident, no one was on the ferris wheel,
the park said in a statement on its Facebook page. As standard
protocol, we stopped all operations of the Dino Eye before the
rain, which is one of our safety measures for Dinosaur Planet.
The statement did not include details on how long it took to
extinguish the fire on the ferris wheel, called the Dino Eye. It
said the park was investigating the cause of the blaze.
Photographs posted on social media showed fire rising from
one of the capsules toward the top of the ferris wheel, as black
smoke billowed up.
Dinosaur Planet has been a popular attraction with residents
and tourists since it opened a month ago in central Bangkok.
Cambodian PM warns
foreign countries not to
interfere in internal affairs
PHNOM PENH (Xinhua) -- Cambodian Prime Minister Hun
Sen on Sunday warned foreign countries not to interfere in
the countrys internal affairs over recent arrests of opposition
politicians and human rights activists.
Foreign countries must respect Cambodias independence,
sovereignty and territorial integrity and must not interfere in
Cambodias internal affairs (because) Cambodia has never
meddled in their internal affairs, he said during the celebrations
of International Labor Day at the Sihanoukville Autonomous
Port in southwestern Preah Sihanouk province.
We just take action against the anarchists, the prime minister
said. Lawbreakers must take responsibilities before the law.
Hun Sen also rejected a report by the opposition
lawmakers claiming that Cambodia was in chaotic situation
after the recent jailing of opposition politicians and human
rights defenders.
It is an untrue report, he said, referring to the report that
some 53 lawmakers from the opposition Cambodia National
Rescue Party wrote to King Norodom Sihamoni on Wednesday.
Hun Sen said Cambodia is now full of peace and stability
and does not have any political crisis.
People are living happily because they do not make any
mistakes, but you have committed crimes, so you must sleep at
the Prey Sar (prison), he said, referring to those jailed politicians
and activists.
Chinese
telecom fraud
suspects are
escorted off
an aircraft by
the police at
Guangzhou
Baiyun
International
Airport in
Guangzhou,
capital of
south Chinas
Guangdong
province.
--photo
Xinhua
97 telecom fraud suspects

repatriated from Malaysia
GUANGZHOU (Xinhua) -Malaysian police repatriated 97
telecom fraud suspects, including
32 from Taiwan, to the Chinese
mainland on Saturday.
The 97 arrived in south
Chinas Guangzhou City around
8:00 pm, all shackled and wearing
black hoods.
In late March, Malaysian
and Chinese mainland police
cooperated in an investigation
into five transnational
telecommunications fraud cases
involving victims from across the
mainland, and arrested a total of
117 Chinese suspects, including
65 from the mainland, 52 from
Taiwan.
Among the 52 from Taiwan,
20 were transferred to Taiwan
authorities by Malaysian police
on April 15.
The Chinese government

requested Malaysia to transfer
the rest of the suspects to the
mainland as all the victims of the
fraud trap are mainland residents.
The mainland has invited
Taiwan police to cooperate in
handling the case, according to
the Ministry of Public Security
(MPS).
In recent years, syndicates led
by Taiwanese suspects and based
in Southeast Asia, Africa and
Oceania have been rampantly
extorting money from people on
the Chinese mainland through
telephone calls by pretending to
be law enforcement officers.
Kenyan police also deported
77 suspected telecom scammers
in another two fraud syndicates,
including 45 Taiwanese, to the
Chinese mainland this month.
In one case cited by the

MPS in a statement, a person
surnamed Yang from Duyun City
of Guizhou Province was cheated
by a Taiwanese-led syndicate
of 117 million yuan (US$18
million) in December 2015.
Victims included migrant
workers, teachers, students and
elderly people from the mainland,
and some of them committed
suicide after being cheated
of a large sum of money, the
statement said.
Following Saturdays
repatriation, An Fengshan, a
mainland spokesman with the
State Council Taiwan Affairs
Office, strongly required the
Taiwan authorities to strengthen
crackdown on telecom scams
and measure harsh penalties for
the crime.
Vientiane Times
Tuesday May 3, 2016
Myanmar president calls on workers

to strive for national development
YANGON (Xinhua)-- Myanmar
President U Htin Kyaw on
Sunday called on workers
in the country to strive for
ensuring national development
through cooperation among the
government, employees and
employers based on social justice.
In his message on the
occasion of the International
Workers Day, U Htin Kyaw
pledged that he would put all
energy into the task of ensuring
social protection and safety of
all people including workers.
C u r r e n t l y, l a w s a r e
being promulgated to create
peaceful working environment
with good relations among
the tripartite force of the

government, employees and
employers to guarantee legal
rights of workers, he said.
The president stressed the
importance of eliminating
forced labor. Ward and villagetract administrative law was
amended in conformity with
Forced Labor Convention
29 of the international Labor
Organization (ILO) and a work
plan has already been laid
down. Myanmar Program on
the Elimination of Child Labor
is also being launched.
With the establishment
of ASEAN Community on
December 31. 2015, which
facilitates workers migration

from one country to another,
there is an increasing need for
skilled labor in various fields in
Myanmar, U Htin Kyaw said.
The president said his
government would work
toward drafting a new
constitution that will lead to
national reconciliation, internal
peace and democratic federal
union as well as improvement
of peoples living standard.
Myanmar saw 1,917 labour
organizations at basic level,
105 at township level and 14
at regional or state level, seven
labor federations and one labor
confederation.
Parts of India ban daytime

cooking as hundreds die of heat
PATNA, India (AP) -- With
sizzling temperatures claiming
more than 300 lives this month
in India, officials said they
were banning daytime cooking
in some parts of the droughtstricken country in a bid to
prevent accidental fires that
have killed nearly 80 more
people.
The eastern state of Bihar
this week took the unprecedented
step of forbidding any cooking
between 9 am and 6 pm, after
accidental fires exacerbated by
dry, hot and windy weather
swept through shantytowns
and thatched-roof houses in
villages and killed 79 people.
They included 10 children
and five adults killed in a
fire sparked during a Hindu
prayer ceremony in Bihars
Aurangabad district last week.
People were instead told to
cook to night.
Hoping to prevent more
fires, officials have also barred
burning spent crops or holding
religious fire rituals. Anyone
defying the ban risks up to a
year in jail.
We call this the fire season
in Bihar, Vyas, a state disaster
management official who goes
by one name, said Friday.
Strong, westerly winds stoke
fires which spread easily and
cause great damage.

Much of India is reeling
under a weekslong heat wave
and severe drought conditions
that have decimated crops,
killed livestock and left at least
330 million Indians without
enough water for their daily
needs.
Rivers, lakes and dams
have dried up in parts of the
western states of Maharashtra
and Gujarat, and overall
officials say that groundwater
reservoirs are at just 22 percent
capacity.
In some areas, the situation
is so bad the government
has sent tankers of water for
emergency relief. Monsoon
rains are still weeks away,

expected to start only in June.
At least 300 people have
died of heat-related illness
this month, including 110
in the state of Orissa, 137 in
Telangana and another 45
in Andhra Pradesh where
temperatures since the start
of April have been hovering
around 44 degrees Celsius
(111 Fahrenheit).
This week, more than 150
leading Indian economists,
rights activists and academics
expressed their collective
anxiety about the enormous
suffering of the rural poor
in an open letter to Prime
Minister Narendra Modi.
Region 7
70 percent of Japanese quake

evacuees fear aftershocks
On Thursday night, a large number of residents stay in a primary school gymnasium that has been
designated as an evacuation shelter in Chuo Ward, Kumamoto.
--Photo The Yomiuri Shimbun
KUMAMOTO, JAPAN (The Yomiuri Shimbun,

ANN) -- Many evacuees in Kumamoto citys
shelters said they cannot go back home due to
fear of aftershocks and would prefer to remain
in the shelters for a while, according to a survey
conducted by the city.
Based on these results, the city government
expects evacuees to stay in the shelters for a
prolonged period and is working to improve the
living conditions there.
Two weeks have passed since the first powerful
earthquake hit Kumamoto Prefecture and the
surrounding areas. More than 1,000 earthquakes
have been recorded in the area and the tremors have
not yet stopped. Kumamoto city has the largest
number of evacuees among the areas hit by the
Kumamoto Earthquake.
The survey was conducted on April 23-25 on
the 37,362 evacuees who were living in the 247
shelters in the city as of the night of April 23. A
total of 9,176 households, or 19,605 evacuees,
responded to the survey.
Asked why they have evacuated from their

homes, with multiple answers allowed, fear
of staying at home since aftershocks are still
happening accounted for the highest percentage
of 69.5 percent, or 6,375 households.
Evacuees who said their house was partially
or totally destroyed accounted for 14 percent, or
1,286 households.
Among evacuees who felt they could not
return home even though they wanted to, 6,530
households answered questions about what they
hoped for. Evacuees who wanted to remain in
the shelters for a while accounted for 69 percent,
or 4,507 households, while those who wanted to
move to any vacant house, such as municipality
housing or privately owned housing accounted
for 22.7 percent, or 1,480 households.
Following the recovery of essential services,
including the water supply, the city has seen a
gradual decline in the number of evacuees living
in the shelters. As of Thursday, however, about
17,000 evacuees were still staying in 231 shelters.
Vacancy Announcement
In January 2015, the Faculty of Forestry Science, NUoL began implementing an
ambitious project (Human Resource Development for Protected Area and Wildlife
management Project orH-PAWP) to improve its own training capacity and academic
programs in order to improve Lao PDR country systems for managing protected
areas and wildlife laws. The project has received approval for financing of roughly
USD 2.3 million over the next 4 years, with the possibility to apply for additional
financing support from the World Bank and the Environment Protection Fund (EPF).
H-PAWP is currently seeking qualified candidate for the following position:
1. National Consultant for Developing the Research Strategy for the National
University of Laos Faculty of Forestry Science
Duration of assignment:30 days (intermittent) with expecting from June to July 2016.
2. National consultant for Technical Audit and Program Evaluation of Protected
Area and Wildlife Law Enforcement Training Program by Third Party
Duration of assignment:25 days (intermittent)with expecting from June to July 2016.
3. International consultant for Technical Audit and Program Evaluation of
Protected Area and Wildlife Law Enforcement Training Program by Third Party
Duration of assignment: 25 days (intermittent) with expecting from June to July
2016.
The selection process will be in accordance with World Bank Guidelines. Any
individual expressing interest in more than one position must demonstrate
complementary.
Interested individual should send their application (including update CV and cover
letter) to H-PAWP , Faculty of ForestScience, National University of Laos, Dongdok
Campus, Lao PDR P.O.Box: 7322, Vientiane, Laos, Tel/ Fax:(+856-21) 771 752,
Email: somvang2003@yahoo.com; bouangeunh2007@yahoo.com
The full TORs of these positions can be obtained at http://ffs.nuol.edu.la/ or by
contacting above emails.
Closing date for application: May 25th, 2016
(Only short list candidate will be contacted for interview)
Vientiane Times
Tuesday May 3, 2016
World
Collapsed Kenyan building

had no occupancy permit
Firemen stand by at the ready as pyres of ivory are set on fire in Nairobi National Park, Kenya. --Photo AP
S. African cabinet approves recommendations

against lifting ban on rhino horn trade
CAPE TOWN (Xinhua) -The South African cabinet has
approved the recommendations
against lifting a ban on trading
in rhino horns, Minister in the
Presidency Jeff Radebe said on
Thursday.
The recommendations will
serve as one of the options to
preserve the countrys rhino
population, which is to keep
things as they are, Radebe
said at a press briefing in Cape
Town after a fortnightly cabinet
meeting.
The recommendations
were endorsed by the
Interdepartmental Technical
Advisory Committee and the
Inter-Ministerial Committee
appointed to investigate
the possibility of legalising
commercial international trade
in rhino horn, Radebe said.
The recommendations
endorse South Africas integrated
strategic management approach
to resolving the poaching of rhino
and illegal trade in rhino, he said.
The committee recommends
that the current mode of keeping
the countrys stock levels be kept
as opposed to the trading in rhino
horns, according to Radebe.
The cabinet appointed a
Committee of Enquiry in 2015
to investigate, amongst other
matters, the feasibility of a legal
rhino horn trade.

The countrys strategic
approach entails security;
community empowerment;
biological management;
responsive legislative provisions
that are effectively implemented
and enforced; and demand
management, Radebe said.
His remarks indicated
that South Africa will not
propose ending the ban on the
international rhino horn trade at
the next major meeting of the
Convention on International
Trade in Endangered Species of
Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES),
the body that regulates the
worldwide wildlife trade.
NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) -- A

building that collapsed amid
heavy rains in Nairobi, killing
at least 12 people and injuring
at least 134, did not have an
occupancy permit, officials said
Saturday as they ordered its
owner to turn himself in.
Details about the residential
building emerged a day after its
collapse on Friday, after which
crowds of onlookers gathered
to try to help pry victims from
the rubble.
Police Inspector General
Joseph Boinnet ordered the
owner of the building to
surrender himself to the police
for questioning.
The building did not have
an occupancy permit, which
is a government requirement
for all buildings, said Stephen
Oundo, chairman of the National
Construction Authority.
The Kenya Red Cross said
150 building units and adjacent
homes were affected. Rescuers
said they could hear voices
of five people trapped in the
building and said it will be
difficult to remove the concrete
slabs using heavy machinery
without endangering those stuck
in the rubble, said nominated
legislator Johnson Sakaja.
Live TV footage showed
the National Youth Service and
firefighters removing stones
by hand and a crowd cheering
as a child was removed from
the rubble. President Uhuru
Kenyatta visited the scene.
Hours-long traffic jams

caused by flooded roads delayed
rescue teams trying to reach the
scene, said Japheth Koome,
Nairobis police chief said. The
134 injured were rescued from
the rubble, Koome said. Kenya
is in the midst of its April-May
rainy season.
President Kenyatta last
year ordered an audit of all the
buildings in the country to see
if they are up to code after eight
buildings collapsed, killing
at least 15 people. The report
from the audit by the National
Construction Authority found

that 58 percent of buildings in
the capital were unfit to live
in. The majority of Nairobis
4 million people live in lowincome areas or slums.
The heavy rains have
caused other fatalities. Four
people died when a wall
collapsed Friday in the affluent
Hurlingham area and two
people drowned when they
were swept away by flood
waters in the capitals industrial
area, said Nairobi police chief
Koome.
Personal belongings lie on the right as Kenyan National Youth

Service personnel remove stones to make way for large machinery
at the site of a building collapse in Nairobi, Kenya.
--Photo AP
Oxfam is an international confederation of 17 organizations networked together in 94 countries,

as part of a global movement for change, to build a future free from the injustice of poverty.
Since 2009, the Oxfam confederation has accelerated its harmonisation process working towards
one voice and one programme in a single management structure.
Oxfam has a presence in Laos since the late 1980s, and works to deliver the country strategy
that focuses on sustainable livelihoods, humanitarian assistance, governance and civil society,
and gender and diversity.
Oxfam is an international confederation of 17 organizations networked together in 94 countries,

as part of a global movement for change, to build a future free from the injustice of poverty.
Since 2009, the Oxfam confederation has accelerated its harmonisation process working towards
one voice and one programme in a single management structure.
Oxfam has a presence in Laos since the late 1980s, and works to deliver the country strategy
that focuses on sustainable livelihoods, humanitarian assistance, governance and civil society,
and gender and diversity.
Oxfam is currently looking for a: Project Manager - Transition

Overall Responsibilities
The role of the Project Manager will be to ensure the compliance with the change process and to
assist the Management Team and Country Director with preparation and finalisation of all required
transitions plans, as described in the Oxfam Transition Guidelines, with appropriate contextual
input, ensuring critical reflection and progress towards the Oxfam2020 goals and vision. The
Project Manager in collaboration with the change manager will also ensure the alignment with
the global and regional change management plan/approach where appropriate.
Oxfam is currently looking for a: Finance Manager

To ensure the finance function within Oxfam in Laos efficiently and effectively supports the country
program in both short and longer term by:
Take a leading role in identifying and implementing financial strategy which is ensuring the
successful of the Oxfam country strategy (OCS) and the sustainability of the office
Advise the Country Director and Senior Management Team on all budgetary, financial matters
and donor requirement compliance.
Oversee the programme financial management and ensure that policies and guidelines are
followed.
Oversee the financial activities of the different functions within the office and Oxfam Partners
to ensure they meet quality requirements.
appropriate
The project manager is working closely with the Country Director CD), the project manager will
be responsible for supporting the CD to enable the Oxfam 2020 transition from current 2 Oxfam
structures in Lao PDR, to one single Oxfam team. This position is expected to be short term
4 months full time, starting as soon as possible and be completed by the end of August 2016
Required qualifications
Experience in project management and implementation within deadlines: strong planning
capacities, ability to define action plans, monitoring, reporting, etc.
Organisation: ability to manage multiple components of a project, at different speeds, but
without losing the global vision, respecting pre-fixed results and deadlines.
Excellent coordination skills
Excellent working and writing skills in English
People-oriented: Facilitator, mediator, able to put forward and find solutions and proposals
for action.
Active listener with strong interpersonal and communication skills. Ability to respond to cultural
sensitivities.
Knowledge of the state of political and cultural affairs in Laos.
Ability to work in complex circumstances
Ability to work with teams in distance, often through skype, emails and phone.
Management or other related field is highly regarded.
Experience in auditing, accounting and finance Management or post graduate qualification
in the related field of study or at least 5 years of experience in the management position
Ability to manage/administer a finance unit, ability to rationalize work, delegate tasks, apply
advanced system to simplify work and making suggestion for systems improvements, propose
solution to make best use of staff and financial resources
Ability to prepare and administer budgets
Demonstrated ability to work with multi disciplinary teams and stakeholders (internally/
externally) in management and control of finance policies and guidelines;
High analytical/negotiating/communication/inter-personal kills
Ability to work under highly stressful conditions
Sound understanding and compliance of safety and security issues relating to development
and humanitarian work;
Supervisory responsibilities
Good Accounting and Microsoft Office skills, particularly Word and Excel;
Qualifications in Finance Management or other related field is highly regarded.
More information and application procedure:

For further information, please refer to the website: www.directoryofngos.org and go to Directory
News/Job Openings.
Are you interested in this position? Send your application in writing, including a motivation letter
and curriculum vitae to sth@oxfamsol.be no later than 08 May 2016.

For further information, please refer to the website: www.directoryofngos.org and go to Directory
News/Job Openings.
Are you interested in this position? Send your application in writing, including a motivation letter
and curriculum vitae to sth@oxfamsol.be no later than 08 May 2016.
We promote diversity and practice equity

Only short-listed applicants will be contacted for a personal interview

Vientiane Times
Business
Read more news at www.vientianetimes.org.la
Tuesday May 3, 2016
Bananas become Laos

top export earner
Times Reporters
B
The free trade agreement is signed between the EFTA states and the Philippines in Bern, Switzerland
last week.
--Photo AP
Philippines signs free trade

agreement with Europe
MANILA (Philippines Daily
Inquirer) -- The Philippines
and the four member states
of the European Free Trade
Association signed last week
a free trade agreement aimed
at boosting the commercial
and economic relations of
the two parties.
The FTA was signed by
Trade Secretary Adrian S.
Cristobal Jr. on behalf of
the Philippine government,
and by Johann N SchneiderAmman, President of
Switzerland and Head of

the Federal Department
of Economic Affairs,
Education and Research
of Switzerland; Martin
Eyjlfsson, Ambassador,
Iceland; Aurelia Frick,
Minister of Foreign Affairs
of Liechtenstein; and Dilek
Ayhan, State Secretary of
Ministry of Trade, Industry
and Fisheries of Norway.
The signing of the FTA
was said to represent an
important step in further
strengthening the relationship

between the Philippines
and EFTA. The preferential
market access and the rules
and disciplines governing
the economic relations
between the Parties under
the FTA will supplement the
economic cooperation and
exchanges provided under the
existing Joint Declaration on
Cooperation, thus providing
a stronger stimulus for the
further development of trade
and investment.
Public gets first look inside Chinas

tallest tower in Shanghai
BEIJING (China Daily) -Chinas tallest building, a
127-story super skyscraper in
downtown Shanghai that cost
14.8 billion yuan (US$2.27
billion) to build, opened its
doors to the public on April 27.
The opening ceremony
for the Shanghai Towers
basement, which will house
an exhibition on skyscrapers,
and a five-story annex signify
the upcoming completion of a
building that has taken nearly
eight years to complete.
At 632 meters, it is
the worlds second-tallest
building, after the 828-meter
Burj Khalifa in Dubai. The
Shanghai Tower will house
offices, a hotel, museum
and art gallery, and will be

a venue for conferences and
exhibitions.
Tens of thousands of
people are expected to work,
visit and shop in the building
when it is fully open, says
Jian Danian, deputy head
of Shanghais Pudong New
District.
Ge Qing, deputy general
manager of Shanghai Tower
Construction and Development
Co, the buildings owner and
developer, says an observation
deck on the 119th floor will
open in a few months, ahead of
the buildings official opening
later this year.
T h e w o r l d s f a s t e s t
elevators, which can travel at
speeds of more than 18 meters

per second, will carry tourists
to the observation deck in
less than 55 seconds. Ticket
prices for the deck, which
will provide a birds-eye view
of the city, have yet to be set,
Ge says.
T h e b u i l d i n g s f i v e story annex is designed for
conferences.
The Shanghai Tower will
also house Chinas highest
restaurant on the 120th floor,
the highest hotel lobby on the
101st floor, and the highest
swimming pool, with a view
from the 84th floor. More than
20,000 pieces of glass covering
220,000 square meters were
used on the buildings exterior.
anana crops topped

the list of Lao
agricultural exports
as the highest
revenue earner in the first six
months of this fiscal year after
plantations expanded in the
northern provinces.
Laos exported almost
400,000 tonnes of bananas,
worth over US$190 million,
most of which were sold to
China and some to Thailand,
according to the Plant
Protection Centre of the
Department of Agriculture
under the Ministry of
Agriculture and Forestry.
Other major agricultural
export earners were sweetcorn,
at 830,000 tonnes worth over
US$122 million; cassava at
around 350,000 tonnes, worth
US$66.5 million; rubber
at 314,000 tonnes, worth
US$57.4 million; and coffee
at 24,000 tonnes, worth US$51
million.
These figures relate only
to exports going through plant
protection checkpoints around
the country; the numbers from
other sectors could be similar

or different.
The value may be higher
if the authorities were able
to get accurate details of the
volume of agricultural produce
passing through various
channels. Also, some figures
are unobtainable as there is
still illegal trading along the
borders.
Some plant protection
checkpoints have not yet sent
their figures to the Centre.
In the first six months
of last fiscal year 2014-15,
rubber was the top earner but
this year dropped to fourth
place as the price fell and
some farmers began growing
other commercial crops.
Bananas and sweetcorn
are the main commercial
crops in the northern
provinces, while cassava is
the major crop in the central
provinces and coffee in the
southern provinces.
Despite banana plantation
investments having
contributed to economic
development, they are having
increasing negative impacts
on health and the environment,
according to studies done by

the National Agriculture and
Forestry Research Institute in
cooperation with the National
University of Laos.
Some northern provincial
governors announced
that they would suspend
concessions for banana crops
but in fact plantations are
still expanding in some areas
as investors have signed
contracts directly with the
landowners.
Exports of Lao bananas
have grown tenfold from
more than 30.8 billion kip
(US$3.8 million) in 2011-12
to more than 324.8 billion kip
(US$40 million) in 2014-15.
Banana sales to China
increased from 42 percent
of total banana exports in
2011-12 to 88 percent in 201415 and are expected to rise
further.
The commercial
production of bananas could be
an important source of income
for poverty reduction in rural
areas if banana cultivation is
managed in line recommended
practices as well as Lao laws
and regulations.
SP Setia buys land in Melbourne

KUALA LUMPUR (The
Star) -- SP Setia Bhd has
bought a 1.02-acre site in
Melbourne the largest
east-end Central Business
District (CBD) development
site in the city to be sold
in over a decade where
it will undertake a mixed
development project with an
estimated gross development
value (GDV) of A$640mil
(RM1.91bil).
The property developer
told Bursa Malaysia that it
had secured its fifth site in
Australia, 308 Exhibition
Street, in a highly
competitive International
Expression of Interest bidding
exercise from Australian
telecommunications company
Telstra Corp Ltd.
Its Australian property
development arm Setia
(Melbourne) Development Co
Pty Ltd has inked a conditional
agreement to acquire the
fr e e h o l d l a n d o p p o s i t e
the Carlton Gardens for
Big project: A model of the proposed mixed development planned

by SP Setia in Melbourne.
A$101mil (RM300.96mil).
SP Setia president and
chief executive officer Datuk
Khor Chap Jen said that
once transformed by the
company, the site would be
the epicentre of Melbourne
CBDs cultural, commercial,
education and city garden
hubs.
This development will

boast a combination of multilevel retail, prime A-grade
office space and luxurious
apartment towers and will set
a new precedent for premiere
developments across
Melbourne and revolutionise
its urban landscapes, he said
in a statement.
Exchange rates as of April 29, 2016

Banque pour le Commerce Exterieur Lao Public
Foreign Currencies
Buying
Selling
US Dollar 50-100
8,092
8,132
Thai Baht
231.7
233.43
Euro 50-500
9,189
9,235
10 Business
Vientiane Times
Tuesday May 3, 2016
Samsung SDS,
EdgeVerve team up for
safer online banking
SEOUL (The Korea Herald) -Samsung SDS, an information
solutions developer affiliated
with Samsung Group, has said
it has inked a partnership
with Indias mobile banking
service giant EdgeVerve
Systems.
The Korean firm said it
will provide faster, easier and
more secure authentication
systems for EdgeVerves
Infosys Finacle, the global
No. 1 banking solutions
provider with some 547
million users in 84 countries
around the world.
The solutions will be
based on fingerprint scanning,
facial recognition or other
biometric authenticators such
as voice and iris detection, an
emerging area amid growing
security concerns about the
current password-based
online banking.
The company is also a
member of Fast Identify
Online, or the FIDO Alliance,
a global consortium seeking
standardization among
d i ff e r e n t a u t h e n t i c a t i o n
devices for biometric
authentication.
The partnership will allow
Samsung SDS authentication systems in Samsung Pay.
customers to experience more

convenient and safer financial
services, said Kim Ho, head
of the companys advanced
mobile solutions business.
Samsung SDS, which has
supplied its authentication
systems to Samsung Pay,
Samsungs mobile payments
systems, said the latest deal
would also pave the way for it
to further expand its presence
in the global market.
We want to enable banking
without passwords wherein

people can authenticate
transactions by using flexible
biometric options such as facial
recognition and fingerprints,
said Andy Dey, president of
EdgeVerves customer and
operations.
Our partnership with
Samsung SDS achieves
exactly this kind of
frictionless banking, allowing
greater customer retention,
engagement and loyalty.
S.Koreas exports post double-digit

fall in April at US$41 b
SEOUL (Xinhua) -- South Koreas exports posted a double-digit fall last month, keeping the
longest monthly decline for 16 months in a row, a government report showed.
Exports, which account for about half of the economy, slumped 11.2 percent over a year earlier
to US$41 billion in April, according to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy.
The falling rate slowed down from 18.9 percent in January to 12.2 percent in February and
8.1 percent in March each, but it resumed a double-digit reduction in just two months.
It marked the countrys longest monthly slide in exports for 16 months in a row, topping the
previous high of 13 months tallied from March 2001 to March 2002.
Trade surplus reached US$8.8 billion in April, staying in the black for 51 months from February
2012 thanks to faster fall imports than exports.
Imports plunged 14.9 percent from a year earlier to US$32.2 billion in April. Both exports
and imports declined for 16 straight months.
Rice bosses bemoan lack of investment

MYANMAR (The Eleven) -- Myanmars agriculture sector faces development challenges and
it received no significant inflows of foreign investment in the past five years, according to the
Myanmar Rice Federation.
The Directorate of Investments and Company Administration said agricultural foreign direct
investment (FDI) was US$7.2 million during the 2015-16 fiscal year.
The sector received US$138.8 million in 2010-11 and nothing was recorded the following year.
In 2012-13 the sum was US$9.7 million, US$20.3 million in 2013-14, US$39.7 million in
2014-15 and US$7.2 million in 2015-16. Since 2010, FDI totalled US$215.5 million.
New Zealand prepares to host

RCEP trade talks in June
WELLINGTON (Xinhua)
-- New Zealand is to host the
13th round of negotiations for
the Regional Comprehensive
Economic Partnership (RCEP)
in Auckland from June 12
to 18, Trade Minister Todd
McClay has said.
Once completed, RCEP
would be the largest trading
bloc in the world in terms of
population, covering a total
population of more than 3
billion people in 16 countries,
McClay said in a statement.
RCEP aims to broaden
and deepen existing free
trade agreements between
Asean and six other countries,
including New Zealand, said
McClay.
It is important for New
Zealand to play its part in

these negotiations which offer
us significant opportunities
to increase our trade and
economic links with the
dynamic Asia region.
The RCEP countries
accounted for around 27
percent of global trade
and had a combined gross
domestic product of US$23
trillion.
Critically for New
Zealand, the 15 other
countries covered 55 percent
of its goods export markets
last year and six of its top 10
trading partners.
It would not be in New
Zealands interests to stand
aside from a negotiation that
covers at least 55 percent of
our merchandise exports, said

McClay.
New Zealands
participation in RCEP
complements New Zealands
existing free trade agreements
in Asia, and will help New
Zealand build new FTA
relationships, notably with
India.
It will help to make the
regions noodle bowl of
rules operate better together,
reducing the costs for New
Zealands businesses to
operate in the region.
The government intended
to provide further details about
opportunities for stakeholders
to present views and relevant
information in connection with
the RCEP negotiations.
In brief
SU:M37 opens first store in China
SEOUL (The Korea Herald) -- SU:M37, a natural cosmetics brand operated by Koreas
LG Household & Health Care, has said it has opened its first store in China in Hangzhou
Linping Intime Department Store.
Launched in 2007, SU:M37 is a skin care cosmetics brand that utilizes naturally fermented
ingredients in its products. It is considered one of LG H&Hs most successful brands, with net
sales growing by about 73 percent on-year to 190 billion won (US$170 million) in 2015.
SU:M37s Chinese entry was propelled by its growing popularity among Chinese shoppers at
Korean duty-free stores, according to LG H&H. Around 20 percent of the brands sales
are generated via duty-free channels.
Govt urged to protect rights of Indonesian migrant workers
JAKARTA (The Jakarta Post) -- Workers rights NGO Migrant Care says Indonesian
workers are still facing restrictions in expressing their opposition to the vulnerability and
oppression they face in their workplaces.
The NGO said in a statement issued to mark International Labor Day, or May Day,
which is celebrated across the world every May 1, that Indonesian workers cannot enjoy
freedom to celebrate May Day despite the government making it a public holiday for the
past two years.
Through statements conveyed by its officials, the Indonesian government has tended to
narrow the celebration of the International Labor Day into merely a ceremonial event. In
fact, May Day must be celebrated as a declaration on the political stance of workers over
the conditions they face, Migrant Care said in a statement on Sunday.
Internet care services ready to flourish
BEIJING (China Daily) -- Technology firms are revolutionising the sector by partnering
with public hospitals and acquiring private ones.
Like many people in China, Chen Hua (not her real name), a 60-year-old from
Guangdong province, used to hate visiting hospitals because every time she had to wait
in long lines to see a doctor, pay medical bills and buy the prescription drugs.
Now, she has found a better alternative: She visits a nearby drugstore where she can
interact with doctors at major hospitals via video link.
Recently, Chen had backache and had an online consultation with a doctor at Guangdong
Internet Hospital, which is operated by the Second Peoples Hospital of Guangdong
province. He prescribed medication online, which I could buy immediately (at the
drugstore), she says. Previously, it took four hours to see a doctor, but now the entire
process takes less than 10 minutes.
Le magazine Le Rnovateur
disponible en CD-ROM
Les numros du journal Le Rnovateur du
mois de janvier 2011 fvrier 2015 sont
disponibles sur CD-ROM au bureau de la
Presse lao en langues trangres (service
Vientiane Times), Ban Phonpapao, unit 32,
arrondissement de Sisattanak,Vientiane.
BP : 5723.
Contact Tel : (856-21) 33 60 42 ; 33 60 48
Fax : (856-21) 33 60 41.
Courriel : editor@vientianetimes.la
Vientiane Times
Tuesday May 3, 2016
Lao stock market report
Business 11
Asean Economic Community
Trade Summary
On Friday, the LSX leapt 2.29 points to 1,123.41 points with a trading volume from EDL-Gen,
BCEL and PTL. The highest volume was from PTL on dividend payment date trading 7,900
shares, gaining 100 kip to close at 2,700 kip after staying stable for a week. However, the two
main stocks BCEL and EDL-Gen traded 5,000 shares and 900 shares respectively, closing at
unchanged prices. LWPC and SVN saw no trading in around 3 weeks with constant prices.
Daily Turnover by Investor Types (LAKm)
Last 7 days Trading Information
BCEL-KT Securities Company Limited Email: Broker@bcel-kt.com
The Lao PDR U.S. International and ASEAN Integration (LUNA II) project is funded by USAID. It seeks to improve the
overall business-related legal and regulatory environment in Lao PDR by supporting efforts to meet the countrys commitments
under the WTO, the AEC, and the U.S.-Lao Bilateral Trade Agreement.
LUNA II is currently seeking a qualified Lao candidate for a long-term position as an Office Assistant. The hired candidate
would initially work under the supervision of a more experienced colleague, obtaining greater independence and responsibility
commensurate with professional development.
Starting Date:
01 June 2016
Duration of Assignment:
Full time (01 June 2016 20 September 2018)
Work Location:
Vientiane Capital (with occasional trips to other parts of the country)
Main tasks and responsibilities:
Manage all logistics for local and expatriate experts, including coordinating travel and hotel arrangements, transportation
and in-country logistics.
Coordinate project car arrangements
Maintain record of project contacts (phone, email, fax, photo if possible, etc.)
Maintain project asset registry
Assist with the organization of workshops and seminars, including sending out invitations and traveling to provincial
workshops as necessary to collect participant information, assist with workshop implementation, etc.
Assist the Project Coordinator to work on VISA and ID card for the COP and experts, as necessary.
Prepare participant feedback forms and sign-in sheets for events (as directed by the Monitoring and Evaluation Officer).
Tallying and reconciliation of M&E data and verification data (including sign-in sheets, per diem receipts, etc.) Upload
digitized back-ups onto the project management software.
Work with technical staff to ensure accurate and timely collection of data and information, and input all relevant data in
order to monitor progress of project indicators;
Provide M&E input for project annual work plans, reports, and technical instruction, as needed and requested by the
M&E Officer and the Chief of Party;
Under the supervision of the Office Manager, monitor the internal office calendar system for all LUNA II staff meetings,
and LUNA II project events calendar. Work with the Counterpart Liaison Team to ensure that all upcoming events are
reflected on the calendar.
Upload all completed approvals onto the project management software.
Draft approval requests to both USAID and the Chief of Party.
Support other ongoing programmatic issues, as necessary, and as requested by the COP, M&E Officer, and Office Manager.
Experience, qualifications and characteristics of an ideal candidate:
Bachelors degree.
Effective written/verbal communication skills, in English and Lao.
Laotian Nationality.
At least 2 years of administrative experience, preferably on a donor funded project. Exposure to USAID and/or U.S.
government policies and procedures preferred.
Strong organizational skills and ability to work independently, assess priorities, and manage a variety of activities with
attention to detail.
Ability to travel as necessary within Lao PDR and abroad. Valid passport preferred.
Ability to work outside of normal work hours occasionally required.
Ability to be on-call in case of emergencies (especially with logistics for local and expatriate experts).
Good interpersonal skills, leadership, and results-oriented approach.
Strong organizational and planning skills. Proven ability to multi-task and
Knowledge of MS office suite (Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)
Knowledge of Google Docs, Sheets, and Calendar preferred
Knowledge of Teamwork project management software preferred
LUNA II is an equal opportunity employer. Women and persons with disabilities are especially encouraged to apply.
If interested, please send your CV along with a cover letter that would convince us to call you in for an interview. Send both
to the USAID LUNA II Project at Green Building, 5th Floor, Ban Naxay, Saysetha District, Vientiane Capital, Tel: (856-21)
454 923, Fax: (856-21)454 924, or by email to: Mchanthavong@nathaninc.com with the subject matter line: Translator
Position.The closing date for submission of CV and letter is13 May 2016. All applications will be treated confidentially. Only
short-listed candidates will be notified.
A Garuda Indonesia stewardess checks a seat in Garudas latest airplane, the Airbus 330-300, at
Tangerang, Banten, on Feb. 1. (ANTARA FOTO/Lucky R)
AAPA to focus on
aviation safety this year
JAKARTA (The Jakarta Post) -- The Association of Asia Pacific Airlines ( AAPA ) will focus on
safety issues in its programme this year.
AAPA Director General Andrew Herdman said the association would prioritise safety alongside
sustainability, aviation infrastructure and regulatory issues.
To achieve these goals, the association works with many airlines throughout the region.
A number of Asean carriers already participate in our activities and we encourage more
active involvement, as aviation safety is a common priority for all, he told thejakartapost.com
on Wednesday.
From the 16 members of AAPA, seven of them are a part of Asean, namely Garuda Indonesia,
Bangkok Airways, Malaysia Airlines, Philippine Airlines, Royal Brunei Airlines, Singapore Air
and Thai Airways International.
Andrew underlined that the association is open to all carriers, not only to full-service airlines
or flag carriers, but also low cost carriers.
The Lao PDR U.S. International and ASEAN Integration (LUNA II) project is funded by USAID. It seeks
to improve the overall business-related legal and regulatory environment in Lao PDR by supportingefforts to
meetthe countrys commitments underthe WTO, the AEC, and the U.S.-Lao Bilateral Trade Agreement.
LUNA II is currently seeking a qualified Lao candidate for a long-term position as a translator/interpreter. The
hired candidate would initially work under the supervision of a more experienced colleague, obtaining greater
independence and responsibility commensurate with professional development.
Starting Date:
01 June 2016
Duration of Assignment:
Full time (01 June 2016 20 September 2018)
Work Location:
Vientiane Capital (with occasional trips to other parts of the country)
Main tasks and responsibilities:
Provide consecutive interpretation, from English to Lao and vice versa, primarily for meetings with Lao
government counterparts and long- and short-term foreign consultants, both within and outside of Vientiane.
Translate from English to Lao and vice versa, laws, implementing regulations; memos, PowerPoint
presentations, reports, and other key documentation.
Translate key communications materials produced by LUNA II.
Provide other translation and interpretation services as necessary.
Experience, qualifications,and characteristics of an ideal candidate:
A degree in Law, Economics,Political Science, or Business Management.
Complete fluency in both written and spoken English and Lao.
Lao nationality.
At least three years experience in document translation and consecutive interpretation.
Previous experience in translating and interpreting international trade, legal, or economic growth topics as
an advantage.
Understanding of the WTO, the AEC, and other international trade institutions as an advantage.
Ability to work independently, assess priorities, and manage a variety of activities while maintaining attention
to detail.
Willingness and ability to receive and absorb feedbacks in order to improve performance.
Ability and willingness to travel as necessary within Lao PDR.
Ability and willingness to work outside of normal work hours as occasionally required.
Good interpersonal skills, team-player attitude, and results-oriented approach.
Comfortable in working on several matters at the same time(multi-tasking).
Knowledge of Apple computers and MS office suite (Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).
The potential to make up for any gap in the above by other substitutable attributes or, by hard work, talent,
patience, and perseverance.
LUNA II is an equal opportunity employer. Women and persons with disabilities are especially encouraged to apply.
If interested, please send your CV along with a cover letter that would convince us to call you in for an interview.
Send both to the USAID LUNA II Project at Green Building, 5th Floor, Ban Naxay, Saysetha District, Vientiane
Capital, Tel: (856-21) 454 923, Fax: (856-21)454 924, or by email to:Mchanthavong@nathaninc.com with the
subject matter line: Translator Position.The closing date for submission of CV and letter is13 May 2016.All
applications will be treated confidentially. Only short-listed candidates will be notified.
12
Tuesday May 3, 2016
Vientiane Times
Vientiane Times
Tuesday May 3, 2016
13
Department of Custom, Ministry of Finance

Customs and Trade Facilitation Project Additional Financing
IDA Grand No. H843 - LA, Project No. P144992
REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST
National Project Analyst, based in CTFP Office, Vientiane Capital
( ref. no.: CS-003-CTFP-2016 )
The Lao PDR has received financing of US$ 12.5 million equivalent from the International Development Association (IDA)
to support the Customs and Trade Facilitation Project (CTFP), which has two main components:
(a) Automation Support focused on progressively shifting responsibility for the support and maintenance of the ASYCUDA
system from heavy reliance on UNCTAD to the Customs Departments own personnel and on building a strong in-house
capacity to effectively manage current and future ICT systems and related infrastructure; and,
(b) Organizational Development designed to consolidate and further extend the improvements achieved in customs work
practices, procedures and organization that have progressively been implemented over the past five years.
The project builds on reforms implemented as part of an earlier World Bank financed project and will assist the Lao Customs
Department (LCD) to simplify customs procedures, eliminate duplication and redundancy; reduce transaction costs and
time to clear goods; and increase transparency and accountability. The Customs Department, which is responsible for
implementation of the project,
The LCD now intends to hire a National Project Analyst to provide coordination and liaison assistance to project team
to carry out their tasks. The Project Analyst will have the overall responsibility of ensuring that the Project is executed in
accordance with the Financing Agreement. In this regard, he or she will assist the Project Director & Project Task Team
Leader in the overall coordination and management of the project implementation. He/she will work closely with Project
Implementation Unit and the Customs Reform and Modernization Team (CRMT) to assist the project implementation in
an effective and efficient manner, and ensure that integrity and transparency are maintained in all activities of the Project.
The National Project Analyst will be a full-time position and expected to commence by end of May or early June 2016
through the initial 12-months contract. In order to be considered for the position, the candidates should meet the following
qualifications and experience requirements:

Minimum masters degree in international trade, public sector/customs administration development economics or a
relevant discipline;
Minimum of 3 years of relevant experience with proven project management skills;
Prior work experience with government organizations, international agencies or technical assistance projects is an
asset;
Familiarity with government structure, customs and public sector development issues;
Capable of strategic thinking and have the ability to advocate and engage in policy discussions with senior
representatives of the government and private sector;
Excellent communication skills, including speaking and writing in both English and Lao languages;
Excellent analytical and presentation skills;
Computer literate (Microsoft Office package);
Good interpersonal skills and result orientation.
The attention of interested Consultants is drawn to paragraph 1.9 of the World Banks Guidelines: Selection and Employment
of Consultants under IBRD Loans and IDA Credits & Grants by World Bank Borrowers, January 2011 (Consultant
Guidelines), setting forth the World Banks policy on conflict of interest. The Consultant will be selected based on Individual
Consultants selection method set out in the Consultant Guidelines.
The Customs and Trade Facilitation Project (CTFP) of the Customs Department, Ministry of Finance, now invites interested
applicants to provide information indicating that you are qualified to perform the services (curriculum vitae with expressions
of interest and references). Interested Applicants may obtain further information at the address below. Expressions of
interest must be delivered to the address below or no later than May 16, 2016, 16:00 oclock (submissions via email are
also acceptable). Only Short-listed candidates will be contacted.
Athsaphangthong Siphandone (PhD.)
Director General, Customs Department
Ministry of Finance, Vientiane Capital, Lao PDR
Tel. & Fax: +856 (21) 254034
E-mail: athsaphangthong@gmail.com
Copy: vongvanhpheng@gmail.com and thanongsakd@gmail.com
14
Tuesday May 3, 2016
Job Announcement (Lao national)

Good Neighbors International (GNI) is an international humanitarian and development
NGO in general consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social
Council (UN-ECOSOC).
Since 2012, Good Neighbors Laos (GNL)began implementing the project in Meun
and Mok Districts (Vientiane Province) with an emphasis on integrated communitybased education and Community Development.
- Project Education Officer:Based inVientiane Capital
Responsibilities:
- Assist Project Manager in coordinating the implementation of the annual plan by
ensuring that Community based Education Project operate smoothly and achieve
the project goals and objectives.
- Assist the Project Performance, Monitor and Evaluate implementation of Education
activities to ensure that the project system.
- Develop and improved the Education Volunteers Program and Activities.
- Support the Volunteers Organizing to encourage the sustainable project.
- Reporting, information management and sharing
- Develop and maintain good relations with government, district, community and
village leaders and NGOs in the project target areas.
- Other tasks required by Project Manager
Requirement:
- Bachelordegree majoring in Development Studies, Social Science or other related
fields
- Minimum 3 year experience in a relevant position or INGO experience is preferred
- Good level of English and Computer skill (Microsoft Offices)
- Excellent organizational and communication skills
- Ability to work effectively with diverse multicultural and multidisciplinary teams
- Honest and trustworthy, hardworking and willing to learn
Application Information
All interested candidates are required to submit their Cover Letter and CVvia email
(gnlaos@gmail.com)or post by delivery to Good Neighbor office in Vientiane: Ban
Sisangvone, Saysettha Dist. P.O Box 11920 Vientiane Lao PDR Tel & Fax: 021 415
711. Please mention your expected salaryon your cover letter or CV and include with
three references. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for interview. The
deadline for application 20May 2016.
Vientiane Times
Oxfam is an international confederation of 17 organizations networked together in

94 countries, as part of a global movement for change, to build a future free from the
injustice of poverty.
Since 2009, the Oxfam confederation has accelerated its harmonisation process
working towards one voice and one programme in a single management structure.
Oxfam has a presence in Laos since the late 1980s, and works to deliver the country
strategy that focuses on sustainable livelihoods, humanitarian assistance, governance
and civil society, and gender and diversity.
Oxfam is currently looking for a: Finance Officer
In collaboration with Programme staff and partners, ensuring that project finance
management is effective and efficient.
Manage the day to day and ongoing disbursement of funds
Ensuring partners are informed and understand the financial requirement of Oxfam
and donors
Ensuring partners are enhanced in their ability to manage funds in an effective and
efficient way while ensuring compliance with donor requirements
Assist the FM in development of the finance strategy.
Experience in auditing, accounting and finance or Qualifications in Finance
Management or other related field is highly regarded
Ability to prepare and administer budgets
Demonstrated ability to work with multi disciplinary teams and stakeholders
(internally/externally) in management and control of finance policies and guidelines;
High analytical/negotiating/communication/inter-personal kills
Ability to work under highly stressful conditions
Sound understanding and compliance of safety and security issues relating to
development and humanitarian work;
Supervisory responsibilities
Ability to speak and write English fluently;
Good Accounting and Microsoft Office skills, particularly Word and Excel;
For further information, please refer to the website: www.directoryofngos.org and go
to Directory News/Job Openings.
Are you interested in this position? Send your application in writing, including a
motivation letter and curriculum vitae to sth@oxfamsol.be no later than 15 May 2016.
Vientiane Times
Tuesday May 3, 2016
15
16
Tuesday May 3, 2016
Vientiane Times
Vientiane Times
Tuesday May 3, 2016
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Tuesday May 3, 2016
Vientiane Times
Vientiane Times
Tuesday May 3, 2016
Vacancy Notice
19
REQUEST FOR EXPRESS OF INTEREST

LAO PEOPLES DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC
MINISTRY OF INDUSTRY AND COMMERCE
Small and Medium Enterprises Access to Finance Project
Credit No. 5471-LA, Grant No. H958-LA
The World Health Organization has a vacancy for a Lao National the position of:
National Technical Assistant for

Emerging Diseases, Surveillance and Response
To provide technical support to the Ministry of Health, National Centre for Laboratory and Epidemiology (NCLE), and
Department of Communicable Disease Control (DCDC), in the planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation
of emerging diseases surveillance, risk assessment and response activities in Lao PDR.
Duties:
1. Assist in planning of activities in the national work plan for emerging infectious diseases with focus on diseases
surveillance, risk assessment and response work area in line with APSED and IHR requirements, and participate
actively in the implementation of the annual activity work plan;
2. Assist in influenza and other infectious disease surveillance by combining information between the epidemiology
and laboratory, planning for and undertaking combined analysis of laboratory and epidemiology data, and
supporting to produce joint laboratory and epidemiology data for sharing information;
3. Assist Emerging Diseases Surveillance and Response (ESR) team and the Ministry of Health, National Centre
for Laboratory Epidemiology in implementing Acute Flaccid Paralysis (AFP) active surveillance and perform
field monitoring as necessary.
4. Assist NCLE in regular monitoring and maintain notifiable diseases surveillance database, particularly indicator
and event based surveillance under national surveillance system.
5. Assist in maintaining, updating and monitoring all ESR project activities and generate reports as required;
6. Provide ESR team with administrative support, if necessary
7. Perform translation any other tasks as requested by WHO ESR officer.
Project duration: 1 year from June 2016 with possible one year extension.
Education:
Essential: University degree in medicine or related public health or equivalent professional training.
Knowledge & skills:
Knowledge and experience in epidemiology, outbreak investigation and response, and communicable disease
control.
Skills in planning, training and implementation, and in the development of locally adapted tools and instruments.
Good communication and interpersonal skills. Ability to interact with health professionals at various levels and
to do work with national counterparts.
Ability to work harmoniously as a member of a team, adapt to diverse educational and cultural backgrounds.
Experience:
Essential: At least 1 year working experience in the field of public health.
Desirable: Experiences in epidemiology or disease surveillance and response.
Language: Excellent knowledge of written and spoken English and the local language.

Other Skills (e.g. IT): Proficiency in standard MS Office applications and other data base.
Interested and qualified candidates are invited to submit applications in the English language, with curriculum vitae
and photograph, by 10 May 2016 to:

The World Health Organization

125 Saphanthong Road, Unit 5 Ban Saphanthong Tai, Sisathanak District.
P.O. Box 343, Vientiane, Lao P.D R.
Tel: (856) 21 353902-904, Fax: (856) 21 353905
International Consultant for the Development

of a Strategy and Action Plan for the Collection and Analysis of SME Data
The Government of Lao PDR is receiving US$20 million financing from the World Bank Groups International
Development Association (IDA) for the Small and Medium Enterprise Access to Finance Project (SME A2F). The
Projects development objective is to provide long-term funding sources for banks to provide long-term credit to
small and medium enterprises (SMEs). The project will support the growth of privately-owned SMEs by increasing
the supply of long-term finance provided by commercial banks and by strengthening the capability of Department of
SME Promotion to formulate and implement public policies that promote access to finance for SMEs. The Project
includes three components: 1) A Line of Credit Facility; and 2) Technical Assistance.
Under Component 2, DOSMEP intends to recruit an International Consultant to provide technical assistance to
develop a strategy and action plan for the collection and analysis of data on the SME sector. The assignment is on
a part-time basis and will involve working from home as well as in Lao PDR.
The estimated inputs for this assignment are for 3 months to be provided part-time over a 12-month period. It
is expected that the majority of inputs will be delivered in Vientiane, Lao PDR working alongside government
officials. During the remaining time the consultant will ensure periodic contacts with her/his counterparts in Lao
PDR and continued supervision and monitoring of the work program distantly. The Consultantwill be supported by
the DOSMEP team during his assignment in Vientiane Capital and in the provinces.
The full text of the ToR can be accessed at the NIUs website: http://t4dlaos.org/index.php/en/work-with-us/vacancies.
In order to qualify for this assignment, the candidates shall meet the following experience and competence
requirements:

Masters Degree in Statistic Economics, Economics, Business Administration, Engineering or related field.
Minimum 5 years of experience in statistic and data collection for development projects, including planning,
coordination, technical and field surveys.
Experience with similar assignments in ASEAN countries will be an advantage.
Knowledge and experience with SMEs promotion and development will be an advantage.
Knowledge of Computer Information Systems including packages such as Microsoft Office, Database, etc.
would be an advantage.
Ability to communicate effectively, in writing and orally in English is essential.
Excellent interpersonal skills and willingness to work as part of a team.
Excellent analytical and presentation skills.
Ability to work in a complex, cross-cultural working environment.
The attention of interested Consultants is drawn to paragraph 1.9 of the World Banks Guidelines: Selection and
Employment of Consultants under IBRD Loans and IDA Credits & Grants by World Bank Borrowers, January
2011 (Consultant Guidelines), setting forth the World Banks policy on conflict of interest. The Consultant will
be selected based on Individual Consultants selection method set out in the Consultant Guidelines.
The NIU now invites interested applicants to provide information indicating that you are qualified to perform the
services (curriculum vitae with expressions of interest and references). Interested Applicants may obtain further
information at the address below. Expressions of interest must be delivered to the address below or no later than May
31, 2016, 16:00 oclock (submissions via email are also acceptable). Only Short-listed candidates will be contacted.
Attn: Mr. Sengphanomchone Inthasane, NIU Manager
CC: Mr. Keophouthone Inthivong, Procurement Officer
Ministry of Industry and Commerce, National Implementation Unit (NIU)
Ban Phonxay, Xaysettha District, Vientiane Capital, Lao PDR
Tel: +856 (21) 41 39 16 45 39 82; Fax: +856(21) 41 39 16,
E-mail: keophouthone.in@laosaft.org; cc amphaphone.t@laosaft.org
20
Tuesday May 3, 2016
Vientiane Times
Vientiane Times
Tuesday May 3, 2016
21
22
Tuesday May 3, 2016
Vientiane Times
Vientiane Times
Tuesday May 3, 2016
Culture
Fascinating cultural
experiences await at the
centre of Gangnam
The C-parade passes by the Convention and Exhibition Centre in

Samseong-dong.
--Photo Gangnam-gu Office.
Korea (The Korea Herald,

ANN) -- The creative culture
festival C-Festival 2016
will be taking place at the
Convention and Exhibition
Centre in Samseong-dong from
May 4-8.
The annual festival, jointly
launched by Coex and the
World Trade Centre Seoul in
2015, will present events and
programmes featuring K-pop,
art, culture, and technology. It
will also feature programmes
that cater to specific needs
such as family time, romance,
exhibitions and conventions
and healing. More details can be
viewed on its website www.cfestival.com.

Throughout the five-day
festival, exhibitions based on
various themes spanning from
desserts to technology will
be held at Coex Halls and the
lobby.
The C# exhibition will
showcase unique themes,
creating a venue for cultural
and artistic experiences. During
the exhibition, there will be
sweet treats and desserts, pop
art by renowned artists, rookie
designers newly launched
brands, as well as Arabic
culture.
Press photos taken by about

500 photojournalists last year
will also be on display at the
lobby under the title Capture
the Movement & the Times.
Photo and video equipment
will be also showcased on the
first floor, including cameras,
camcorders, lenses and memory
cards.
The festival will also cater
to K-pop fans.
As part of the grand finale
of the festival, hallyu stars,
including Psy, 11-member girl
group I.O.I, and boy bands iKON
and Winner, will perform at
Yeongdong-daero at 7 pm on
May 8.
Moreover, for those who
want to explore the world of
K-pop, SM Entertainment will
be offering a studio experience at
the SMTOWN Open House. The
agency will provide visitors with
hair and makeup styling, dance
and vocal training, and photo
shoots -- just like K-pop stars.
Meanwhile, in celebration
of Childrens Day, a parade with
giant balloons featuring various
characters and the traditional
cultures of 50 countries will
take place along the Coex
building from 2 pm to 4 pm
on May 5.
Asian Development Bank (ADB)

Lao PDR Resident Mission
Invitation for Bids
The Asian Development Bank now invites sealed bids from eligible and qualified bidders forthe
demolition of an existing building and construction of a new office block within the compound
of ADB at Vientiane. The construction work is to be completed within 8 months from the date
of notification of contract award.
National Competitive Bidding (NCB) will be conducted in accordance with ADBs Single-Stage:
One-Envelope procedure. The NCB is open to all Bidders from eligible countries as described
in the Bidding Document.
Only eligible Bidders with the following key qualifications should participate in this bidding:
(i) Should be a reputable firm with independent legal existence for a minimum of three(3)
years and registered with the Ministry of Public Work and Transport;
(ii) Have a minimum of three(3) years construction experience related toinfrastructure buildings
located in urban areas (ie. institutional and commercial office projects);
(iii) Have an average annual construction turnover of at least US$ 400,000 over the past three
(3) years from 2013 to 2015;
(iv) Have successfully completed at least one similar project in Lao consisting of demolition
and reconstruction of office block to showcase companys expertise/capability inthis kind of
project which require environmental control and pollution prevention while some buildings
in the compound are used for business operation;
(v) Should be a firm with a business license providing only building construction services
involvingexterior and interior architectural, civil, and structural engineering works; and
(vi) Should not be under a declaration or record of ineligibility for corrupt and/or fraudulent
practices issued or kept by ADB.
To obtain bidding documents, further information and inspect the bidding documents, Bidders
should contact:
Senior Finance/Administrative Officer
Asian Development Bank
Corner of Lanexang Av. &Samsenthai Rd.
P.O. Box 9724
Vientiane, Lao PDR
Tel: 021 250 444
E-mail: svongthevanh@adb.org
From 8:30-11:30 and 13:30 16:00 hours, Monday to Friday, from09May 2016 to 26 May 2016.
Deliver your bid
Address to: Country Director
Asian Development Bank


Corner of Lanexang Av. &Samsenthai Rd.

P.O. Box 9724

Vientiane, Lao PDR
On or before 27May 2016 at 14:00 pm
together with a Bid Security as described in the Bidding Documents.
www.adb.org/lrm
23
Five Easy Pieces by Swiss director Milo Rau/IIPM International Institute of Political Murder and Campo
has children talking about adult issues.
15 new works for

Singapores festival of arts
Singapore (The Straits
Times, ANN) -- Continuing last
years theme of presenting new
work, this years Singapore
International Festival of Arts
(Sifa) has 15 creations in its
main season line-up of 20
shows.
Among the productions
running between Aug 11
and September 17 are eight
collaborations between
Singaporean and international
artists, in keeping with the
festival theme of Potentialities
and the potential inherent in the
individual in todays globalised
world.
Israeli architect Ron Arad
and Singapores Brian Gothong
Tan will create a cinema-theatre
hybrid at Gardens by the Bay
called Tropical Traumas: A
Series Of Cinematographic
Choreographies, which runs
from September 2 to 4. Arad
will first create his crowdpleasing interactive outdoor
installation, 7200, previously
showcased in London and
Jerusalem. The cylinder, 18m
in diametre, is made of 5,600
suspended silicon cords that
serve as the screen for film
projections. It also houses a
runway across its centre.
This is the stage on which
Tan will direct a 70-minute
play inspired by the writings
of Victorian- era explorers
including Sophia Raffles. Six
performers will interact with
one another as well as with
Tans multimedia creations.
Tan, 36, is no stranger
to directing theatre; this is
his fourth outing. But the
stage in Gardens by the Bay
presents challenges including
competition from the nightly
sound-and-light show.
Still, he says, he is excited.
Doing something for the
festival, theres no limit to the
imagination.
Festival director Ong Keng
Sen says: We are moving
towards an entirely creationdriven festival. We are refusing
to be a glamorous shopper
goi ng around t he w orld
shopping for productions, but
instead, were investing in the
artists and the process.
This editions focus on
the future follows from the
2014 theme of examining

20th-century legacies such as
apartheid and last years theme,
Post-Empires. The latter
had 12 critically acclaimed
homegrown productions reexamining Singapores history
and present- day issues such as
immigration and housing woes.
Ong adds: Weve looked
at global issues in the last two
festivals. In this edition, we
have to bring attention to the
individual who is changing
the world in his context.
This is very important in
Singapore, which always
talks about the large,
engineered plan, but not
the individual in this large,
engineered plan.
Other commissioned
works in the US$5-million
festival include I Am LGB,
a r t i s t L o o Z i h a n s r e examination of Americab o r n R a y L a n g e n b a c h s
performance art created in
Singapore in the 1990s - works
which included drinking his
own blood. Loo, 33, will use
TheatreWorks space at 72-13
Mohamed Sultan Road for
the four-hour performance
tailored for 60 viewers at a
time. He pored over a decade
of footage and archival
material for I Am LGB and
also speaks regularly with
Langenbach, now a professor
at the University of Arts in
Helsinki.
Loo says: Its probably
the most ambitious work Ive
taken on. He was ahead of his
time, talking about political
ideology and indoctrination,
and the audience was not
ready for it.
Also pushing the envelope
is the festival co-produced
Five Easy Pieces, directed
by Switzerlands Milo Rau.
Performers are aged eight to
13, but perform for adults in a
script about taboo topics such
as paedophilia. Ong says he
is curious how the Media
Development Authority will
rate this show; not all shows
unveiled at the press preview
yesterday have been rated.
He adds: Will children
be allowed to see it? It deals
with the fact that children are
harnessing power from a very
young age. They know if they

cry, their parents will react, for
example. Its important that we
dont shy away from that.
Also making its Asian
debut is Egyptian play The
Last Supper, a comedy about
a family after the Arab Spring,
the wave of protests that
started in Tunisia in 2010
and spread through the Arab
world. Ong says that among
the potentialities the festival
addresses are the post 9-11
fears of terror and the Arab
world.
Similarly, the pre-festival
programme The O.P.E.N.,
from June 22 to July 9,
features talks, works and
performances from littleheard communities, including
N e w s h a Ta v a k o l i a n , a n
Iranian photojournalist, and
Perhat Khaliq, a rock star
from the mainly Muslim
Uighur community in China.
The main season features
innovations in traditional
theatre. The opening act
at Drama Centre Theatre
is Canadian theatre-maker
Robert Lepages Hamlet/
Collage with Russias Theatre
Of Nations. This adaptation
of the Shakespeare play is
a one-man show performed
by Evgeny Mironov in a
spinning, suspended opensided cube.
With Shakespeare
on many minds this year
- the Bards 400th death
anniversary - Ong will direct
Sandaime Richard (Japanese
for Richard III), a playful take
on the play, from September
8 to 10 at Victoria Theatre.
Shakespeare himself is put on
trial with Singaporean Janice
Koh playing his prosecutor
Maachan of Venice (a play on
The Merchant Of Venice) and
professional Kabuki onnagata
(female impersonator)
Kazutaro Nakamura
as Richard Sandaime.
The script is from wellknown playwright Hideki
Noda, whose play about
xenophobia, Red Demon,
has been staged here at least
twice, but has been trimmed
and will be performed in
Japanese, English as well as
Bahasa Indonesia.
24
Vientiane Times
Tuesday May 3, 2016
Travel
Jeju: Heaven for filming, sport, adventure and landscapes
A couple make a romantic scene on Jeju Island.
Asian tourists flock to Jeju to witness the places they see in their favourite drama series.
Ounkham Pimmata
eju Island of the Republic

of Korea inspires Asian
tourists to follow the
beautiful scenes of their
favourite TV drama series
by visiting some of the film
locations for themselves.
In 2010, Chuno is the
plot of a drama about chasing
servants who fled away during
the Joseon Dynasty. The
drama attracted many viewers
due to the rapid progression
of its story and spectacular
camerawork.
I n p a r t i c u l a r, a d u e l
between Taeha (Oh,ji-ho)
and Cheol woong (Lee, Jonghyeok) on Yongmeori Beach is
an unforgettable scene. Besides
that, the drama captures scenic
views of Jeju by filming Jeju
Olle, Sanbang, Mountian, and
Bijarim.
As the Chuno drama
became popular among Asian
audiences, it later inspired
more drama and filmmakers to
travel to the filming locations
of Jeju and each year there are a
lot films and dramas produced
here.
The growth of the film

industry and Korean drama
series becoming so popular is
a positive for the Jeju tourism
industry, which receives a
large number of local tourists
followed by Chinese visitors
who have fallen in love
with the Korean series and
following the beautiful places
in the scenes.
Jeju is located southwest
of the Korean peninsula; it has
been designed as Jeju special
self-governing province, and
it is Koreas largest island. A
world-famous volcanic island
with more than 90 percent of its
total area covered with basalt,
it is a strategically located
island which connects the
continental nations (Russia
and China) to island nations
(Japan and Southeast Asia)
with magnificent views.
Jeju is an oval-shaped
island that is 73 km from
east to west and 31km from
north to south, with Hallasan
Mountain in the centre. The
island has a coastal ring road
of 176 km and 530.09 km of
coastline. It has a temperate
climate with temperatures that
rarely drop below zero degrees.

Jeju Island has developed
many fun activities to attract
tourists, not just sitting to
watch the sky and the sea or
following places in drama
series, it offers leisure sports,
beautiful landscapes and
museums.
Jeju also offers tourists
convenient options to make
vacations here with friends, as
a couple, and with children or
even alone.
Travel with friends.
You could be building better
friendships through Munseom
Scuba Diving; this area is a
popular destination for scuba
divers because it has many
colonies of fish living in the
soft coral habitats.
Zipline Jeju you can
enjoy this thrilling and
dynamic zipline while
appreciating the great views
of the mountains and oceans
at Daheeyeon; it is designed
to offer views of the green
tea farms and various natural
attractions that will leave you
breath taken.
Iho Taewoo beach offers
you windsurfing, jet skiing or
playing beach volleyball. Of

course you and your friend
can also have fun together
catching fish such as sea
bream, large-scale blackfish
or sand smelt. There are also
two log houses shaped like
red and white horses which
provide an additional attraction
at the beach.
Travel as a couple
Sehwa-Seongsan Coastal
Road is a fantastic driving
course where the beautiful blue
sea and the sky are in harmony.
The entire course is 12 km and
it is refreshing to drive on the
straight coastal road. During
travelling, dont miss stopping
at the Byeolbangjiseong,
Seokdawon and the Hadori
Sanctuary for Migratory Birds
as well.
Seopjikoji is a famous
filming location for the Korean
drama All In. In spring it has
magnificent coastal scenery
and yellow rape flowers with
the backdrop of Seongsan
(Sunrise Peak). In the fall it has
a romantic atmosphere when
the wildflowers bloom and the
gold reeds blow in the wind.
Honinji pond is the place
where three princesses from
the Byeokrangguk Kingdom
bathed before their wedding
and caves that served as the

bridal chambers remain intact.
The area is famous for its
beautiful red lotus blooms in
the summer.
Jeju Love Land is a theme
sculpture park, which presents
accurate information and
wisdom about sexual values.
Vacation with children
Aqua Planet Jeju is the
largest aquarium in Asia; it is a
representative tourist attraction
that you must see in Jeju that
provides children and their
parents with the opportunity
to witness various marine life
such as sea elephants, manta
rays and dolphins.
The Trick Art Museum
exhibits reproductions of
artwork s p a i n t e d b y 5 0
masters of western art,
including KlimT and Van
Gogh but adds a little extra.
The two-dimensional works
are expressed in threedimensions and visitors can
touch them. IUt also creates
illusions and allows visitors
to take various pictures and
paintings.
Jeju Horse Race Park is a
designated natural monument
to mark the importance of
protecting the islands local
horses. The venue not only has
a horse racetrack but also a zoo
where children can get close
to the animals, and childrens
horse riding, so the whole

family can enjoy themselves.
Traveling alone
Sinyang beach is located on
the cape near Seopjikoji and is
a perfect place for windsurfing
because the cape protects the
beach from sea waves. There is
a training centre for surfers and
it also holds the international
windsurfing championships.
The Museum of Sex and
Health has six exhibit halls
where you can hear about
diversified sex culture,
including various adult
goods and the pornography
production process, and look
around at sculptures of male
and female body parts in the
outside garden.
Gwakji Gwamul Beach
is calm and quiet. Even in
summer, the water is cold
so it is perfect on hot, sunny
days; singles can freshen up
after swimming by washing
in the yongcheonsu (spring
water) open-air baths next to
the beach.
How to get to Jeju Island
There are many direct
flights from Seoul to Jeju
Island every day, with flights
taking about 50 minutes
before arrival. Taxis, city
buses and intercity buses are
standing ready to serve you
from the airport with other
destinations on Jeju Island.
Online advertisement
Tourists ride bicycles on Jeju Island as one of the leisure sports which it offers.
Advertising your
products at www.vientianetimes.org.la will
bring benefits to your
company. Customers
around the world will
appreciate the quality
of your products via the Vientiane Times
website. For more information
please contact:
Tel: 336042, 336048
Fax: 336041,
Email: editor@vientianetimes.la
Vientiane Times
Tuesday May 3, 2016
25
Opinion
Streetwise
Are workers fairly treated by their employers?
International Labor Day is globally recognised on May 1 and has its roots in worker protests
that demanded fair working conditions. But many workers in Laos still suffer at the hands of
their employers as they not only have to work hard but are not paid a decent wage. Vientiane
Times went out and about to test public opinion on the issue.
Times Reporters
Ms Souphalath Xayxana,
a student at the Institute of
Banking: This year is the
130th International Labour

Day and is a very important
occasion, especially for
people in less developed
or developing countries. It
makes everyone aware that
workers have rights that
should be respected. In Laos
people work hard but dont
get much money. Some
companies require their staff
to work more than eight
hours a day and workers are
unable to protest or have their
rights upheld in the event of
unfair treatment or a dispute.
Workers should do more
to exercise their rights by
stopping work in the face of
unreasonable demands. Then
the authorities would have
to step in and take action.
Many countries around the
world are now paying more
attention to this issue. The
Lao government should open
their eyes to this problem
and check up on companies
operations to monitor how
employees are treated.
Ms Phoneviva Vongsomphu,
a college student in
Vientiane: In Laos a lot of
workers remain poor because
the wages are so low. Even

though the government has
stipulated that the minimum
monthly wage is 900,000
kip, many people are still
paid less. And many people
have to work seven days a
week and sometimes they
dont get a holiday unless its
an international holiday. Of
course, some people like to
work hard and work every
day, including at weekends
around the country so that

more people gain more skills.
I really think the government
should pay more attention
to this issue. I think workers
paid. Sometimes they dont

get paid until long after
their wages are due but
theres nothing they can do
about it, and those with a
low level of education are
especially downtrodden. Of
course workers have rights
but unfortunately in Laos
these are often ignored and
people cannot protest and
feel they lack government
support. In any business
operation, the owners and
managers will try to make as
much profit as possible. The
government should do more
to uphold workers rights and
employers should be forced
to comply with the law.
and employers need to have

more respect for each other.
Welfare is also important for
workers and they need more
benefits than they have at
present. This would make
them value their jobs more
and be more diligent in their
and on holidays, because they work. Employers should not
want to get more money but
require people to work too
its not good for them because long or too hard. The law sets
they need a break sometimes. limits on the number of hours
And workers rights dictate
that people can work in a day,
that they should not work on
including overtime. Many
a holiday. The government
companies and factories
should do more to improve
disregard the rules, both in
living standards, especially
the government and private
as the cost of living is rising
sectors, and some people
every year. I hope the new
have to start work early and
government will pass laws
finish late.
that will protect workers
rights and ensure they can
Mr Vandy, a company
grow and prosper.
employee in Vientiane: To
ensure workers are treated
Mr Souphasith Nunthavong, fairly, the government
a businessman in
should help them to build
Khamhoung village,
up a good relationship
Xaythany district, Vientiane: with their employers and
Workers are fundamental to
enforce the law with regard
the countrys development.
to working conditions and
What the government
pay. Many workers in Laos
needs to do now is improve
are disrespected by their
workers skills by building
employers as they have to
vocational training centres
work hard but are poorly
Mr Sonesuksith
Xaysomphaeng, a student at
Attention Vientiane Times subscribers

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

Centre in Vientiane:
Many people want to get
a job with the government
because the benefits and
other aspects of work are

better. Working for a private
company is sometimes not
very good, and workers are

not always treated well. I
know that many people who
work in factories say they
have to work overtime if
their employer needs a job
completed quickly. This
mainly happens at the end
of the month or when a
company has an order that
must be filled in a rush.
Some days they dont go
home until almost midnight
and then they have to go
to work early the next day.
They only get one day off a
week. They say they dont
like working like this but they
have to because its the same
in other factories. I think they
have a tough life and in some
cases Im sure their rights are
infringed.
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26 Opinion
Vientiane Times
Tuesday May 3, 2016
Security threats call for Make health screening

Asia to come together compulsory and free under
China (China Daily, ANN)
-- How to deal with the
unprecedented security threats
that Asia faces tops the agenda
at the two-day Conference on
Interaction and Confidence
Building Measures in Asia,
which opened in Beijing last
week.
In particular, the
shadows of war looming
over the Korean Peninsula,
as a result of the repeated
nuclear and missile tests
by the Democratic Peoples
Republic of Korea in
defiance of the latest UN
Security Council resolution,
and the tensions building
up in the South China Sea
as a result of the frequent
freedom of navigation
operations being conducted
by the United States, which
challenge Chinas maritime
sovereignty, pose severe and
worsening threats to regional
peace and stability.
They also risk
compromising economic
prosperity in Asia, which
accounts for more than onethird of the worlds GDP and
is home to 60 percent of the
worlds population.
Failures to solve these
and other issues have partly
stemmed from a lack of
trust among the countries
involved, and each pursuing
its own national interests.
Participants at the
conference should make the
MediShield Life
President Xi Jinping greets delegates at the opening ceremony of the

fifth meeting of foreign ministers of the Conference on Interaction
and Confidence Building Measures in Asia at the Diaoyutai State
Guesthouse in Beijing on Thursday. --Photo Wu Zhiyi / China Daily
best use of the platform to

try and build up trust and
explore ways to set up a
new framework that defines
regional security cooperation
on a larger scale.
Addressing the opening
ceremony of the fifth CICA
foreign ministers meeting,
President Xi Jinping stressed
Chinas resolve to prevent
war or chaos on the Korean
Peninsula and to achieve
its denuclearisation through
dialogue and consultation.
And he reiterated that,
while China will firmly
safeguard its sovereignty,
rights and interests, it is
willing to engage in friendly

consultations and dialogues
to make the South China Sea
a sea of peace, friendship and
cooperation.
China, the largest country
in Asia and a UN Security
Council permanent member,
now holds the rotating
presidency of the CICA, and
it is determined to play its
due part in safeguarding and
promoting security in Asia in
a responsible way.
As Xi said, China is
committed to forging a new
kind of international relations
featuring cooperation and
reciprocity.
Business Plan Contest at Laos-Japan Human

Resource Development Institute
To support Lao entrepreneurs in writing business Plan, Laos-Japan Human Resource
Development Institute, NUOL will organize the Business Plan Contest to select the
winner(s) to participate in Regional Business Plan Contest among 3 countries: Laos,
Cambodia and Thailand as in the following:
Date: 24 June 2016
Time: 9:00 am to 16:00 pm
Venue: Laos-Japan Institute, National University of Laos (NUOL)
Therefore, Laos-Japan Institute would like to inform the entrepreneur who is interested
in this contest to submit your business plan to Laos-Japan Institute no later than 17 June
2016. If you are selected, you will have an opportunity to join the study tour in Japan.
Business plan development guideline:
Each business plan to be sent to the contest should cover following minimum main
contents:
Corporate Philosophy
Positioning/Differentiation (4Cs, X-Y axis, value)
Information Gathering
Analysis (SWOT)
Strategy and 6W2H
Operations
CSFs
Business Flow
Organization
Assumptions
Financial Appraisal
Contact Phone number: 030- 5841519, 020 2222 5303; Email: ljibzcourse@gmail.com
Singapore (The Straits

Times, ANN) -- The launch of
MediShield Life last year was
a major milestone in healthcare
for Singapore.
With it, for the first time,
every Singaporean and
permanent resident is assured
insurance coverage to protect
them against large hospital
bills, from the time they are
born till the day they die. This
is especially crucial for people
suffering from chronic ailments
that require lifetime care, such
as heart or kidney failure, and
certain cancers.
The Ministry of Health
(MOH) must be applauded
for taking this major step.
But it should not stop there.
By underwriting the major
healthcare cost of everyone,
it is certainly in MediShield
Lifes interest to keep people as
healthy as possible for as long as
possible, as this is the only way
to ensure that healthcare bills
remain manageable.
It is time for MOH to
consider making health
screening compulsory within
the MediShield Life framework.
This is one good way to control
rising hospital bills.
Already, the Life Insurance
Association says that in recent
years, claims for B1 and A
class wards have increased by
12 per cent a year while those
for private hospitals have risen
by 17 per cent a year. Higher
claims inevitably lead to higher
premiums that everyone will
have to pay.
Many studies have shown
how proven health screening
can catch diseases early, and as a
result, reduce treatment costs as
well as suffering by the patient.
This is where MediShield
Life can come in - since it is the
one that will bear a large part of
the cost of treatment. It should
make it compulsory for people
to screen for certain diseases at
certain ages.
Screening, for example,
can dramatically reduce the
incidence of some cancers.
This not just results in better
lives for the patients, but also
significantly reduces the cost
of healthcare treatment to the
nation.
The case for mandatory
screening
This is why, in the United
States, most health plans must
offer preventive services such
as vaccinations and screening
tests, at no additional cost to the
insured.
Insurers there know that it is
to their benefit to pay for such
screening as it will reduce the
amount they would need to pay
out if the disease is caught late.
The US National Cancer
Institute says 59 percent of adults
aged 50 to 75 have screened for
colorectal cancer according to
its guidelines. Cases of colon
cancer there have fallen from 51
to 37 per 100,000 people from
2003 to 2013.
If polyps in the colon and
rectum are discovered and
removed, they do not become
cancerous.
While treatment for
this cancer has improved
tremendously, preventing it is
always better. Today, this is

the most common cancer in
Singapore, with close to 2,000
people diagnosed a year.
Other cancers with high
screening rates in the US
include cervical and breast,
and deaths from these cancers
have also gone down.
While the actual cost
effectiveness of national
screening varies because such
costs will take into account
not just the cost of treatment,
but also loss of working years,
there is no doubt about the
benefits in terms of human
suffering.
This is why countries
push for certain diseases to
be screened. Not all diseases
can be screened for. But where
such screening is effective and
available - such as for diabetes
- they can go a long way in
curbing rising incidence and
healthcare costs.
Why make screening
mandatory, when there are
already heavily subsidised
ones, you may ask.
It is true that Singapore
already has national screening
programmes that are heavily
subsided or even free. For
some, Medisave can be used.
Yet the take-up rate remains
low.
As a result, Health
Minister Gan Kim Yong told
Parliamentearlier this month
that a third of diabetics here
do not even know they have
the disease.
Diabetes is a terrible disease,
largely because it is silent till
things go wrong - and when that
happens, it can affect many parts
of the body.
In Singapore, diabetes is the
top cause of kidney failure - the
number of people on dialysis
more than doubled from 2,764
in 2000 to 5,912 in 2014, and the
number continues to rise every
year. It is also one of the top
causes of blindness and results
in at least two amputations a day.
To make things worse,
Singapore has one of the
highest rates of diabetes among
developed countries, second
only to the US.
And thats just diabetes.
Based on national healthcare
surveys by the MOH, one in four
people here with hypertension
and almost half of those with
high cholesterol levels dont
know they have these conditions.
Both are major risk factors in
heart disease and stroke.
Being unaware, they do
not take steps to prevent their
conditions from becoming
severe.
The bottom line is that
screening tools exist that can
alert people in the early stages
of a disease, be it diabetes,
cancer or cardiovascular
disease. Whatever the reason
- fear, ignorance, apathy the fact is that people arent
making use of them, even when
screening programmes are free
or heavily subsidised.
But, of course, people can
find out they have a disease
and still not do anything about
it. Mr Gan shared that of the
people who know that they
have diabetes, one in three have
poor control over their blood

sugar levels. But the first step is
to make sure that people know
that they have, or are heading
towards, a serious medical
condition.
And the only way to do that
here, it appears, is to make such
screening tests compulsory.
It would be best if these
tests are provided free of
charge. There are many studies
that show it is far cheaper to
screen and to catch a disease
early, rather than not screen and
to pay for treatment later.
US insurers - hard-headed
businesses - obviously believe
this to be true as they provide
selected free vaccinations
and health screening to their
policyholders.
But offering free screening
tests alone will not be enough,
as there will always be people
who would rather not know,
or find it too much of a hassle
since they are not feeling sick.
So MediShield Life should
impose a penalty on people
who refuse to screen - such as
adding a loading to their annual
premiums which will remain in
place until they get screened.
There will, of course, be
exceptions, such as people who
have already been diagnosed
with the disease. It no longer
makes sense for them to
screen, and it would be unfair
to penalise them for having
the disease. Those who screen
under private schemes can
simply get their doctor to let
MediShield Life know that the
test has been done.
To prevent concern that
people would be disadvantaged
if their insurance company or
employer finds out they have
serious medical conditions,
the results of the tests should
remain confidential between
doctor and patient.
MediShield Life only needs
to know that the test has been
done and the patient informed.
What to screen for
Exactly what diseases
MediShield Life should screen
for and when they should be
done, can be determined by
a panel of medical experts,
drawing from the ample pool
of studies available.
It will be tedious work but
not rocket science to suss out
which screening might be costeffective.
For example, cancer,
cardiovascular disease and
diabetes together account for
almost half the years of illness
suffered by people here. Today,
Singaporean men live about
nine years with poor health, and
women, almost 11 years.
The idea is to ensure that
people discover such conditions
early, so that they are able to nip
them in the bud, or get their
condition treated so it does
not become a major problem
that will result in high hospital
bills. Early treatment can also
spare them suffering for weeks,
months or years.
It would be a massive boon
- to individuals and potentially
to the Budget - if the number of
unhealthy years can be reduced
through health screening and
early care.
Vientiane Times
Tuesday May 3, 2016
27
Arts & Leisure
Fashion designers partner

with bank for profitable future
Sisouphan Amphonephong
A fashion show jointly organised

by Banque Franco-Lao (BFL)
and Lao Fashion Week took
place on Thursday night at the
Settha Palace hotel, marking yet
another milestone in the growth
of the Lao fashion scene.
The event served to introduce
BFLs fixed term deposit account
and showcase the collections of
Lao Fashion Week designers
Khang and Voravaj.
The evening was sponsored
by the Lao Brewery Group,
Aenoteca, Yves Rocher and New
Wave Hair Studio.
Advertising its services, BFL
said it makes it a point of honour
to provide products that meet
customers needs.
With this in mind, the bank
innovates in term of its services
and offers a Visa package that
includes insurance and a savings
account. The bank says the
best way to build a future is
to save every month through
fixed amounts, which are
transferred automatically. Its
fixed term deposit offer is named
Fashion Fixed Term. BFL offers
a Longchamp bag to anyone
opening such an account.
In addition, BFL supports
associations in several sectors
as well as young entrepreneurs,
as the bank believes Laos
will develop if we provide
opportunities for all talents to
grow.
BFL said it was proud to
sponsor Lao Fashion Week. Ms
Pany Saignavongs and her team
allowed young talents to realise
their dreams by giving them the
opportunity to go to France to
study fashion design.
Speaking at the event, BFLs
Managing Director said he was
constantly reminded of how well
regarded Laos is when it comes
to Lao fashion and the impact
that Lao designers and fashion
retailers have on Lao culture.
He said the track record in
fashion really highlights the
innovative and unique nature of
Laos traditions and culture and
this has significant benefits for
the nation.
I am here today to
represent BFLs commitment
to Lao business. BFL recently
celebrating its fifth anniversary
and is now planning for the
next five years. One of the main
objectives is to support women
in business, he added.
We tailor our products and
Schoolgirls are especially attracated to the garlands.
Cocoon art weaves a spell

with exhibit visitors
Visith Teppalath
Owner of the Khang collection, Ms Viengkham Nanthavongdouangsy,

strikes a pose during an auction in support of the Lao Young
Designers project.
promotions to serve the market

accordingly. One of them, as
you may have noticed today,
is what we call Fashion Fixed
Term Deposit with our bank.
I am honoured to have this
opportunity to come and talk to
you all and I am confident that
this fashion week will play an
important role in helping to raise
recognition of Lao fashion.
The founder of Lao Fashion
Week, Ms Pany Saignavongs,
expressed her sincere gratitude
to all the sponsors including the
Lao Brewery Group, the French
Embassy, Campus France
Institut de France, and Esmod
International among others.
She also took the opportunity
to tell everyone about Lao
Fashion Week, which will take
place from September 12-16.
It will be a week full of art,
culture and fashion activities
with more designers from Lao
and the international stage
participating.
By mid May,the top ten Best
Young Designers and the winner
of Lao Young Designers 2016
will be announced. They will
receive full scholarships to study
fashion design at Esmod in Paris.
Speaking about the Lao
Young Designers Project, Ms
Pany said she was very proud
to be able to achieve the goal of
supporting and promoting young
Tot Vilouna, Lao Fashion Weeks

ambassador, wears a dress from
the Khang collection.
talents in Laos.
Mr Billy Siamphan
Chanthavichit, the winner of the
Lao Young Designer 2015, is
now studying at Esmod and will
finish his six months intensive
course in July.
Ms Pany said she hoped to
be able to send more young Lao
designers to study abroad in the
future.
The fashion show featured
a collection by Khang from the
Phaeng Mai Gallery and the Thai
designer of the Voravaj brand.
A fashion auction took
place afterwards to raise money
in support of the Lao Young
Designers Project.
nnovative handicrafts
created under the One
District, One Product
scheme are attracting a
large number of followers and
piquing curiosity.
A group of villagers from
Keokou village in Keo-oudom
district, Vientiane province, is
creating colourful items from
the silkworm cocoons they
produce, which feed on the
leaves of the mulberry trees
they grow.
They do not have much
experience as artists but are
innovative and have been
inspired to turn the cocoons
into work of art.
By gluing them together
they have produced imitation
flowers, fruits and other items
such as garlands, all made in
bright colours.
They also make miniature
markbeng, the pyramid shaped
centrepiece used in Buddhist
rituals.
Because of the unique
nature of their handicrafts, the
villagers have attracted a lot of
attention.
Last week the group
exhibited their products at
a fair held to mark World
Intellectual Property Day at
Lao-ITECC in Vientiane.
The group was one of several
One District, One Product
exhibitors at the event.
They have been growing
mulberry trees and keeping
silkworms for a long time.
Colourful
garlands,
imitation
fruits and
other
innovative
items
made from
silkworm
cocoons.
Models display items from the Khang collection.
Cocoons are cleverly assembled to form markbeng, the centrepiece

of traditional religious ceremonies.
The groups main work is

to distribute and sell silkworms
and silk, but decided to recycle
some of the used cocoons and
put them to good use.
Now they have found an
additional source of income
from their customary line of
work as silk producers.
The group has
occasionally represented
Vi e n t i a n e p r o v i n c e b y
displaying its cocoon art
at exhibitions around the
country, and has generated
a large number of fascinated
followers.
The head of the group,
Mr Somphone Chanthadala,
told Vientiane Times he was
pleased that their handiwork
had so much public exposure
as it helped to boost interest in
innovative art forms in addition
to the commercial products
usually made under the One
District, One Product scheme.
He said the group turned the
cocoons into decorative items

as a means of producing a new
art form, using an otherwise
useless natural material, and
reminding people how many
things can actually be recycled.
Our group has exhibited
their work in Laos and other
countries several times. We try
to keep on improving to make
the items neat and attractive.
They are environmentally
friendly and we feel the prices
are reasonable. We make a
wide range of items and lots
of people are interested in
them. They buy them to give
as presents or display in their
homes. Of course, we plan to
come up with new designs in
the future.
But to make real
improvements and rise to
international standards, we
need more public support and
ask everyone to help us by
buying one of our very special
handicrafts, he added.
28
Tuesday May 3, 2016
Classified
Vientiane Times
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Email: lao.heritage@gmail.com
RentsBuy Co., Ltd is a leading professional real estate

company offering;house, land, apartment, office,
warehouse, business for rent /for sale and
property valuation throughout Lao PDR.
Dongpainar Rd., Ban Phontan, Saysetta
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Office mobile: 021 262319/20, 020 23333347,
77600059
www.RentsBuy.com email: rentsbuy@gmail.com
VPS
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Laoland Company is a long established and leading real estate

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We speak English, French, Japanese and Chinese.
For further details, please feel free to contact us
At 020 5551 0155, 2366 6333, 2826 4781, 021 453 919
For Advertisement, Please call Ms Tou 021 453 919, 020 5654
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Email: Laoland.realestate@gmail.com
oad.laoland@gmail.com,
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Website: www.laoland.com
Vientiane Times on CD-ROM

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

model and old, sedan & 4 wheel such as:
MG.TOYOTA. NISSAN. KIA. HYUNDAI,
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Provide vehicle for Project & Private
Affordable price and best service
Office B. Thonkang, R. sokpalaung 15/279
For English call Mr. Chanh anytime
Tel: 020 55599900. 55593013,
office: 030 9800630
Email: vpscarrental@yahoo.com
www.vpscarrental.com
Sale & Rental houses.
We find you a suitable accommodation in Vientiane.

Price range from Kip 4 000 000 and up.
Apartments & houses reasonable price available now.
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Call for free advice and pick up at your convenience.
Tel: 020 55 51 25 02 and 020 588 94 567.
Email: oudalee_rangsy@yahoo.com
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Vientiane Times
Tuesday May 3, 2016
Vacancy
Announcement
Eastern Star Bilingual School is
looking for staff for various positions.
Below are the open positions and
their duties.
Staff Director: Following up and
managing cleaners. Responsible
from hygiene of the school English
speaking candidates are more
preferred.
Technician: Responsible from
maintenance of the school ground.
Candidates must have knowledge
and skills of electrical, plumber and
carpenter.
Cleaners: Clean classroom,
hallways and school yard.
Contract: 021 261615
Lao Peoples Democratic Republic

Peace Independence Democracy Unity Prosperity
Department of Custom, Ministry of Finance
Customs and Trade Facilitation Project Additional Financing
IDA Grand No. H843 - LA, Project No. P144992
REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST
National Financial Management Assistant, based in CTFP Office, Vientiane Capital
( ref. no.: CS-013-03-CTFP-2016 )
The Lao PDR has received financing of US$ 12.5 million equivalent from the International
Development Association (IDA) to support the Customs and Trade Facilitation Project
(CTFP), which has two main components:
(a) Automation Support focused on progressively shifting responsibility for the support
and maintenance of the ASYCUDA system from heavy reliance on UNCTAD to the
Customs Departments own personnel and on building a strong in-house capacity to
effectively manage current and future ICT systems and related infrastructure; and,
(b) Organizational Development designed to consolidate and further extend the
improvements achieved in customs work practices, procedures and organization that
have progressively been implemented over the past five years.
The project builds on reforms implemented as part of an earlier World Bank financed
project and will assist the Lao Customs Department (LCD) to simplify customs
procedures, eliminate duplication and redundancy; reduce transaction costs and time to
clear goods; and increase transparency and accountability. The Customs Department,
which is responsible for implementation of the project,
The CTFP is seeking a dynamic and experienced full-time national consultant to fill
the position of Financial Management Assistant to assist the LCD by providing support
on financial management operations and administrative matters for the project(s)
implemented by the CTFP. The Financial Management Assistant will be a full-time
position and expected to commence by early June 2016 through the initial 12-months
contract, with possibility of extension based on satisfactory performance and availability
of funds. In order to be considered for the position, the candidates should meet the
following qualifications and experience requirements:
Bachelor in accounting, finance or business administration related areas with Lao
CPA status or equivalent;
Three (3) years of working experience in Accounting, Auditing and Finance areas;
previous experience within a similar organization/donor projects is an asset;
Familiar and experienced with the project auditing process,
Familiar with National Treasury, Ministry of Finance payment and/or World Bank
procedures will be highly beneficial,
High degree of computer literacy, and intermediate to advanced knowledge of
Microsoft Office Package (Excel, Word, PowerPoint), and have some experiences in
using accounting software such as Accpac or Quick Books would be an advantage.
Language skills: Candidate should be fluent in Laotian and English and have strong
written and spoken skills in both languages;
Reliable, independent and dynamic worker with high social competence and good
team spirit
Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to function effectively and collaboratively
in a group and in multicultural team environment.
The attention of interested Consultants is drawn to paragraph 1.9 of the World Banks
Guidelines: Selection and Employment of Consultants under IBRD Loans and IDA
Credits & Grants by World Bank Borrowers, January 2011 (Consultant Guidelines),
setting forth the World Banks policy on conflict of interest. The Consultant will be
selected based on Individual Consultants selection method set out in the Consultant
Guidelines.
The Customs and Trade Facilitation Project (CTFP) of the Customs Department, Ministry
of Finance, now invites interested applicants to provide information indicating that you
are qualified to perform the services (curriculum vitae with expressions of interest and
references). Interested Applicants may obtain further information at the address below.
Expressions of interest must be delivered to the address below or no later than May
16, 2016, 16:00 oclock (submissions via email are also acceptable). Only Short-listed
candidates will be contacted.
Athsaphangthong Siphandone (PhD.)
Director General, Customs Department
Ministry of Finance, Vientiane Capital, Lao PDR
Tel. & Fax: +856 (21) 254034
E-mail: athsaphangthong@gmail.com
Copy: vongvanhpheng@gmail.com and thanongsakd@gmail.com
Classified 29
30
Vientiane Times
Tuesday May 3, 2016
Appeal for volunteers

Ban Asa (Volunteer House) is asking for Lao people (no age
limit) to volunteer to help with activities over one weekend.
It will involve painting school walls, donating food and
educational equipment, and assisting with field and survival
trips, camping and adventure activities.
When: Register now or before departure on May 7-8 to Ban
Mai in Keo-oudom district, Vientiane province.
Where: Ban Asa (Volunteer House) in Tanmixay village,
Xaythany district.
Contact 020 5675 1611, 030 5945 656
Whats On
Rocket festival in Pakxe

Pakxe district in Champassak province is holding its annual
rocket festival. Everyone welcome.
When: Middle of May
Where: Nahaed village, Pakxe district
European Food Festival
B14
Bodyslam
World Tour
B14 Bodyslam World Tour
in Vientiane. Dont miss
this ultimate concert of Lao
and Thai bands, including
Bodyslam from Thailand
and Black Eyes, Sack
Cells, DJ Faahsai + Mc
Pam.
Tickets and T-shirts on sale
at M-Point marts. Tickets
100,000 kip. Starting on May 3, T-shirts will be on sale for
69,000 kip.
Where: Parking lot at Lao-ITECC in Vientiane.
When: Saturday, May 14, starting at 6 pm
5th European Food Festival featuring chefs, European food,

and live music.
When: Saturday May 7, 10am-10:30pm
Where: Parking lot at the National Culture Hall
Contact: +856 021 255 575
Almsgiving at Hor Phakeo

Museum
An almsgiving ceremony to mark the second phase of the
restoration of the Hor Phakeo Museum.
When: May 20, in the early morning.
Where: Hor Phakeo Museum, Setthathirath Road, Vientiane.
Love Art Festival

The festival is a lot of fun and involves making kites!
When: April 29-May 3, from 10am-9pm
Where: Vientiane Centre, Khouvieng Road
For more information: 020 5405 7999
Mini Thailand Week

Shoppers are invited to browse and buy
a wide selection of goods on sale at the
Mini Thailand Week.
Where: Sanamdaeng Stadium in Pakxe
district, Champassak province
When: April 29-May 5.
Rocket festival in
Vientiane province
Viengkham district, Vientiane province, will stage its annual
rocket festival (Bang Fai Lan, Bang Fai Saen) to provoke
rainfall and celebrate fertility.
Locals will gather in fields on
the outskirts of villages and
towns to launch the rockets
they have made.
Activities: Street fair and
performances by popular
singers
When: Middle of May
Where: Pakkayoung village,
Viengkham district, Vientiane
province. The village is about 60km from Vientiane.
The Vientiane Times welcomes notices from

members of the public for announcement on
this page. Any events or functions open to
the general public are suitable for publishing.
Contact: lattanyphone@yahoo.com
Chinese Singing Contest

Dont miss the final round of the Chinese Singing Contest!
Where: National Culture Hall.
When: May 10 at 7pm.
Fanglao dance classes

Children and young people who love modern dance are invited
to register for the following weekend sessions: Kids Class, HipHop, BBoy and K Pop.
Where: Fanglao Dance Company at the Asean Mall.
When: Saturdays and Sundays from 9am to 7pm.
For more information call: 020-77527911 or 020-52262111.
Come along for aerobics!

When: Every evening, 5-6pm
Where: Chao Anouvong Park, Mekong River, Vientiane
Free Rescue Services

Three free rescue teams are available on
24 hour standby in Vientiane :
1. Lao Red Cross is providing free
emergency assistance, including
at road accidents, for members of
the public who need help. For more
information call: 020 59966111
Where: Xiengyeun village,
Chanthabouly district, Vientiane.
2. People who need help after a road
accident or in any other situation where
there is danger can contact the Rescue
Hotline Number of the Foundation for
Assisting the Poor People of Laos, Tel:
1623
Where: The Rescue Centre is located
at Nonghay village, Hadxaifong
district, in front of Nonghay temple, on
Kamphaengmeuang Road.
3. People who need help after a road
accident or other urgent assistance,
please call the rescue hotline number
of the Association of Voluntary Rescue
of Vientiane Tel: 1624
Where: The Association of Voluntary
Rescue of Vientiane is located in
Nongsangthor village, Xaysettha district.
Vientiane Times
Tuesday May 3, 2016
Gerina Piller takes

2-stroke lead in home
event in Texas
IRVING, Texas (AP) -- Gerina
Piller took a two-stroke lead
Saturday in the LPGA Tours
Volunteers of America Texas
Shootout, putting her in
position for a breakthrough
victory in her home event.
Winless in 123 career
starts, the 31-year-old Piller
shot a bogey-free 4-under 67
to reach 14-under 199 at Las
Colinas Country Club.
It is a big deal, but to me
its not a big deal, Piller said.
The golf ball doesnt know
that Im in the lead. So I just
try to kind of dumb it down for
myself and control the things I
can do and thats myself, and
being calm and being confident
and committed. ... I still have
the same mentality. Ive got
to go out there and Im going
to play aggressive, play smart
and play committed.
South Korean players held
the next four spots on the
leaderboard. Amy Yang (65)
and Mi Jung Hur (66) were
tied for second at 12 under, and
Jenny Shin (65) and Sei Young
Kim (68) were 10 under.
Piller lives in Plano, about
20 miles from Las Colinas.
The long-hitting US Solheim
Cup hero grew up in Roswell,
New Mexico, and played at the
University Texas-El Paso.
A number of friends from
high school and college joined
her family led by her
husband, PGA Tour player
Martin Piller on the course
following her. Martin Piller

was back in town after missing
the cut in the Zurich Classic in
Louisiana.
It would be awesome,
it would be ideal, Piller said
about the possibility of winning
in front of her family and friends.
But the cool thing about it is no
matter how I play tomorrow, I
know that theyre going to be
proud of me and were going to
go back and hang out and theyre
not going to think anything
different of me, so its pretty cool
to have that support.
Piller hit to 4 feet to set up a
birdie on the par-4 second, then
birdied three straight par 5s
two-putting No. 3 and making a
5-footer on No. 7 and a 10-footer
on No. 10. She parred the final
eight holes.
I felt like I gave myself
opportunities, Piller said. Had
some great shots, just couldnt
get some putts to fall. These
greens are pretty tricky and they
have a lot of slope to them so
you definitely have to give
them respect. But I dont feel
like I kind of like barely got
by with eight pars, I felt like I
could have been a lot lower. So,
definitely a lot of confidence
going into tomorrow.
Piller has hit 52 of 54
greens in regulation, with
the two misses coming in the
first round. She tied for third
last week in California in the
Swinging Skirts for her third
straight top-six finish.
Sports 31
With spotlight on top, Newcastle

moves out of EPL drop zone
LONDON (AP) -- Less than 24
hours before the global soccer
spotlight falls on Leicester in
its bid to win the top tier for
the first time, Newcastle came
out best in the scrapping at
the other end of the English
Premier League on Saturday.
The Magpies moved out
of the drop zone for the
first time since February
after midfielder Andros
Townsends superb free kick
gave Newcastle a 1-0 win
over Crystal Palace.
The victory means a
lot, it gives us momentum,
confidence and a connection
with the fans, said Newcastle
manager Rafa Benitez.
Sunderland again had to
rely on its top scorer Jermain
Defoe, with the striker grabbing
a last-minute equaliser from
the penalty spot in a 1-1 draw
against Stoke, which took the
lead through striker Marko
Arnautovic.
Where would we be
without Jermain Defoe? said
Sunderland manager Sam
Allardyce, before answering
his own question. Relegated
probably.
Despite drawing,
Sunderland dropped into the
relegation zone, one point
behind 17th-place Newcastle
and one point ahead of 19thplace Norwich, which lost
1-0 at Arsenal after Danny
Welbecks goal in the 59th.
The last thing you can
do down in the dogfight is
Vacancy
District Team Leader
CARE is an international humanitarian organisation fighting global poverty, with a vision to

which focuses on empowering women and girls to fight poverty and bring lasting change to
their communities. We work in over 80 countries around the world. We work with partners
to achieve lasting results for marginalized communities.
We are looking for a District Team Leader to join our team based in Mai/Samphanh
District, Phongsaly Province.
The District Team Leader is based in Samphanh and/or Mai District Phongsaly Province (work
location), conducting activities in the district level. The District Team Leader is responsible
for management of the Climate Change Adaptation activities in accordance with project
design, and coordinates with relevant government line offices such as District Office of
Natural Resource and Environment (DONRE),
District Agriculture and Forestry Office (DAFO), and District Lao Women Union (DLWU).
Your major responsibilities will be varied and will include:
Provision of technical input for activity design, implementation, and monitoring and
support team in field assessments
Ensure compliance to internationally recognized and acceptable standards.
Participate in the monitoring and reporting of utilized budget lines and achievements.
Ensure budget expenditure at district level is in line with approved budgets and CARE
and donor financial policy and procedure.
Timely preparation of project report, expenditure and work plans.
Join implementation of all monitoring and evaluation activities
Give input on how to improve the project based on lessons learned, best practices,
technical advances
Identify training needs for staff and counterparts
Ensure the effective and efficient implementation of Climate Change Adaptation Project
(CCA) activities according to the activity plan and the budget.
Required qualifications:
University graduate, in a related field preferred.
At least 3 years experience in project and supervising staff.
Demonstrated interpersonal, planning, team building and facilitation skills.
Demonstrated ability in facilitation / conducting participatory training/ Participatory
Planning
Strong presentation skills and good analytical and communication skills
Oral and written English communication skills are preferable.
Competence in Microsoft office including Word, Excel, Outlook, Powerpoint.
Physical Requirements/Work Environment
Application Submission
Qualified candidates should submit a CV and a letter of application that address the
Qualifications and Experience required to lao.jobs@careint.org before the deadline: 15
May, 2016
CARE is an equal opportunity employer committed to a diverse workforce. Women, ethnic
minorities and people with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.
CARE is committed to protecting the rights of children. CARE reserves the right to
conduct screening procedures to ensure a child safe environment.
The detailed Job Description can be provided upon request.
(Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an interview. CVs and other documents
submitted to CARE will not be return)
Newcastle United goalkeeper Karl Darlow saves a penalty from Crystal Palaces Yohan Cabaye, during
the English Premier League soccer match between Newcastle United and Crystal Palace, at St James
Park, in Newcastle, England on Saturday.
--Photo AP
feel sorry for yourselves,

said Norwich manager Alex
Neil. We didnt get what we
deserved.
B ot h S u n derl an d an d
Norwich have three games
left while Newcastle has
two. Aston Villa is already
relegated.
At the top, leader Leicester
can win the title by beating
Manchester United on Sunday.
The victory for Arsenal
puts the Gunners provisionally

in third place, three points
ahead of Manchester City,
which plays at Southampton
on Sunday.
But the win is unlikely to
quell protests against Arsenal
manager Arsene Wenger.
Everyone is very
disappointed. It was a great
opportunity for us to go for
the title this season and it is
difficult to handle the way it
is ending, Welbeck said. We

know as a club that we should
be doing better than this.
West Ham still has an
outside chance of a top-four
finish after an easy 3-0 win
a g a i n s t We s t B r o m w i c h
Albion. Mark Noble scored
twice for the Hammers, who
are now provisionally fifth on
59 points, the same as sixthplace Man United ahead of
Sundays game.
ANZ Bank (Lao) Ltd.

Looking for a job opportunity with an international bank?
ANZ is growing in Lao PDR. Join us on our journey!
As a fast growing organization, ANZ Bank (Lao) Limited is looking for customer-orientated
and motivated individuals who would like a career with one of the worlds leading financial
services businesses.
Working for ANZ, you will receive the following:
Competitive salary and other benefits including health cover, staff study support, staff
banking and so on
On the job training will be provided at our Head Office in Vientiane and regional training
opportunities may be available if required
Salary increases based on performance, including annual bonuses
Fluency in English and Lao is essential for the following role
Even if you have never worked for a bank before, if you have the right attitude and desire
to be successful you should consider applying.
Senior Risk Analyst
This role is responsible for providing support to Relationship Manager (RM) by implementing,
retaining and growing the Business customer base, sustaining and increasing profitability,
and efficiently and effectively assessing and managing credit risk and costs.
Main Duties
Assist line manager in preparing Annual Review Credit Memorandum, or increase facility
limit for existing customers
Join customer visit with Relationship Manager when it is due for annual review, or new
complex deal
Assist RM to complete report related to customer performance management
Prepare financial models/ sensitivities to facilitate assessment of proposals
Liaise with customers to obtain/ interpret financial data and information and discuss issues,
if required support by RM
Proactively liaise with Relationship and other product specialist personnel to define/ establish
credit requirements and structure proposals
Manage credit exposures through monitoring and ongoing assessment, including covenant
and other compliance checks
Ensure appropriate records, files and documentation are established and maintained in
accordance with Group standards/ policy in support of credit facilities
Provide necessary information and discuss all risks inherent in credit exposures with line
manager, ensuring quality judgements are made
Liaise with Audit team
Requirements:
Excellent analytical and problem solving skills
Sound financial analysis and interpretation skills
Excellent interpersonal and verbal communication skills in English and Lao
Good organizational and time management skills
Good management & leadership skill
Attention to details and accuracy
If you have proven ability in all of the criteria for this role, please email your resume, clearly
outlining your work experience to careers.laos@anz.com, or contact us at ANZ Building,
33 Lane Xang Ave, Vientiane, Lao PDR. Tel: 021-222 700 ext: 191 or 199; Fax: 021-213 513
Applications close Wednesday, 4th May 2016
Only short listed candidates will be contacted for interview
All submitted applications are kept confidentially and will not return
ANZ Valuing everyone between A aNd Z
32
Vientiane Times
Tuesday May 3, 2016
Sports
Jack retains WBC title with

majority draw against Bute
Badou Jack
(right) throws a
right at Lucian
Bute during
a boxing
match early
on Sunday.
--Photo AP
WA S H I N G TO N ( A P ) - Badou Jack retained his WBC

super-middleweight title with
a 12-round majority draw with
Lucian Bute on Saturday
night.
Judge Stephen Rados
scored the fight 117-111 for
Jack, and Omar Minton and
Glen Crocker both had it
114-114.
Jack (20-1-2) had won
four fights in a row heading
into his second title defense.
Jack said he still plans
to move on to a unification
bout with James DeGale,
who defended his IBF
super-middleweight title by
unanimous decision against
Rogelio Medina earlier at the
DC Armory.
The Romanian-born
Bute (32-3-1), a former
168-pound champion, had
lost to the British DeGale
in his previous bout and
appeared to think he had
suffered another loss.
Bute opened the 12th
round swinging, and did so
again following a timeout
with 55 seconds left to fix
tape on Jacks right glove.
As the final bell sounded,
Jack raised his hands in
anticipation of victory while
Bute only turned and headed
to his corner.
After cautious opening
exchanges, Jack came to life
in the fifth, landing several
blows clean, including a long,

looping left hook with under
50 seconds left in the round.
A similar connection to
start the 11th commenced on
of the fights liveliest rounds,
one that ended with a section
of Romanian fans chanting
Bu-te! Bu-te!
DeGale (23-1) survived a
tough challenge from Medina
(36-7), who outpunched
the defending champ by an
almost 2-to-1 margin despite
connecting on fewer overall.
DeGales most memorable
sequence may have come
in the sixth round, when he
connected clean on all three
punches of a left-right-left
hook combination.

March 2016 VT Issue 99

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Vientiane Times

tuesDAY may 3, 2016

The First National English Language Newspaper

IFAD supports food

The International Fund for

IFAD Director of the Asia and

in implementing the NSEDP

New govt to tackle corruption,

The government intends to

Prime Minister Thongloun

up efforts to alleviate poverty and

and sustainable way on the

Second phase of Nam Ou

The Nam Ou River Basin

Nam Ou cascade is located in

540 MW, with an annual energy

Tuesday May 3, 2016

Media urged to help prevent

Dr Path Keungsaneth (left) and Ms Frederika Meijer lead the

The media has been asked to

2011-12 Lao Social Indicator

The best partner to do this is the

Forum advises families on

Mr Sisavath Khomphonh addresses the Family

The Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare

Mr Sisaveth, who is also Chairman of

The Donnoun-Thangone road in Xaythany district, Vientiane.

The upgrade of a 12km stretch

with concrete, pavements built,

daily basis, especially by trucks,

Second phase of Nam Ou hydro... from page 1

Lao Press in Foreign Languages

Established 1994, Volume 22

Tel: (856-21) 336042, fax: (856-21) 336041

Tel: 55624351, 021 336042

Tuesday May 3, 2016

KOICA to support water management

The Korea International

Water Resources Management

experts paid a courtesy call on the

Launch of e-Co system

Heatwave leaves people hot and bothered

The sweltering heat across Laos

and convulsions. Heatstroke

New govt to tackle corruption... from page 1

Tuesday May 3, 2016

Lecturers complete postgraduate

Eleven lecturers from the

many international institutions.

This training programme

University and to provide

Many farmers in Phongsaly province have started

Saravan reports on revenue collection

Vientiane court sentences drug dealer

The Vientiane court sentenced a drug dealer to five years

Tuesday May 3, 2016

Tuesday May 3, 2016

INDONESIA (The Jakarta

Bangkok ferris wheel

97 telecom fraud suspects

The Chinese government

In one case cited by the

Tuesday May 3, 2016

Myanmar president calls on workers