 tuesday may 15,

Vientiane Times
2012 ISSUE 110
The First National English Language Newspaper
www.vientianetimes.la 4500 kip

Inside
Oudomxay medics get Laos, Philippines explore trade,
investment opportunities
ministry support for
health targets
page 2

Times Reporters newspaper.

Laos and the Philippines
have explored new trade and
investment opportunities, with
both governments promising a
more business friendly-policy
environment for the business
sector, a Philippines-based
newspaper reported.
Prime Minister Thongsing
Thammavong, who led
Laos’ 24-member official
delegation to Manila, assured
Filipino businessmen of
equal opportunities with Lao
businessmen as he encouraged
members of the Philippine
Chamber of Commerce and
Industry (PCCI) to explore
business opportunities in
Laos, the Business Mirror,
one of the Philippines’ leading
business newspapers reported
Popstar Tot falling on Saturday.
back in love The premier spoke to
page 14 business leaders from both
sides at a meeting initiated by
the Philippine-Lao Business
Council on Friday.
Laos’ “open door”
policy makes the country a
promising investment hub in
Asia because of its strategic
location and vast natural
resources, the newspaper
quoted Mr Thongsing as
Prime Minister Thongsing Thammavong (standing left) and President Benigno Aquino III witness the
signing of the agreements.
saying through an interpreter.
Laos’ laws also provide
adequate protection for both
local and foreign investors, the
premier assured the audience.
Laos is finalising
negotiations for membership in
the World Trade Organisation,
seeing it as an opportunity to
boost economic development.
Mr Thongsing informed
the business leaders that Laos
has put policy incentives in
place to smooth and boost
business, and amendments
to laws are making doing
business easier and friendlier.
Philippine Ambassador
to Laos Ms Maria Lumen B.
Isleta said Philippine exports
to Laos have doubled from
US$300,000 in 2019 to
US$600,000 in 2011. The
balance of trade is slightly in
favour of the Philippines, with
exports slightly exceeding
imports, according to the
About 600 highly skilled
Filipino workers are employed
in various companies in Laos.
With the renewed interest
of government and business
leaders from the two countries,
the ambassador expects an
increase in the number of
Filipinos being employed in
Laos.
“The opportunity for
increasing collaboration
between the Philippines and
Laos is bright. We hope to see
business operators from both
countries investing and doing
business in both countries in
the future,” the ambassador
was quoted as saying by the
newspaper.
Giving an overview of
the investment climate and
opportunities in resource-rich
Laos, Minister of Planning
and Investment Somdy
Douangdy said the mining,
power generation, agriculture,
handicraft and service sectors
are among its top investment
opportunities.
Laos has enjoyed steady
economic growth averaging
7 percent over the last 10
years from 2001 to 2010. The
country is aiming for GDP
Continued page 3

Lao bank, Thai

shopping centre ink
credit card deal
page B2
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Boten economic zone changes development focus
Somsack Pongkhao
New development activities
are underway at the Boten
Specific Economic Zone on
the Lao-Chinese border in
Luang Namtha province after
the government amended a
concession agreement with
partnering Chinese companies
last month.
Under the new agreement,
the Chinese developers have
changed their focus of activity
from a casino to a commercial
centre and tourism operation,
increasing investment capital
from US$130 million to
US$500 million.
Director of Luang Namtha
provincial Department of
Information, Culture and
Tourism, Mr Sivilay Pankeo,
told Vientiane Times yesterday
that the new developments
include the construction of
a supermarket, demarcation
of the zone and improving
management.
“Since the casino closed,
the number of tourists has
slumped from between 2,000
and 3,000 per day to about
100 people at present,” Mr
Sivilay said.
When the casino was open,
about 6,000 people worked in
the zone but now the figure
has plummeted to less than
1,000 people.
“I think it could take
several years for the zone to
attract tourists again once
the new development is
complete,” he said.
When the casino closed
down last year, Hong Kong
Fuk Hing Travel Entertainment
Group Ltd sold an 85 percent
share of its equity to Yunnan
Hai Cheng Industrial Group
Stock Co., Ltd, keeping only
a 15 percent stake in the
project.
With a concession
period of 99 years, the new
developer plans to transform
the zone into a regional
commerce and tourism centre,
building a 4-star hotel, golf
course, amusement park, and
supermarket.
They also plan to run
tours to waterfalls and local
villages, and other destinations
in nearby protected areas.
Boten was established
as a special economic zone
in 2002-03 under a Prime
Ministerial decree relating to
border trade zones.
The project has now been
redesignated as a Specific
Economic Zone on a total area
of 1,640 hectares.
The development saw
the remote region of Boten
transformed into an urban area
with new roads, electricity
and water, hotels and other
facilities built to attract
investment in the zone.
But the government
Continued page 3
National Assembly calls for
more specific investment plan
Somxay Sengdara
The National Assembly (NA)
has asked the government
to provide a more concise
investment plan for the 2012-
13 fiscal year, aiming to prevent
additional development
projects being proposed after
the start of the year.
The issue came under
debate at the NA’s intersession
last week in the run up to its
third ordinary session next
month. Dr Souvanpheng
NA Economic and Finance Bouphanouvong speaks
Committee Chairperson Dr at the National Assembly’s
Souvanpheng Bouphanouvong intersession last week.
raised the matter after hearing
about the National Socio- year. The National Assembly
Economic Development Plan will not acknowledge or
drafted for next fiscal year. approve any unlisted projects
“I would like the additional to those already
government to clarify the adopted this fiscal year,” Dr
records of all projects to Souvanpheng said.
be implemented next fiscal Continued page 2

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2 Home news Tuesday May 15, 2012 Vientiane Times
Home news
Luang Prabang hemorrhagic fever
outbreak under control
Khamphone Syvongxay staff to vaccinate affected agriculture and forestry
livestock shortly, with staff office.
Luang Prabang provincial just returning from the field, The outbreak was
authorities are working to stem Ms Somchit said. confined largely to two
an outbreak of hemorrhagic The veterinary team will villages, Houy Wai and
fever in Phonxay district, with put measures in place to stop Pongling. People in these
the disease having killed about the disease from spreading, areas were banned from
100 buffaloes, cattle and pigs warn farmers in nearby trading livestock or selling
so far. villages and advise people meat in markets in an effort
The outbreak has spread about the best way to treat to contain the outbreak.
to six villages, but the districtinfected animals. Local authorities believe
agriculture and forestry office The office will encourage that changes in the weather
has reported that it is now farmers to vaccinate their makes animals more
contained. livestock and be on the alert vulnerable to the disease,
“About 117 buffaloes, 45 for signs of disease and direct while some livestock owners
cattle and 25 pigs are infected the relevant authorities to do not take sufficient care of
and we are now seeking manage vehicle movements in their animals.
vaccines to treat them, village border areas. According to a veterinarian,
district livestock unit head There was another hemorrhagic fever spreads
Ms Somchit Vongpadith told outbreak in Pakxong district, easily among livestock
Dr Eksavang Vongvichit (fourth left) evaluates the work of medical staff in Oudomxay province. Vientiane Times yesterday. Champassak province populations and people may
Many farming families recently, resulting in the fall ill with diarrhoea or other

Oudomxay medics get ministry have lost livestock in the

outbreak, which will set them
back for a long time because
deaths of a significant number
of livestock, with buffaloes hit
particularly hard.
complaints if they eat affected
animals.
Dead livestock should be
support for health targets buffalo in particular take a
long time to breed, she said.
The agriculture and
More than 300 cattle and
290 buffaloes were treated
after falling ill, according
buried in pits at least 1-1.50m
deep with lime added to speed
the decomposition of their
Xayxana Leukai at Oudomxay provincial government to achieve the forestry office will send to a report from the district carcasses, he said.
hospital to monitor medical MDGs on schedule.
The Ministry of Health has services there, especially the Medical staff in Oudomxay
advised medical staff in equipment used for treatment province are confident the visit
News staff get tips on weather forecasting
Oudomxay province to continue and check-ups. His objective is by senior officials from the Times Reporters provided with tools and ideas the event of an emergency.
to strengthen healthcare by to modernise medical services Ministry of Health will enable to effectively communicate While the science of
prioritising disease prevention in the years to come. them to provide better services Journalists and media climate information. climate forecasting has
and health education, along The minister also observed in the future. During their visit, representatives from major “The media plays a crucial improved in recent decades,
with providing top quality learning and teaching methods ministry officials collected news channels, government role in predicting changes in limited access and little
treatment. at the provincial Health information to compile into a communications officials and the weather and giving climate
understanding of forecasts has
Minister of Health Prof. Dr Sciences School, with a plan to achieve the MDGs by the local press gathered in related warnings. tempered its effectiveness.
Eksavang Vongvichit visited view to improving education 2015 and to eradicate poverty Vientiane yesterday to learn These should inform As part of the 2012 Pre-
the province last week, aiming standards. by 2020. about weather forecasting. in a way that can be fully Season Monsoon Forum
to encourage health workers He then visited Houn The ministry is encouraging Participants identified the understood by a range in Laos, the EC-FAO Food
to improve services towards district hospital, Phonsavath medical staff throughout the challenges in interpreting, of readers, viewers and Security Programme on
achieving the Millennium model health village, and country to fulfil health-related understanding, translating and listeners,” said Department of Linking Information and
Development Goals (MDGs) Sibounheuang dispensary in MDGs by 2015. These include reporting climate information. Meteorology and Hydrology Decision Making to Improved
by 2015. Houn district. MDG 1 on eradicating extreme To better understand climate Acting Director General, Mr Food Security, and Regional
“The visit was important He advised medical staff poverty and hunger, MDG 4 reports, some products and Sithanh Southichack. Integrated Multi-Hazard Early
because health officials to provide information on on reducing child mortality, services were presented with Such information can be Warning System are offering
needed to know what local nutrition for local people to MDG 5 on improving maternal understandable explanations conveyed through newspapers, a special one-day training
medical staff have done and ensure that children were health, MDG 6 on combating of the key terms used. radio, television, and the opportunity for journalists and
what things they need help not at risk of malnutrition. HIV/AIDS, malaria and Discussions on climate and internet. Training will also media representatives.
with to improve healthcare This would not only reduce other diseases, and MDG 7 its effect on the public will help focus on national journalists The training enables
and achieve these goals.” the death rate of children, on ensuring environmental to acknowledge the potential who are able to effectively report participants to enhance
Dr Eksavang visited staff but would also help the sustainability. uses of the information and and inform the public about their capacity to understand
officials’ roles in conveying climate events and forecasts. and report seasonal climate
National Assembly calls ... From page 1 its dangers. This enables people to make
Training participants were better decisions, especially in
forecasts and issues related to
climate risk management.
The National Assembly procedures it undertook when “The allocation refers to
and local administrations adding previously unlisted Article No. 20 of the Law
are gathering information projects and how it proposed on State Investment. It is a
on ongoing development to pay off the debts they compulsory regular budget
projects. Those that are not created. that is amended for continuing
already in progress will not Responding to the NA’s projects like construction and
be given consideration at this concerns, Deputy Minister of maintenance,” Dr Khamlien
point in time. Planning and Investment Dr said.
“The NA will also not Khamlien Pholsena said his He did not say whether
permit the Ministry of Finance ministry and the Ministry of additional projects would
to disburse any money to such Finance had agreed to allocate continue to be disallowed
projects. This is the strict and 2,600 billion kip for next fiscal within the course of a fiscal
final measure to prevent the year. Of that amount, 1,430 year, but did suggest that
introduction of new projects,” billion kip will be allocated funding sources and ways
she added. to projects implemented by of lowering costs would
Provision for unlisted both the central and provincial be evaluated prior to their
additional projects has seen administrations. approval.
government debt balloon Of this 1,430 billion kip, 45 Dr Souvanpheng said
to 6,765 billion kip, while percent will go to ministries, “The addition of unplanned
the government’s annual including the Ministry of projects will not only affect
investment budget is only National Defence, and the socio-economic planning in
2,600 billion kip. remaining 55 percent will be general but could lead to the
The NA also called on the allocated to Vientiane and the collapse of the economy at the
government to explain the provinces. macro level.” Participants pose for a group photo at the training course.

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Vientiane Times
Rural communities get switched on
Times Reporters
The residents of Nongsan
village development group in
Vientiane province gathered on
May 10 to celebrate the arrival
of electricity in their community,
funded by the government with
4.5 billion kip.
The scheme is part of
the government’s Rural
Electrification Project, which
is entirely funded by the
government.
The development group
comprises Nongsan and
Thamtheup villages in Kasy
district. Nongsan village is
home to 578 people in 82
families and Thamtheup
village has 440 people in 69
families. The two villages are
located in mountainous terrain
and cover a combined 300
hectares.
The unveiling of the
electricity system took place
in Nongsan village and was
attended by the President
of the Lao-Thai General
Border Sub-committee,
Major upgrade for Vientiane highway
Times Reporters
Work to upgrade an 82km
section of National Road No. 11
in Vientiane is now 13 percent
complete, linking Kaoliew
village in Sikhottabong district
to Sangthong district.
“Construction was behind
schedule by about 5 percent
because we didn’t have the
full set of plans to start with.
We were actually drawing up
the plans as we went along,
but now the work is running
smoothly,” project manager
Mr Prasongsinh Chaleunsouk
said yesterday.
“Work on the road will
continue throughout the
rainy season and will include
building 17 bridges and
drainage,” he added.
The existing gravel road
will be asphalted and will
have two lanes, lighting
3 day weather forecast
Xieng Khuang
Temperature (C)
Date
Min Max
15/05/2012 21 31
16/05/2012 20 30
Brigadier General
Bouasieng Champaphanh
addresses local residents.
Brigadier General Bouasieng
Champaphanh, provincial
Governor Mr Khammeung
Phongthady, local authorities
and other invited guests
Speaking at the ceremony,
Brig Gen Bouasieng
encouraged local residents
to be careful when using
electricity. He expressed the
hope they would protect and
maintain the system as much
as possible.
and improved drainage in
residential areas. It will be
widened to 10 metres.
The asphalt surface
between Kaoliew and
Sangthong district will be able
to support trucks weighing up
to 21 tonnes and comes with
a one-year maintenance free
guarantee.
The survey and design
were completed in January
and the first asphalt should be
laid by the end of this year. If
everything runs to plan, the
road should be completed by
January 2014.
The project is being funded
by a loan of more than 180
billion kip from Thailand’s
Neighbouring Countries
Economic Development
Cooperation Agency.
National Road No. 11 is
an important transport artery.
The road has a total length of
Weather
Light rain
Light rain
Authorities said the
installation of electricity began
in June 2010 and finished in
February 2012. The work was
divided into four phases.
First, 14,560 metres of
medium voltage transmission
lines along with 22 kilo-volt
amp (KVA) transformers were
installed, costing more than
2.9 billion kip.
Second 5,805 metres of
low voltage transmission
lines along with 0.4 KVA
transformers were installed,
costing 757 million kip.
Next, two 160 KVA
transformers worth 286
million kip were set up and 299
households were connected up
to the system, at a cost of 623
million kip.
Local performers staged a
show to celebrate the occasion,
local authorities reported.
Locals now have not only
electricity, but also healthcare
centres, schools and road
access. These facilities
were also provided by the
government.
about 200km from the Sikhai
junction in Sikhottabong
district through Sangthong
district to Meun district in
Vientiane province.
Sangthong is an outlying
district of the capital and has
poor infrastructure.
The district especially
suffers from poor road access,
making it difficult for local
residents to get around and
slowing development in the
area.
The existing road is rough
and dusty in the dry season,
and becomes potholed and
muddy in the rainy season.
At present the journey
from Kaoliew to Sangthong
district takes about two hours,
but that is expected to drop to
about 50 minutes to an hour.
Once the road is finished it
will cut travel time and fuel
costs.
Boten
economic...
From page 1
Mr Noy Inthavong weeds his farm in hopes of earning a good income from his sweetcorn crop
next month.
Sweetcorn farmers hope to
recoup wet season losses
Khamphone Syvongxay
Sweetcorn farmers in
Boungphao village,
Thoulakhom district, Vientiane
province, are hopeful they
can make good on the losses
they suffered in wet season
flooding last year, and are
eyeing a bountiful harvest.
Many families in the village
started planting the crop in
March, while some began
planting last month. However,
they all expect a good harvest
in June, farmers told Vientiane
Times on Friday.
One farmer, Mr Noy
Inthavong, told reporters his
family lost almost 20 million
kip worth of sweetcorn in
floods last year, but he was
hopeful they would be able to
recoup their losses with this
year’s harvest.
But the money he earns
from sales of the crop will have
to be paid to the Agriculture
Promotion Bank to repay the
10 million kip loan he took out
last year.
He expects to benefit from
the current high market price
of sweetcorn, which is now
Laos, Philippines explore...
Tuesday May 15, 2012
selling for about 100,000 kip
per 55 kg sack due to high
demand.
Mr Noy said his family
planted about four hectares
of sweetcorn along the
banks of the Nam Ngum
River, hoping to earn enough
money to improve their living
standards.
Most of the traders who
come to buy sweetcorn
from farmers in the village
come from the main town in
Thoulakhom district and from
Vientiane. They sell the crop
to processing factories and
Vientiane markets.
Mr Noy said the price of
sweetcorn can fall as low as
50,000-8,000 kip per sack,
but can climb as high as about
150,000 kip.
“Normally, we harvest
sweetcorn three times a year
but this year we will only
get two harvests because the
Nam Ngum River was slow to
recede after it rose so high last
wet season,” he explained.
His family has been
farming for more than 10
years, but he feels they are at
a disadvantage because they
Home news 3
don’t know the best ways to
prevent disease outbreaks or
to improve crop quality and
yields.
They are still using
traditional farming methods
to grow sweetcorn, but this
results in variable yields.
Some years they have a good
crop but in other years the
yields are low.
Boungphao village has
long been a sweetcorn farming
area, supplying markets in
Vientiane. But widespread
flooding last year affected
hundreds of sweetcorn farmers
and thousands of hectares
of the crop in Thoulakhom
district were damaged.
Now farmers are pinning
their hopes on two good
seasons, from November and
February and from March to
June, and are confident they
will get a good return on the
crop.
To ensure that farmers in
the district can continue to
grow sweetcorn, the bank has
postponed loan repayments
until the next harvest is in, and
the government has provided
some seeds.

17/05/2012 19 30 Light rain encountered some From page 1

Luang Namtha security issues under the
Date
Temperature (C)
Weather 2003 concession agreement growth of 8 percent in 2012 cooperation between the President Benigno Aquino
Min Max
and decided to amend the and hopes to get a boost from Philippines and Laos and III received Prime Minister
15/05/2012 20 35 Light rain
concession agreement with private sector investment. make their countries ideal for Thongsing who led the Lao
16/05/2012 20 34 Light rain the developer to exclude the The Investment Promotion foreign investment. delegation’s official visit to
17/05/2012 19 33 Light rain casino. Law helps to provide better PCCI President Miguel the country, which ended on
Luang Prabang The amendment of the services to investors as it Varela said the Chamber, Saturday, the Philippines-
Date
Temperature (C)
Weather
agreement will also allow advocates legal security and along with the Philippine-Lao based news agency Inquirer
Min Max
the Lao authorities to oversee fair treatment, equality and Business Council, would send reported.
15/05/2012 24 38 Light rain
the management of security free competition between a business delegation to Laos. They also witnessed the
16/05/2012 24 37 Partly cloudy issues, while the zone local and foreign investors, He said the Friday meeting signing of four agreements
17/05/2012 23 36 Light rain
management board will focus Mr Somdy added. was just the start of more such between the two countries,
Vientiane
on financial affairs. Investment in less- meetings between the two namely a cooperation agreement
Temperature (C) Minister of Information, developed areas has offered countries. between the PCCI and the
Date
Min Max
Weather
Culture and Tourism Prof. investors several tax “We will be organising LNCCI and a Memorandum
15/05/2012 27 36 Light rain Dr Bosengkham Vongdara incentives. The income tax rate private-to-private meetings of Understanding (MOU)
16/05/2012 27 35 Partly cloudy visited the Boten Specific for special economic zones is soon,” Mr Varela was quoted between the University of the
Economic Zone on Saturday also set at a flat 5 percent, the as saying by the newspaper. Philippines-Los Baños and the
17/05/2012 26 35 Light rain
to view the progress of the minister said, according to the Before the business National University of Laos.
Savannakhet
Temperature (C)
project, particularly the newspaper. meeting, the Lao premier The two others are a MOU
Date
Min Max
Weather
activities relating to culture Foreign investors, he added, visited the International Rice between the Foreign Service
15/05/2012 26 33 Light rain and tourism. can also invest in real estate Research Institute in Los Institute of the Department
16/05/2012 25 33 Scattered showers
Laos currently has fewer and property development, as Baños, Laguna, to witness the of Foreign Affairs and the
than 10 Special and Specific they can enjoy more efficient signing of a memorandum of Institute of Foreign Affairs
17/05/2012 24 32 Thunder showers
Economic Zones, including or smoother investment understanding formalising of the Ministry of Foreign
Champassak
Temperature (C)
Savan-Seno, Golden Triangle application services. research collaboration between Affairs of Laos and a MOU
Date
Min Max
Weather
and Phoukhyo. Lao National Chamber Laos and the institute. between the Philippine
15/05/2012 25 34 Light rain More than 40 such of Commerce and Industry Officials from both sides Sports Commission and Laos’
16/05/2012 24 34 Scattered showers
zones are planned by the (LNCCI) President Kissana also discussed and explored Ministry of Education and
government, with 25 expected Vongsay vowed to work with areas of cooperation. Sports, according to Business
17/05/2012 23 33 Thunder showers
to be built by 2020. his counterpart to improve On Thursday, Filipino Insight.
 
4 Home news Tuesday May 15, 2012 Vientiane Times

Ministry thanks local businesses News in Brief

for sponsoring student contest
Phaisythong Chandara
The Ministry of Education
and Sports has presented
certificates of recognition
to local businesses and
organisations that sponsored
the recent annual National
Secondary Gifted Students
Contest.
The nationwide contest was
held in Vientiane from April
23-27 for students in grades
four and seven, with the most
gifted students from around the
country taking part.
The certificates were
presented by Deputy Minister
of Education and Sports Lytou
Bouapao to the companies
who sponsored the event.
Among those who
received certificates were
PPC Construction Company,
EDL-Gen, Savang Printing
House, and Lao Holding State
Enterprise.
Funding from sponsors
was of great assistance both
in terms of organising the
nationwide test, as well as
securing scholarships for
the top students, according
to the ministry’s Secondary
Education Department.
The final exams ran for
90-120 minutes, with the
most gifted students who
had outperformed their
counterparts in district and
provincial exams taking part.
This year, 72 of the most
talented Grade 4 students
sat the exam, which tested
their proficiency in maths,
literature, physics and
Mr Lytou Bouapao presents a certificate to a sponsor.
chemistry. Students from
Vientiane excelled in the test,
finishing first in most of the
subjects, while students from
the provinces also performed
well, securing some of the
minor placings.
A total of 84 students sat
the Grade 7 exam, including
16 students from gifted schools
around the country. The test
consisted of the same four
subjects, with students from the
provinces outperforming their
counterparts from the capital.
The objective of the exams
was to gauge learning standards
and prepare the most gifted
students for upcoming regional
and international exams.
The nationwide exam also
offered all the students who
took part the opportunity to
broaden their knowledge in
various fields of study.
The National Secondary
Gifted Students Contest is a
government funded initiative
to promote development in the
education sector, and help to
make learning more effective
and enjoyable.
Participation in the exams
gives students the chance to
showcase their talents and
enables them to meet and talk
with fellow students from
around the country.
Mr Lytou thanked all
sponsors who contributed to the
contest and hoped they would
continue to support the event
in the future. He encouraged all
the students who did not win to
study even harder and use the
experience to better themselves.
He also called on school
administrators to improve their
teaching methods.
To achieve the ministry’s
goals, education departments
around the country must raise
their learning and teaching
standards, he said, and
encouraged them to hold special
classes for gifted students.
Luang Namtha aims to boost quality of life for rural residents
Viengphoukha district authorities in Luang Namtha province are gearing up to improve
people’s living conditions, especially in the two villages of Namlo and Phouyae.
The two villages are home to 436 people in 77 households. Most of them are Akha
and make their living from slash and burn farming. Some grow opium poppies and are
addicted to the drug.
To improve their lot, the authorities will cooperate with the provincial Labour and Social
Welfare Department and other sectors, notably the provincial Drug and Supervision
Department, to train them in other forms of farming and provide them with land to grow
other crops.
The project aims to help them give up opium poppy farming and improve their living
standards. The authorities also plan to provide them with livestock and seeds.
Villagers recently received five tonnes of sticky rice and 2,190 roofs worth 113 million
kip from the provincial Labour and Social Welfare Department and development
partners.
Khammuan names its eighth literacy district
Between 90 and 95 percent of school-age children in Xaybouathong district of
Khammuan province are enrolled in full-time education and almost everyone aged
between 5 and 45 is literate.
A ceremony to declare Xaybouathong as the province’s eighth district where people can
read and write after having attained a primary level of education took place recently.
The event was attended by Deputy Minister of Education and Sports Mr Lytou Bouapao,
provincial Deputy Governor Mr Oday Soudaphone and other guests.
District Education and Sports Office Head Mr Sommany Phosanathongdam said the
district has addressed illiteracy problems in line with the ministry’s National Education
Reform Strategic Development Plan (2006-2010 and 2011-2015).
Children and young students have been encouraged to attend school with the lure of new
educational equipment provided by the ministry and its development partners, as part
of the strategy to reform the education system and achieve universal access to primary
education by 2015.
The district is home to over 1,000 families. More than 85 percent of people aged 15-40
in the province can now read and write after completing primary level education.
However, many children in rural areas aged 6-10 still do not attend school, especially in
rural areas where there is no road access or electricity.
Savannakhet gears up to battle lawbreakers
Although security in Thapangthong district, Savannakhet province, has made good
progress, theft, fighting, illegal logging, drug dealing and other undesirable activities
remain prevalent.
District Governor Lieutenant Colonel Khamsone Keopaseuth said district authorities
have tried hard to combat wrongdoing at all levels.
He said the authorities plan to encourage the relevant sectors to pool their ideas on the
matter, and have also requested that the number of security guards deployed in targeted
areas be increased.
Regarding drug trading, the authorities advised villages and districts sharing borders
with neighbouring countries to be extra vigilant.

JOB VACANCY
Senior Macro Economic Specialist Vacancy Announcement
Lao Nationality Vientiane Times
The GIZ Human Resource Development for a Market Economy Programme (HRDME
III) is continuing to emphasize Lao policy decision makers to enhance the economic frame
condition grant. HRDME III is currently seeking for one Lao national to fill the position of
Positions available
Senior Macro Economic Specialist
Starting Date: As soon as possible 1. Secretary (2 positions)
Duration of Assignment: until July 2014, with the possibility of extension - Lao nationality, female (aged below 25, single).
Work Location: Vientiane Capital
- Advanced university degree in English (Secretary Diploma required)
Main tasks and responsibilities: - Good communication in spoken English and writing.
Under the responsibility and supervision of the GIZ Program Director and in direct
cooperation with the national line agency at national and province level (LNCCI and MPI), - Computer skills in Microsoft Word and Excel.
the Senior Macro Economic Specialist has to fulfill tasks as below: - Good character and friendly disposition.
• analysis Lao Law concerning the private sector, trade and the economic development
• contributes to preparing and implementing the coordination/communication process with - Able to work overtime if necessary.
relevant authorities, joint programme activities
• monitors the development and implementation of the programme plans and activities in
close consultation with counterparts 2. Finance and accounting (1 position)
• develops and organises quality assurance measures and suggests necessary changes, - Lao nationality, aged below 30.
improvements and initiatives
• ensures cooperation, regular contact and dialogue with relevant Lao authorities
- Advanced university degree in finance and accounting with 1 year
• draws up reports and presentation documents experience.
• Contribute to other tasks as assigned by the GIZ supervisor - Experience in statistics and planning will be advantage.
Experience and Qualifications: - Computer skills in Microsoft Word, Excel and Accounting
• Masters/MSc or doctorate in economics/Business or related fields programmes.
• Fluent English language skills (written and spoken)
• Proficient computer skills (MS Office, data management, email) - Able to work overtime if necessary.
• Good communication skills
• Ability and willingness to work in a team of national / international experts All interested candidates are invited to submit an application letter
• Ability to work in hard demanding conditions with frequent travel to provinces/remote areas
• Personal flexibility and high motivation and CV to Vientiane Times office during official working hours until
• At least 5 years of experience in the related position May 25, 2012.
• Gender Knowledge is an advantage
Female candidates are encouraged to apply.
Interested candidates should send application - CV and a covering letter explaining how * Vientiane Times corner of Pangkham and Setthathirath Roads,
your experience meets the requirements latest by Monday, 21 May 2012, at 17:00 pm to Vientiane, Lao PDR.
HR Division of GIZ Office Vientiane, P.O.Box 9233, Vientiane Capital, or by e-mail to
pamouane.phetthany@giz.de
All applications will be treated confidentially and only short-listed candidates will be notified.
Tel: 021 216364
Vientiane Times Tuesday May 15, 2012 Photo news 5

The road
to Mahosot
Hospital in
Vientiane was
closed last
Saturday while
workers cut
overhanging tree
limbs.

With the opening of new shops in Vientiane’s new Talat Sao Mall, city residents browsed the
goods on offer last Saturday, taking in the upmarket shopping environment.

The drainage channel outside the Mother and Child Hospital in Vientiane is being replaced to Vendors sell orchids and other plants along Setthathirath Road in Vientiane. They not only add
ensure sanitary conditions in the area and drain waste water from the hospital. colour to a home or garden but help to provide a cool environment.
VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT
(Announcement No. 12/34)
VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT
(Announcement No. 12/33)
OPEN TO: All interested candidates
POSITION: Financial Analyst, FSN-7 OPEN TO: All interested candidates
OPENING DATE: May 14, 2012 POSITION: Surveillance Detection Coordinator, FSN-6
CLOSING DATE: May 29, 2012 OPENING DATE: May 14, 2012
WORK HOURS: Full-time; 40 hours/week CLOSING DATE: May 29, 2012
SALARY: Actual grade and salary will be based on the qualifications of the applicant. WORK HOURS: Full-time; 40 hours/week
SALARY: Actual grade and salary will be based on the qualifications of the applicant.
NOTE: THIS IS A LOCAL POSITION. THE SELECTED CANDIDATE WILL COME UNDER LOCAL LABOR LAW,
AND BE PAID ACCORDING TO THE EMBASSY’S LOCAL COMPENSATION PLAN. ALL ORDINARILY RESIDENT NOTE: THIS IS A LOCAL POSITION. THE SELECTED CANDIDATE WILL COME UNDER LOCAL
APPLICANTS MUST BE RESIDING IN LAOS AND HAVE THE REQUIRED WORK AND/OR RESIDENCY PERMITS LABOR LAW, AND BE PAID ACCORDING TO THE EMBASSY’S LOCAL COMPENSATION PLAN.
TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR CONSIDERATION.
ALL ORDINARILY RESIDENT APPLICANTS MUST BE RESIDING IN LAOS AND HAVE THE
The U.S. Embassy in Vientiane is seeking an individual for the position of Financial Analyst in the Financial Management Office,
REQUIRED WORK AND/OR RESIDENCY PERMITS TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR CONSIDERATION.
Management Section.
The U.S. Embassy in Vientiane is seeking an individual for the position of Surveillance Detection Coordinator in
BASIC FUNCTION OF POSITION the Regional Security Office (RSO).

The incumbent serves as the Financial Analyst for Embassy Vientiane. He/she estimates and maintains obligations/allotment BASIC FUNCTION OF POSITION
accounting for all serviced agencies, including DAO and CDC, using financial operations systems: Momentum, COAST, WebPASS
and E2. He/she reconciles expenditures for non-serviced agencies, such as APHIS and USPACOM. The incumbent determines The incumbent manages the Surveillance Detection (SD) Team. He/she is responsible, in coordination with the
availability of funds, makes obligations, and assures that all budget and program requirements are met. He/she examines accounts RSO, for all administrative and operational aspects of the SD Team. Plans and executes SD operations, Trains SD
receivable invoices for utilities and air tickets to ensure correctness for payment. He/she assists travelers in preparation of travel team with help from outside experts. He/she supervises day-to-day SD operations.
vouchers using E2. Examines petty cash vouchers from non-State agencies for correctness and serves as primary backup to the
Voucher Examiner and as secondary backup to the Class B Cashier. QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED
NOTE: All applicants must address each selection criterion detailed below with specific and comprehensive
QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED information supporting each item.
NOTE: All applicants must address each selection criterion detailed below with specific and comprehensive information
supporting each item. 1. Education: Completion of Secondary school required.
2. Prior Work Experience: One year experience in records management, budget monitoring, and data entry.
1. Education: At least two years of university level courses in finance/accounting related courses required. 3. Language Proficiency: Fluently spoken and written English and Lao (level IV).
2. Prior Work Experience: At least two years of experience required in finance/accounting field. 4. Knowledge: The coordinator must have a working knowledge of local police organizations and their
3. Language Proficiency: Good working knowledge of English in both spoken and written (level III) to understand financial
regulations and provides explanations to American staff. Fluently spoken and written Lao (level IV) to deal with local
operations. The coordinator must have a basic understanding of Embassy personnel policy.
contacts.
5. Skills and abilities: Must be computer literate.
4. Knowledge: Must have a thorough knowledge of statutory and regulatory requirements and restrictions concerning the
management of U.S. government funds. Must be familiar with State Department’s automated Financial Management Systems.
5. Skills and Abilities: Good typing skills. Must be able to use computer software including accounting packages and Microsoft HOW TO APPLY
Office Suite. Must be able to prepare Excel spreadsheets to track accounting data.
Interested applicants for this position must submit the following for the application to be considered:
HOW TO APPLY 1. Universal Application for Employment (Form DS-174). Download the form at: http://laos.usembassy.gov/
job_opportunities.html
Interested applicants for this position must submit the following for the application to be considered: 2. Candidates who claim U.S. Veterans preference must provide a copy of their Form DD-214 with their
1. Universal Application for Employment (Form DS-174). Download the form at: http://laos.usembassy.gov/job_opportunities.html application.
2. Candidates who claim U.S. Veterans preference must provide a copy of their Form DD-214 with their application. 3. Any other documentation (e.g., essays, certificates, awards, copies of degrees earned) that
3. Any other documentation (e.g., essays, certificates, awards, copies of degrees earned) that addresses the qualification requirements of the position as listed above.
addresses the qualification requirements of the position as listed above.
SUBMIT APPLICATION TO
SUBMIT APPLICATION TO Human Resources Office
Human Resources Office American Embassy
American Embassy Rue Bartholonie, That Dam
Rue Bartholonie, That Dam PO Box 114, Vientiane, Laos
PO Box 114, Vientiane, Laos
(Hardcopy or e-mail attachments are accepted)
(Hardcopy or e-mail attachments are accepted)

POINT OF CONTACT POINT OF CONTACT

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

Interested persons should contact Embassy Human Resources Office for more information. Blank application forms may be picked Interested persons should contact Embassy Human Resources Office for more information. Blank application
up from the cabinet inside the Embassy entrance. forms may be picked up from the cabinet inside the Embassy entrance.
Only shortlisted candidates will be notified. Only shortlisted candidates will be notified.
CLOSING DATE FOR THIS POSITION: May 29, 2012 CLOSING DATE FOR THIS POSITION: May 29, 2012
An Equal Opportunity Employer An Equal Opportunity Employer
6 Tuesday May 15, 2012 Vientiane Times

Region
The Hotel Prince seen from a helicopter shortly after fired on Sunday in Fukuyama, Hiroshima
prefecture. --Photo Yomiuri Shimbun
Seven perish in hotel fire in Hiroshima
HIROSHIMA (The Yomiuri
Shimbun) --Seven people died
and three others were injured
Sunday in a fire at Hotel Prince
in Fukuyama, Hiroshima
Prefecture, police said.
According to the pre-
fectural police’s Fukuyama-
Higashi Police Station, 10
people, most of whom were
believed to be guests of the
hotel, were rushed to a local
hospital. Three men and four
women were confirmed dead.
Initially, six people were
reported to have died, but one
man listed as seriously injured
was later confirmed dead.
The fire began at about
7am and was extinguished
about three hours later.
The four-story building
had floor space of about 1,360
square metres and 18 guest
rooms. Police said 13 guests
were staying in eight rooms
on Saturday evening.
The police were confirming
the identities of the guests, and
will examine the building’s
evacuation routes and fire-
extinguishing equipment.
According to the police
and other sources, the only
employee present in the hotel
when the fire broke out was a
75-year-old woman. She was
seriously injured. The building
was completed in 1967. It
became a hotel in 1985.
A 67-year-old woman who
runs a beauty salon near the
hotel said: “I heard a sound like
an explosion and ran outside. I
saw a man above an awning of
my salon who shouted, ‘Fire,’
and jumped down. I looked up
and saw black smoke billowing
up. I was surprised and ran to
notify all the neighbors.”
The hotel was in a residential
area about one kilometre
southwest of JR Fukuyama
Station.
Yeosu Expo highlights marine
conservation efforts
YEOSU, South Korea (Xinhua)
-- At the Yeosu Expo in South
Korea’s southern coastal city,
long queues of people waiting
to enter pavilions set up by
participating countries are a
common sight.
A total of 104 countries and
10 international organisations
are staging exhibitions at the
93-day international event
under the theme “The Living
Ocean and Coast.”
Participants showcase their
own technology, culture and
products related to the theme
with respective pavilions that
sit on a 250,000-square-metre
site.
The South Korea
pavilion displays a future
vision of the country as a
maritime power, stressing its
advanced marine knowledge
and technology.
A video highlighting the
beautiful scenery of the South
Korean seas and the maritime
history of the country unfolds
on a gigantic screen and
dazzles visitors from around
the world.
The pavilion also boasts
a 30-metre dome screen that
has been recognised as the
world’s largest and that vividly
projects moving images of the
ocean environment.
The images brought to
the screen tell the visitors
about South Korea’s
maritime capabilities and
efforts being made to tackle
various environmental issues,
In brief from Asia
News Network
Vietnam to launch
such as water shortage, by
utilizing energy and resources second satellite
generated from the sea. “I’ve HANOI (Viet Nam News)
been to a few pavilions, and -- Vietnam will send its
the South Korea pavilion is second satellite into orbit on
my favorite so far.I felt like May 16, said Bui Quoc Viet,
I was in the deep sea when I director of the Vietnam Post
was watching the video on the and Telecommunications
dome screen,” said Jung Chan- Group (VNPT) information
mook, an 18-year-old student. centre. According to its
“I believe the Yeosu Expo is investor, VNPT, after the first
a good opportunity for South one, VINASAT-1, launched
Korea to let the world know in 2008, VINASAT-2 is
about the country’s advanced to promote Vietnam’s
visual media technology.” telecommunications market
The China exhibition to meet the requirements
emphasises harmony between of clients, maintain orbital
humankind and oceans with positions and build upon
the theme “One Ocean, One existing VINASAT-1
Home.” infrastructure, which is
It focuses on showcasing running out of its capacity
China’s constant efforts
in pursuing sustainable US, Indonesia
development of oceans and
thereby promoting peaceful
coexistence between humans
to combat
tuberculosis
and marine environment. INDONESIA (The Jakarta
The pavilion also invites Post) -- The US and
visitors to learn about China’s Indonesian will continue to
development and preservation strengthen their partnership
of ocean and coastal resources, in combating tuberculosis
ocean science and technology (TB), especially multidrug-
and maritime culture. resistant TB, a visiting
The highlight of the China senior US official says.
pavilion is the animated film Assistant Secretary of State
that tells the close friendship for Oceans and International
shared by a Chinese girl and Environmental and Scientific
Affairs, Kerri-Ann Jones,
Chinese white dolphins. It
said Monday that both the
not only stresses the mutual US and Indonesia had
dependency between people recognised the importance
and nature, but also conveys of combating TB,
China’s commitment to particularly multidrug-
protecting marine ecosystems resistant TB bacteria.
and resources.

Norwegian Church Aid (NCA) is an International NGO working to support development
projects in Laos since 1989. The organisation works in thirty countries in Africa, Asia
and Latin America. Its Head Office is in Norway. The office in Vientiane serves as a
regional hub for programs in Thailand and Myanmar besides Laos.
JOB ANNOUNCEMENT
Position : Documentation and Quality Assurance Officer
Duty Station : Vientiane
Starting Date : As soon as possible
The Area Office in Vientiane receives documentation (proposals, applications,
reports and work plans and budgets) from a number of partners and NCA staff.
English is the working language in the organisation, but most of the documentation
does not hold the standard required by international organisations and donors.
The Documentation and Quality Assurance Officer will be working closely with
management and program officers to lift the standard of our documentation and
build capacity in staff to handle language and methodology challenges. The position
will be key in further development of the organisation’s internal and external
communication. Non-Lao citizens may apply.
Key responsibilities:
• Coordinate planning and reporting processes for the Country Programs.
Guide staff in methodological issues and language through the processes.
Edit and knit together the final products for approval.
• Relate to Thematic Advisers and other support staff at head office by e-mail
and Skype for securing consistency with NCA Global Programs.
• Coordinate work with developing baselines and global output indicators
across the three countries in the area.
• Document best practices for use in reporting, learning and external
communication.
• Assist staff in program development and producing concept papers
Qualifications/Selection criteria:
• University degree or diploma in social science, development studies,
communication or English language.
• Proven experience in team work and support and supervision of staff
• Excellent communication skills.
• Experience in project cycle management and development work
• English language on native speaker’s level both oral and written
For further information please contact:
Area Representative Rolf Strand on cell phone 020 555 177 67
Country Program Manager Henrik Schmith on cell phone 020 555 083 44
All interested candidates are invited to submit an application letter and CV to NCA
Office: 338 Donpamai Road, Thaphalanxay Village, Sisattanak District, PO Box:
4804, Vientiane, Lao PDR, Tel: (856-21) 315812, 354017,
or e-mail Address: nlov@nca.no
The closing date for applications is 21 May 2012 at 17.00 hours.
Interviews are expected to take place 24 and 25 May 2012
Lao People’s Democratic Republic
Peace Independence Democracy Unity Prosperity
Ministry of Health PR Office supported by Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria
Invitation of Bid
International Competitive Bidding
(ICB)
Procurement of Trucks for Medical Product Supply Chain Centre (MPSC)
Under GFATM Program
Procurement N° LAO-H-GF-MOH-Y2/Truck/MPSC/2012
Date: May 14, 2012
To: Eligible Suppliers,
1. The Lao Peoples Democratic Republic has received a grant from Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.
Ministry of Health, Hygiene Department, The Principal Recipient (PR) intend to pay this grant to procure Trucks for transport of health
products listed below by using Grant of HIV - Single Stream Funding Y2012.
2. The Procurement Unit of Principal Recipient (PR) office of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS/Tuberculosis/Malaria in Lao PDR now invites
sealed bid from interesting and eligible bidders to supply the following items listed below:
3. This Procurement will follow Public procurement procedures for International Competitive Bidding (ICB) defined in the
Procurement Guideline of The Principal Recipient of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria in Lao PDR
issue on November 2009.
No. Description Quantity
1 Truck 3
4. This Procurement is open to all eligible Bidders, who have business license related to the above goods, and for in country
Bidders, they should have Business License and Updated Tax Payment Certificate of recent year.
5. Interested eligible Bidders may obtain further information and inspect Tender Documents at the address given below:
Attention to: Mr. Keophouthone Inthivong, Procurement Specialist, GFATM Project
Address: Ministry of Health, Hygiene Department, Principal Recipient Office, supported by GFATM in Lao PDR
Opposite Ministry of Health, Simeuang Road, Ban Simeuang, Sisattanak District, Vientiane Capital, Lao PDR
Tel: 856 21 242 980/ Fax: 856 21 242 981
E-mail address: keophouthone@theglobalfundlao.org, and Cc; Dr. Viengsavanh Phanmanivong, Head of Procurement Unit, email
address: viengsavanhp@theglobalfundlao.org
6. A complete set of Bidding documents in English Language will be received by the interested Suppliers on the submission of a
writing application to Global fund Project Office from May 14, 2012 to June 29, 2012 at 14:00h and upon payment of a non-
refundable fee of 500,000 Kip. The method of payment shall be in cash and transfer to the following account:
Account Name: MPSC-HA-CONSO-P1
Account No. 1015110118725
Bank Name: Banque Pour Le Commerce Exterieur Lao - BCEL
7. Bidding Documents must be delivered to the address mentioned in the Bidding documents before the June 29, 2012 at 14:00h
(Local time). Any Bidding Documents received later than the scheduled time will be rejected and returned unopened to the bidders.
All bids will be opened immediately after bid submission by the Bidding Committee in presence of bidders’ representatives who
choose to attend at address below.
The Meeting Room of PR Office First floor, Opposite Ministry of Health, Simeuang Road, Ban Simeuang, Sisattanak District,
Vientiane Capital, Lao PDR. Tel: 856 21 242 980 / Fax: 856 21 242 981.
The envelope containing the proposed Bidding must be clearly marked “Bidding for Supplying Trucks’’ and “DO NOT OPEN
before June 29, 2012 at 14:00h (Local time)’’.
Bidding Documents will be opened in presence of the Suppliers’ representatives who choose to attend this meeting at the address
mentioned above on the June 29, 2012 at 14:15h (Local time)
8. All bids shall be accompanied by a Bid Security in amount of not less than two percents (2%) of the bid price in Lao or US
currency. The Bid Security form shall be a bank guarantee in accordance with the provided form in the Bidding Document.
Dr. Chanmy Saramay
Manager of PR Office
Global Fund Project to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and
Malaria
Vientiane Times Tuesday May 15, 2012 7
World
UN convoy comes under fire near Syria’s Homs
DAMASCUS (Xinhua) -- A heading to the suburb of implementation of UN-Arab
Mexico drug war’s latest
toll: 49 headless bodies
convoy of UN observes in Syria Dumair, northeast to Damascus, League joint special envoy Kofi
came under fire while touring before it reached a military Annan’s six-point peace plan
al-Qusair area near central checkpoint at the entrance of that calls mainly to the halt of
Homs province on Sunday, Dumair, witnesses said, adding all violence by both sides of
local media reported. that one of the UN vehicles was the conflict in order to pave the MONTERREY, Mexico (AP) were taken to a Monterrey The officer, who spoke
None of the observers were slightly damaged with smashed way for a political settlement to -- Police found 49 mutilated auditorium for DNA tests. on condition of anonymity
hit or injured, the report said, window. However, none of the Syria’s 14-month unrest. bodies scattered in a pool of The victims could have because he was not authorised
adding that minor damages were observers were injured. The number of UN blood near the border with the been killed as long as two to discuss the case, said
caused to one of the convoy’s Last Wednesday, a roadside observers already on ground US, a region where Mexico’s days ago at another location, none of the six female
vehicles. bomb ripped through the UN in Syria has risen to 189, most two dominant drug cartels are then transported to San Juan, bodies matched the missing
After the shooting, the convoy while it was en route of them deployed in restive trying to outdo each other in a town in the municipality daughter’s description. He
convoy returned to Homs to southern Daraa province, Syrian cities, in hopes that bloodshed while warring over of Cadereyta, about 175 said some of the bodies were
without carrying on with its injuring eight members of the their presence would calm smuggling routes. kilometres west-southwest badly decomposed and some
planned tour. accompanying security forces. the simmering tension in the The bodies of 43 men and of McAllen, Texas, and had their whole arms or lower
The latest attack is third On Saturday, the European unrest- ridden country, sources six women with their heads, 125 kilometres southwest legs missing.
targeting the UN observers Union sent 25 armored vehicle told Xinhua Sunday. Annan has hands and feet chopped off of the Roma, Texas, border De la Garza said he did
since their arrival. to ensure the safety of the recently said that a total of 300 were dumped at the entrance crossing, state Attorney not rule out the possibility that
On Friday, a UN convoy observers. The observers’ observers will be on ground in to the town of San Juan, on General Adrian de la Garza the victims were US-bound
was pelted with stones while mission is meant to monitor the Syria by the end of May. a highway that connects the said. migrants.
industrial city of Monterrey Only one couple looking for But it seemed more likely
Poverty Reduction Fund (PRF) with Reynosa, across from their missing daughter visited that the killings were the latest
Request for Expression of Interest for individual McAllen, Texas. the morgue in Monterrey salvo in a gruesome game of
At the spot where where autopsies were being tit-for-tat in fighting between
Consultants authorities discovered the performed Sunday, a state the Zetas and the powerful
bodies before dawn Sunday, a police investigator said. Sinaloa Cartel.
Project No.: P 123480 white stone arch that normally
Country: Lao People’s Democratic Republic
Project: The Poverty Reduction Fund welcomes visitors to the town
Description: Community Relations Officer, Community Capacity Building Officer, Public Information was spray-painted with “100
Officer (Lao nationals only) percent Zeta” in black letters
Grant No.: H685-LA - an apparent reference to the
The government of Laos, with support from the World Bank, Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, fearsome Zetas drug cartel that
Ausaid and JSDF, has set up the Poverty Reduction Fund (PRF) to deliver small scale development project including was founded by deserters from
support to livelihood activities at the Kum ban and villages levels. The project is now seeking for the following the Mexican army’s special
positions to be based in Vientiane Office: forces.
1. Community Relations Officer The bodies, some of them
in plastic garbage bags, were
The main objective of the position is to manage the overall implementation and monitoring of the Feedback and most likely brought to the spot
Resolution Mechanism in order to ensure that: and dropped from the back of
• The voices of the community members (and in particularly the poor and vulnerable) can be heard through
appropriate and easy access channels of communication;
a dump truck, Nuevo Leon
• The issues raised through the FRM are resolved effectively and expeditiously; state security spokesman Jorge
• The feedback received can support the overall improvement of the processes and procedures of the PRF. Domene said.
Domene said the dead Federal policemen guard the area where dozens of bodies, some of
Required qualifications and experience: would be hard to identify
• A university degree in fields related to community development, social sciences, political sciences, laws; them mutilated, were found on a highway connecting the northern
• At least 3 years relevant working experience in the field of rural development in mountainous and remote areas, because of the lack of heads, Mexican metropolis of Monterrey to the US border found in the
working directly with the communities and local authorities, with an emphasis on feedback resolution and data hands and feet. The remains town of San Juan near the city of Monterrey, Mexico. --Photo AP
analysis would be preferable;
• Experiences in project/program using participatory development tools, and community driven approaches;
• Experiences in conflict resolution;
• Familiarity with government and foreign aid project operations would be an advantage;
• Experience in training of trainers;

VACANCY
• Fluency in written and spoken English is essential;
• Comprehensive computer skills: in particular MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint and basic database management.
• Women and small ethnic group members are encouraged to apply

2. Community Capacity Building Officer
Required qualifications and experience:
• A university degree in community development, social sciences, political sciences or relevant fields;
• At least 5 years of experience in multi-sectoral project management in decentralized and Community
Development approaches is required;
• Experience in working with – in particular training of ethnic groups in mountainous and remote areas
through bottom-up and participatory approaches reflective of community needs;
• Experience in the implementation of program with focus on gender promotion;
• Experience in training of Project staff for community development operations;
• Comprehensive knowledge in participatory planning and PRA tools;
• Experience in organizing meetings and delivering training;
• Comprehensive computer skills: in particular MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint;
• Fluency in written and spoken English is essential;
• Excellent Communication and social skills;
• Familiarity with government and foreign aid project operations;
• Willingness to travel in rural areas.
3. Public Information Officer
The main responsibilities of the position are to 1) disseminate all information (prepare in both Lao and English)
regarding PRF at the national, provincial and district levels 2) support Information-Education-Communication (IEC)
team in the development of appropriate IEC material that can effectively articulate the goals and objectives of the
PRFP to rural communities 3) extend the media campaign to inform the general public and international community,
particularly in the context of Community Driven Development (CDD).
Required qualifications and experience:
• A University degree in one or more of the following disciplines: communications social marketing,
journalism, international relations, public relations or other related fields,
• At least 3 years of professional experience as a journalist, public information officer or professional writer,
including experience in the preparation and production of materials for publication or IEC tools;
• Leadership skills with competencies in facilitation, organization of meetings and workshop community
mobilization.
• Ability to work independently, within an interpreted framework of the project’s requirements;
• Creativity;
• Good interpersonal and management skill;
• Willingness to work in rural areas in order to assist related IEC activities.
• Comprehensive computer skills including desktop publishing, graphic design, word, data, and visual
material processing skills;
• Fluency in written and spoken English and Lao;
• Ability to translate between Lao and English.
The job descriptions (detailed or specific duties and expected outputs) can be obtained at PRF website http://
www.prflaos.org or at PRF Office). Women are encouraged to apply for all positions.
All interested applicants should submit (1) a cover letter outlining clearly how the candidate meets the requirements
of the position, (2) a detailed CV with one (3x4) photo and (3) supporting documents (certificate of the most recent
employment, certificates of qualification/graduation, transcript of graduation, a list of at least three referees, etc) to
the HR Officer, Poverty Reduction Fund, Prime Minister’s Office 501 building, Sisavathtai Village, Chanthabouly
District, P.O Box 4625 Vientiane, Tel: 021 261479 - 80, Email: piengngeune@prflaos.org. Please note that all
submitted documents will not be returned.
Deadline for applications: 18th May 2012
Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for interview
The Health Poverty Action is seeking an experienced and qualified candidate to fill a staff
position of Procurement Officer. This post will be based in Vientiane Capital.
Responsibilities
• Function as liaison person for procurement between Attapeu and Vientiane offices
• Ensure that procurement plans are carried out in a timely manner to meet the needs
of the affected population and project activities
• Be responsible for procurement requirements such as quotations, competitive
bidding, selection committee and banking, according to HPA and donor rules and
regulations.
• Monitor and maintain a record of all transactions carried out
• Ensure that all documentation required by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry
of Health, Lao Women’s Union, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry and other
relevant government partners is kept up to date at country office level, as well as at
field level
• Assist with following up with various ministries as required
• Work closely with the Logistics Officer, Finance Officer, Administration Officer,
Finance and Administration Manager and Project Managers/Team Leaders.
• Attend cluster meetings as required
• Liaise with other development partners working in this area
• Ensure compliance with HPA’s rules and regulations concerning financial transactions
and reporting
• Any other duties as reasonably requested by Manager
Qualifications required
a) Bachelor Degree in Arts Business Administration or a related field
b) At least three years experience in procurement/administrative work
c) Good written and spoken English
d) Computer literacy in Microsoft Word and Excel or similar packages.
Personal qualities
• A self-managed and self-motivated person who needs minimal supervision
• A capacity to be flexible under stressful conditions
• Commitment to the aims and overall policy of Health Poverty Action
a) Previous experience of working with INGO or international organizations or
knowledge of international standard pattern.
All interested applicants should submit a CV and an application letter in a standard application
form available at the HPA Office in Vientiane, No 381 Ban Phonthan neua, Saysettha District, Tel:
021 265272,264960, Fax: 021 264961, e-mail: huvtelaos@laopdr.com. Electronic Application
form and full job descriptions are available upon request. Closing date is 20 May 2012. Only
short-listed candidates will be contacted for interview. Women are encouraged to apply.
8 Tuesday May 15, 2012 Vientiane Times
Vientiane Times Tuesday May 15, 2012 9
10 Tuesday May 15, 2012
Opinion
What’s your opinion of the media in Laos?
Bounfaeng Phaymanivong
A company worker, Mr
Soukkaseum Moungkhoun: The
media has improved a lot over
the past decade, and the Vientiane
Times, the leading English language
newspaper in Laos, keeps us well
informed. Access to information
plays a key role in socio-economic
development, and the media plays
a vital role in education, culture
and various other matters. To my
understanding, more people are
more likely to read newspapers and
magazines rather than watch TV
programmes if they want accurate
information. Of course, we need
more skilled personnel to work in
the industry, and the more skilled
professionals we have the more
things will improve. If we want to
boost the quality of TV programmes
we offer, we must look at translating
more content into Lao.
Streetwise
The global media continues to change, and Lao media is also
evolving to meet the needs of modern society. Nowadays,
information technology is key to keeping people informed about
world events. Lao people can see the changes and hope news
outlets here will improve in line with international standards
A student, Ms Thipphavilay regarding health topics. Readers
Phengsackmeuang: In the past, have plenty of options when it
radio programmes were only comes to magazines and newspapers
available in urban areas but today - this is what the print media can
they are broadcast nationwide, offer the public now. However,
giving more people access to to continue to improve, the print
information. That’s one example of media must provide a lot more
content rather than just photos. It is
inevitable that we will be influenced
by neighbouring countries but
we can attract viewers to Lao
programming by having more
content about local lifestyles and
practices.
A doctor at the 103 Hospital, Dr
Chomphouvan Nanthavong:
I think the media is improving,
compared to the past, but we still
have a long way to go to reach the
standard of other countries in the
region. It will take a lot of effort
the way the media has improved. before we can reach a comparable
Personally, I prefer reading standard. I think the print media and
books rather than watching TV TV broadcasting have improved
programmes. I think the print media considerably in recent years. They
produces the most accurate and have good content such as news
up-to-date information, especially programming, musical content and
Vientiane Times
other forms of entertainment. But
more improvement is required for
Lao media to attract more local
viewers and readers. I think our
television stations should produce
more interesting programmes and
films to attract viewers and keep
people informed.
A government employee, Mr
Vithaya Sengphakhone: I think
the media is improving in terms
of quality and content. However,
the development of the media sector
needs to continue in order to better
serve the needs of society. I think the
media plays an important role because
it provides people with information,
especially in the digital era. I think
that a new challenge is to improve
online media because many people
use social networks and view other
online content. So it is important for
the information sector to recognise
this and create more websites that
allow people to access the news and
information via the internet.
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: 216364, 252629, 217593; Fax: 216365
Vientiane Times Tuesday May 15, 2012 Opinion 11

‘Tell me why’: A lesson for LDC graduation New oil pricing

mechanism urged in China
Minh H. Pham category was begun in 1971, such areas as nutrition, child

W
hen my son was
younger, I used to
happily tease him
by singing an old song: “Tell
me why life is beautiful.” Yet
when I meet the 8-year-old
daughter of a Lao acquaintance
these days, this refrain turns
very melancholy: this girl’s
family is struggling, for many
reasons. The mother has had
motorcycle accidents during
her morning commute because
of her rapidly deteriorating
vision; she has been told she
needs immediate surgery. But
as the sole support of her two
children, she cannot afford to
stop working.
I know this 8-year-old
girl must have numerous
questions, and not the happy
one from the song. Tell me
why my mother has a serious
eye problem that may cause
her to go blind. Tell me why
we don’t have the money to
fix that. Tell me why life is so
difficult for us, while others
get richer and richer.
Sadly, there are many
people across the Lao PDR
who probably harbour similar
thoughts, as economic and
social inequities persist despite
impressive overall national
economic growth. Yet we know
that serious human development
initiatives are underway that
place the reduction of such
disparities as a top priority.
Government and deve-
lopment partners must keep in
mind the “tell me why” factor
as we open a critical conference
this week, on development of
a strategy for Laos to progress
toward graduation from Least
Developed Country (LDC)
status by 2020. The success
of such a strategy will depend
on not only meeting the
global criteria for graduation,
which are based on national
averages, but also addressing
the often-hidden factor of
equity, between and within
regions, between rural and
urban areas, between genders,
and among vulnerable
populations.
Laos could be deemed
formally eligible for graduation
as early as 2018, if it meets
the threshold requirements for
two of the three graduation
criteria by 2015. If so, 2018
would initiate a three-year
“smooth transition” period,
during which continued
development gains must
be ensured despite loss of
preferential LDC treatment in
2021. If Laos succeeds, it will
make history and join a very
select group: since the LDC
only three countries have
actually graduated so far.
Building on the
Government’s longstanding
commitment to LDC graduation,
the country will need to continue
with “structural transformation”
that ensures wider opportunities
for a better quality of life for
all. A key challenge for the
Government will be to manage
several policy choices as Laos
aims for graduation and the
post-graduation era.
In particular, this includes
how to integrate LDC
graduation into the heart of
the country’s Vision 2020,
so that graduation serves as
a first step toward longer-
term sustainable development
for all. Critical actions will
require sound management
of debt as the country
shifts away from receiving
grants to concessional loans
and, eventually, to quasi-
commercial loans. Linked to
this will be the need to increase
budget revenues from Foreign
Direct Investments in natural
resources development to
deal with higher repayments
expected on the expanding
number of loans.
At the same time,
“smoothing out” the curve
of fiscal management will
be crucial in a multi-year
framework so that the country
can manage the impact of
volatile commodity prices
on revenues and continue
to prioritise additional
investments for achievement of
the Millennium Development
Goals (MDGs). This will
be necessary especially in
mortality, secondary school
enrolment, and adult literacy.
Rebalancing dependence on
the natural resource sector
will require special focus on
sectors such as agriculture
and rural development, with
direct linkages to reduction
of poverty and hunger, and on
small industry development
to also boost employment in
modern industry.
Strengthening national
resilience through improved
Disaster Risk Management
will be critical as well. For
example, in my experience
in the Maldives – one of the
three countries to graduate
from LDC status – the country
had been declared eligible
for graduation but had to
be granted an exceptional
postponement by another three
years so it could cope with the
economic devastation of the
2004 Indian Ocean tsunami.
Laos has every reason
to look forward to LDC
graduation with hope, since
the Government and people
alike do not wish to remain
trapped in the status of being
underdeveloped. The country
is potentially poised to “take
off” in the long term, with
LDC graduation just the first
step. And if the country is
successful in its ambition, far
fewer people in Laos will need
to plead “tell me why”.
Minh H. Pham is the
Resident Coordinator of the
United Nations System in the
Lao PDR and the Resident
Representative of the United
Nations Development
Programme.
Tang Danlu
BEIJING (Xinhuanet) -- Chinese
price watchdog announced on
Wednesday to cut gasoline and
diesel prices for the first time
since last October, which has
fuelled mixed voices to reform
current pricing mechanism for
refined oil products.
Gasoline and diesel
prices will be reduced by 330
yuan (US$52.38) and 310
yuan per tonne respectively
from Thursday, the National
Development and Reform
Commission (NDRC) said in a
statement on its website.
The adjustments will lower
the benchmark retail price of
gasoline by 0.24 yuan per litre
and diesel by 0.26 yuan per
litre.
The move came in line
with lower crude prices on the
global market since late March.
International crude prices
kept dropping as a sluggish
economic outlook for the
eurozone and the United States
triggered fears of decline in
global oil demand.
The fuel price cut will
lower domestic transportation
costs, which will then help
lower vegetable prices and
ease inflation pressure, said
Han Jingyuan, an industry
analyst at www.315.com.cn, a
commodity-related information
provider.
However, the decision may
not calm down the complaints
from consumers for more price
rises than cuts.
It has been an irreversible
trend for domestic oil prices to
gain more frequently than fall
in line with international market
changes, Han said.
According to media surveys
in the Chinese first-tire cities,
such as Shenzhen, Beijing and
Shanghai, most of the local
economic planning agencies
have no plan to lower the taxi
fuel surcharges, which was
raised consecutively in recent
years.
NDRC last changed the
gasoline and diesel prices on
March 20, raising them by
600 yuan per tonne, which led
to wide increase in prices of
civil aviation oil and taxi fuel
surcharges.
Rising prices possible
If the “geopolitical crises”
come to flatten, the global
market will not see sharp
declines, experts noted.
The crude price rises this
year were mainly caused by the
turbulent Middle East situations,
including production halts in
Libya and Iran’s oil cuts over its
tense nuclear issue.
“I think crude prices will
not drop significantly in the
following months. They will
return to an acceptable level for
both producers and consumers,”
said Wang Zhen, head of
the Business Administration
College of China University of
Petroleum.
As the Iran nuclear crisis has
not been resolved appropriately,
the crude prices still might soar
up for probably worsening
situations, stressed Lin Boqiang,
director of the China Centre for
Energy Economics Research at
Xiamen University.

JOB OPPORTUNITY
WWF is one of the world's largest and most respected independent conservation organizations,
with almost 5 million supporters and a global network active in over 100 countries. WWF's
mission is to stop the degradation of the earth's natural environment and to build a future in
which humans live in harmony with nature, by conserving the world's biological diversity,
ensuring that the use of renewable natural resources is sustainable, and promoting the
reduction of pollution and wasteful consumption.
The Greater Mekong region is one of the biologically richest places on the planet; its varied
natural resources support the livelihoods and well-being of millions of people in mainland
Southeast Asia. WWF-Greater Mekong – on the ground in Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and
Vietnam – is working to conserve the region’s biodiversity and build a secure and sustainable
future for people and wildlife.
WWF is seeking to recruit well-qualified and experienced candidates for the following
positions for “Strengthening Resilience in Natural Resources’ Dependent Communities”
Project.
1. Project Manager, WWF-Greater Mekong (based in Thailand, Lao PDR, or Vietnam)
The Project Manager is responsible for leading the planning, management and
implementation of the project and managing project resources effectively and efficiently
so as to achieve the project objectives and outcomes within the set timescale and
available budget. The Project Manager is also responsible for interfacing with and
reporting to the World Bank, which is supporting the project. Because the project is
being implemented in both Lao PDR and Vietnam, the Project Manager will play a
critical role in supporting Project Coordinators and other project staff in each country.
Likewise, the Project Manager will need to encourage synergies across the two countries
and synthesize lessons learned in each.
Email for application: vacancy@wwfgreatermekong.org, with attention to Ms. Nguyen
Dieu Linh, Human Resources Advisor
2. Project Coordinator, WWF-Laos (For Lao National and based in Pakse, Champasak
Province, Lao PDR)
The Project Coordinator is responsible for the management and implementation of the
Project in Lao PDR and ensures the compliance with the Project Document and WWF’s
contractual obligations.
Email for application: phonesavanh.philavanh@wwfgreatermekong.org, with attention
to Ms. Phonesavanh Philavanh, Human Resources Manager
The detailed Job Descriptions of the positions are posted on www.panda.org, www.
panda.org/greatermekong and www.panda.org/laos under Jobs.
Interested candidates should email a cover letter, curriculum vitae and available degrees and
qualifications in English to above-mentioned email addresses by 20 May 2012.
Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.
12 Tuesday May 15, 2012 Vientiane Times

Feature
Teacher loses legs saving
students from charging bus
HARBIN, (Xinhua) -- A
29-year-old middle school
teacher in northeast China’s
Heilongjiang province was
run over and lost both of her
legs after pushing two students
out of the way of an oncoming
bus on Tuesday.
Zhang Lili, a teacher at the
No. 19 middle school in the
city of Jiamusi, was crossing
the road just outside the
school’s gate when a school
bus suddenly came rushing
toward nearby students at 8:38
p.m. Tuesday. Zhang pushed
two students out of the way
of the bus, but she herself was
run over, witnesses said.
“There were three buses at
the school gate ready to pick
up students, but the one in the
back suddenly crashed into the
second bus and pushed it into
the first one. There were several
students standing between the
first and the second buses and
they were about to be crushed,”
said Liu Ye, a student of No. 19
middle school.
“I screamed, but I did not
know what to do,” Liu said.
“I saw Zhang Lili running
toward the front of the second
bus. She then used her bottom
to push one student away and
grabbed another student away
from the bus, but she was hit
by it,” said Li Jinru, Zhang’s
colleague.
“It was a mess, and the
bus windows were shattered
and shards of glass were lying
all around. We pulled Zhang
from under the bus and called
the ambulance,” Li said.
Six people, including
Zhang and five students, were
injured and sent to Jiamusi
Zhongxin Hospital.
The five students sustained
minor injuries, but Zhang was
seriously injured, suffering
lumbar and pelvic fractures.
She is still in a coma and her
legs have to be amputated,
said Cao Hongtao, head of the
hospital.
“She is so young and has
yet to have babies, so we only
amputated her legs, but if
things get worse, I’m afraid
her bottom will have to be
removed, too,” Cao said.
Her pulse and blood
pressure are improving, but
she is still in critical condition
and the risks of infection after
the operation remain high,
Cao said.
“Her heroic deeds are
so touching. We will do our
utmost to save her,” Cao said.
Zhang’s accident has
shocked and saddened her
family, colleagues and
students.
Zhang’s father has yet to
accept what has happened to
his daughter.
“I am her rock, but she is
my world,” her husband Li
Ziye said in an interview with
Xinhua.
After the incident, many
students and their parents
went to the hospital, offering
to donate their blood and
money to Zhang, said Wang
Yuwen, Zhang’s colleague.
“She is like a mother
figure to me, and when I was
with her, I felt warm in my
heart,” said Yan Hongyi, one
of Zhang’s students.
“I was very sad that my
teacher was injured, but I am
not surprised that she would
risk her life to save others,”
Yan said. “She once protected
us from a bicycle that was
about to hit us back in 2009.”
“Zhang has been donating
100 yuan each month to a boy
in her class for three years
now. I feel that I have so much
to learn from her,” Wang
said. (100 yuan is equal to
US$15.9)
The driver, surnamed
Xiao, has been detained.
Xiao said she knew the
bus’s brakes were not working
well, and after she started
the engine, she got distracted
talking to people on the bus
and her leg accidentally pushed
the gearshift, said Zhang
Jiandong, an official with the
Jiamusi Traffic Police.
Persevering
for children’s sake
Saroja Devi (centre) and her daughters Ragasutha (left) and S.
Bagavathi selling snacks at their stall at Bukit Sentosa, Rawang
on Thursday.
Yuen Meikeng
MALAYSIA (The Star, ANN)
-- She was left to support five
children all by herself after
her husband abandoned her 10
years ago.
Life was challenging as she
tried to make ends meet and
Saroja Devi even recalls that
at one time, her family had no
food to eat for a day.
“I was so stressed out as I
had to support my family all by
myself. At times, I thought of
just ending my life.
“However, I needed to go
on for the sake of my children,"
said the 54-year-old when met
at Bukit Sentosa near here
yesterday.
Her daughter S. Ragasutha,
19, said the children wanted
to show their love for her
on Mothers Day by cooking
Saroja Devi's favourite chicken
curry and giving her a cake.
"Life was very tough for
us but she made it work. She
is our idol.
"I hope to be as strong as
her," said Ragasutha, the third
child in the family.
Saroja Devi juggles two jobs
a day she sells curry puffs in the
morning and provides tailoring
services in the evening.
On an average day, she
earns about 50 ringgit selling
snacks while her sewing
business helps to supplement
her income, especially during
festive seasons.
She claimed that her
husband, a scrap metal
collector, used to abuse her
verbally and physically before
he left the family.
Saroja Devi initially
sold flower garlands but was
given assistance by Yayasan
MyNadi (My National Agenda
Development for Indians), a
non-governmental organisation
that was formed to reach out to
the less fortunate in the Indian
community.
The foundation gave Saroja
Devi 2,700 ringgit in the form
of a sewing machine and a stall
to kick-start her business over
two years ago.
Yayasan MyNadi director
M. Ellamaran said the
foundation had spent 2 million
ringgit on its community
projects so far, and had,among
others, set up a free tuition
centre for needy students.
Asked if she was tired from
working every day, Saroja
Devi said: "At times, I do feel
like giving up. I am exhausted
but I must continue for the sake
of my children."

Petrovietnam Oil Lao Company Limited (PVOIL LAO) is a subsidiary of Petrovietnam Oil
Corporation (PVO) which has assumed the ownership from Societe Shell du Laos from 1st
December 2010.

Petrovietnam Oil Lao Co., Ltd. operates with the aim to develop the downstream section
becoming the leading corporation in petroleum industry peering with petroleum companies
in the region and over the world. We are urgently looking for high potential candidates in
the following positions:

Distribution Manager Assistant

Job Scope:
• Manage distribution operations to be most effective and efficiency,
• Effective arrangement for the receipt, storage and deliveries of products as well as
quality control for all products movement,
• Ensure of safety and securities precautions are taken for the movement of products.
• Ensure that all company’s properties are safeguard and fully protected against
all kinds of losses through fraud, thefts, fire, sabotage and other unsafe acts and
conditions.
Qualification:
• Bachelor degree in Engineering or Environment Science or equivalent,
• Strong consulting and analytical skills,
• Having 3-5 years related experience in oil industry & operations,
• Good command of spoken and written Lao/English.

How to Apply:
Please submit your application letter together with CV (all in English), stating full qualifications
and experience as well as position apply, expected salary and a recent photograph to:

Human Resources Department Attn: Ms. Latsamy Kosyphan

Petrovietnam Oil Lao Co., Ltd E-mail address: l.kosyphan@pvoil.la
143 Sithane Road, Vientiane, Lao PDR Tel. 021 214 142, 021 222 968-9

Closing date: 31 May 2012

Vientiane Times
Balinese designers sense good times from Asia, Australia
Mariel Grazella
INDONESIA (The Jakarta
Post, ANN) -- Balinese fashion
retailers are forecasting sunny
sales growth as the market
is increasingly reliant on
domestic buyers, dispelling
the effects of financial gloom
lingering within crisis-ridden
European and US tourists.
Agung Subamia, general
manager of the Biasa label,
said the European and US
crisis, which has affected the
industry “as it is affecting
other industries on the island”,
would not spell doom for the
island’s fashion industry.
“The market is shifting,
given that Asia’s economy,
as well as Australia’s, is
strengthening,” he told The
Jakarta Post.
Biasa experienced a 10
percent rise both in revenue and
production last year. The brand
currently stocks around 15,000
items for women and men at
its main store in Seminyak, the
island’s dapper quarter.
Similarly, Made de Coney,
the creative director behind
the Lily Jean brand, said last
year “was actually a good year
for us”, as Indonesians and
Australians assumed the role
as its prime customers.
Data from the Bali Tourism
Agency shows that the number
of foreign tourists rose 10.5
percent to 2.7 million people
last year, from the 2.4 million
recorded in 2010. Australians
accounted for 28.6 percent, the
highest proportion of tourists,
followed by Chinese and
Japanese.
“Our revenues grew by a
stable average of 10-15 per
cent each year,” said de Coney,
who launched the brand in
2004 after years in the fashion
industry.
Lily Jean sells women’s
clothing at up to US$350,
according to prices listed
on its website. The brand
manufactures around 12,000
pieces annually.
In addition to setting up
stores in Bali, certain brands
have set foot in Jakarta, the
country’s trend-smitten capital.
The modish area of Kemang,
South Jakarta, has been Biasa’s
choice to establish its presence
in the capital.
Agung noted that the
clientèle in Jakarta, which
contributed 20 percent to
overall revenues, tends to be
homogeneous compared to the
mixed bag of tourists in Bali.
Besides keeping up the
domestic market, the Bali-
based fashion designers have
been able to maintain export
levels as well.
Lily Jean, which exports
to 12 countries including
Japan and Brazil, have seen
wholesale exports steadily
rising by around 10-15 percent,
A tourist checks out clothes at a traditional market in Badung, Bali. Fashion designers in Bali predict
growth of at least 10 percent this year, despite the lingering financial worries in Europe and the US,
thanks to increasing Australian and domestic tourists.
de Coney said, “European
crisis or not.”
“Our percentage of sales
traffic is 80 percent domestic
and 20 percent exports,” de
Coney said.
Growth in previous
years has spurred Balinese
designers to raise their growth
expectations by at least two
per cent higher than last year’s.
However, brands still remain
prudent about the crisis, which
continues to cloud Europe and
the US.
“One of our main customers
are the Europeans. So yes, it
might be possible that [the
crisis] will affect us this year.
We will have to wait for the
high season to be sure,” de
Coney said.
Tuesday May 15, 2012
--Photo JP/Zul Trio Anggono
Yet, there is another
tendency that Bali-based
designers have to watch out
for: The trend of abandoning
the island’s unique style.
Agung said the thriving
growth of Bali’s fashion
industry has reached
overwhelming levels — to the
point that local designers were
copying Western fashion.
Feature 13
“This retains very little
of the original identity of the
island,” he told the Post, adding
that this kind of copying left
Bali “too weak to be a fashion
hub”.
Biasa sources 80 percent
of materials locally, with
the remaining 20 percent
imported.
Emma-Lee Lovett, the head
of marketing at the Beachgold
label, said that Balinese
designers “have made inroads”
to establishing themselves on
the international scene, and the
island would eventually attain
a “fashion-hub” status.
“There are probably 30 or
more world-class labels that
produce their brand from Bali
now, and this number will
steadily increase based on what
the local industry can offer, in
terms of handicraft skills,” she
told the Post.
Her brand incorporates
local elements, such as
traditional fabrics and prints,
into its designs.
She added that foreign
tourists have given designers
a global customer base and
altered the perception of Bali
as a summer island to that as
a resort destination, and thus,
giving rise to “resort fashion”.
“Eventually, through the
promotion of the unique skills
in the industries present in
the island, Bali may reach the
fashion-hub status,” she said.
14 Tuesday May 15, 2012
Art & Entertainment
Popstar Tot falling back in love
Tot Lina performs in her second music video, which has received more than 80,000 hits since being
released in March
Ounkham Pimmata
After recently releasing two
singles about a broken heart,
Lao pop singer Tot Lina is
moving on, with her third
single expressing what it is
like to fall in love again.
Her two previous singles
“Nightmare” and the hit “Kor
thod tee bor thon” (I’m sorry I
can’t stand you you), were both
about being brokenhearted,
but she has picked up the
‘Avengers’ gets US$103m in record weekend
(China Daily) -- “The
Avengers,” the smash hit movie
about Marvel superheroes who
team up to save the Earth,
crushed competitors for a
second weekend with a record
US$103.2 million in US and
Canadian ticket sales and was
poised to top US$1 billion
worldwide, studio estimates
showed on Sunday.
After posting the highest
domestic box office debut
in history last weekend,
pieces for her third single in
which she sings about a new
boyfriend.
Tot Lina runs away from
him but is chased by his
bodyguards. A man then
comes out from the hallway
to save her from her angry
boyfriend.
Tot is being a little coy
about her new release and
won’t reveal the title of her
new song just yet, but says it
will surprise her fans with the
“Avengers” set another record
by easily topping the US$75.6
million “Avatar” pulled in
during its second weekend in
2009, making “Avengers” the
first movie to exceed US$100
million in its second weekend.
“Avengers” has now racked
up a staggering US$628.9
million internationally since
opening overseas on April 25,
distributor Walt Disney Co
said, positioning it to break the
US$1 billion threshold after
upbeat dance-pop style.
Written by Tar Apact, her
third single tells the story of a
woman who falls in love with
a man and wonders how she
can make him interested in
her. It is lighthearted and fun,
and should make fans want to
smile and dance.
She worked in
collaboration with her
producer to improve various
aspects of her work, and
make sure that the content
just 19 days.
“We’re obviously
thrilled,” said Robert Iger,
Disney’s Chairman and CEO
in a statement.
“You can never anticipate
this kind of success,” echoed
Dave Hollis, executive vice
president for motion picture
distribution. “It’s a staggering
result.”
Its success owed in large
part to “a story that delivers on
every level, to every segment
Tot Lina.
suits her style and reflects what
she wants to convey.
Tot will release her new
single on the radio at the
end of this month, but the
accompanying music video
will not come out until June.
She said she wants the music
video to portray her confidence
and sexiness, saying it will be
different from “Kor thod tee
bor thon” which was released
on Youtube in March.
“I want my fans to be happy
with my new video, and I feel
confident I’m doing the right
thing by spicing it up a little,”
Tot said.
of the audience,” he added.
The big-budget 3D flick - the
first of Hollywood’s lucrative
summer season - unites Iron
Man, Black Widow, Captain
America and other Marvel comic
book heroes in a fight against a
villain determined to destroy
the planet. Disney announced
this week it is planning an
“Avengers” sequel.
The movie took in US$207.4
million at North American (US
and Canadian) theaters over
its opening weekend, helping
improve the performance of the
studio, which earlier stumbled at
box offices with its big-budget
release “John Carter.”
“Avengers” mania over-
whelmed new horror comedy
“Dark Shadows,” according to
studio estimates compiled by
Reuters. “Dark Shadows” pulled
in an estimated US$28.8 million
from Friday through Sunday at
domestic theaters.
The latest collaboration
between actor Johnny Depp and
director Tim Burton, the $100
million “Dark Shadows” is
based on the cult TV soap opera
that ran from 1966 to 1971
about vampires, werewolves
and witches living in a ghostly
countryside manor. Michelle
Pfeiffer and Helena Bonham
Carter also star.
Studio executives said the
total was in line with expectations
of about US$30 million.
“We’re hoping to leg it
out over the next few weeks,”
said Dan Fellman, president
of theatrical distribution for
Warner Bros., referring to
films developing “legs” and
performing well for a period in
the weeks after opening.
Fellman noted that big May
films coming up were not really
competing for the same audience
as “Dark Shadows,” which
drew more than 50 percent of
its opening weekend audience
from viewers 35 and older.
Vientiane Times
Vientiane
What’s On
- New Zealand ASEAN Scholar Awards 2012 Information
Session will be held at Vientiane College on Tuesday May
15 at 3pm.
- Action with Lao Children Library: Open Mon to Fri 9am
to 6pm and Sat 9am to 3pm. Come in and read and borrow
Lao, Japanese, Thai and English books. Located in Ban
Saphangmor, Xaysettha district.
- Permanent UXO exhibition and the provision of artificial
limbs for victims. COPE Visitor Centre, Khouvieng Road,
opposite Green Park Hotel. Every day: 9am-6pm.
- Chess Club meets at 1pm every Sunday at City Inn on
Pangkham Road, Vientiane.
Contact: Gabriel_smit@hotmail.com
- Women’s International Group. For activities and times
email wiglaosmembership@gmail.com
- Toastmasters Club meets every Sun. from 4-6pm at
Khopchaideu restaurant (3F). Everyone is welcome.
- Meditation at Vat Sokpaluang every Saturday, 4-5.30pm.
- English Language Church Service every Sunday 10am
at the ARDA Language Centre (near the Mercure, formerly
Novotel). Call (021) 261441, or visit http://www.the-chs.org
Luang Prabang training, please contact the
LE President at president_
Big Brother Mouse helps laoelephants@laopdr.com
young people practise their for details and other meeting
English at free drop-in sessions, areas.
9-11am and 5-7pm, open every Buffalos Rugby - men’s
day. Just come to our office at rugby training Tuesday
9am or 5pm in Ban Vat Nong, evenings 6 - 7:30pm. All
around the corner from 3 Nagas welcome. Sunday morning
Hotel. www.bigbrothermouse. social touch rugby - male,
com. female all ages welcome.
Traditional Arts and Free. For either, contact
Ethnology Centre. Open 9am- John (020 77140176), Bob
6pm, Tues-Sun. (020 55510443) and Tom (020
www.taeclaos.org
Ock Pop Tok
2281111) for more information.
Wild Hogs Rugby training
Living Crafts Centre open daily at the Polytechnic pitch
for free guided tour. Natural in Phonpapao village,
dyes, weaving and batik Sisattanak, at 8pm on Tues.
drawing classes daily. 9am- and Thurs. Optional Saturday
5pm. Free transfer from Ock touch session at That Luang
Pop Tok shops in town to the at 5:30pm, Sunday fitness at
weaving centre on the Mekong. That Luang at 5:30pm. Call
Call 071 212597 020 77615677
Royal Palace National or Chris 020 77834385.
Museum. Open 8.30-11.30am Lao Mahout Netball team
and 1.30-4.30pm from trains every Tues. at 6pm
Wednesday to Monday. at Vientiane International
UXO Visitor Centre. Open School. For more information
Mon-Fri 8.30am-12 and contact Saeng on 020
2-5pm. Right turn just before 77442689.
President’s Monument on the Lions Women’s Rugby from
Northern Rd. 7.30pm on Tues and Thurs at
the Polytechnic pitch. Contact
Museums Noui on 020 4905090 or
Lao National Museum Maggie on 020 54656153.
on Samsenthai Road opposite Youth Community Rugby
National Culture Hall. Open Sessions
Mon-Fri during office hours Training for U15 Boys and
and on weekends from 9am to U17 Girls at the Polytechnic
4pm. pitch in Phonpapao village,
Horphakeo Museum Sisattanak, at 7:30pm on
on Setthathirat Road Wed. Training for children of
opposite Vat Sisaket. Open all ages at 9am on Sunday.
Mon-Sun during office hours. Aqua-fitness Fri 10-11am;
Sat 11-12. Please contact
Sports Sarah at 020 54147069 or
nsteam @live.fr
ANZ Vientiane Lions Body Language at Vientiane
Women’s Rugby Club – Accueil, Khouvieng Rd.
Wednesday night fitness Class includes stretching and
sessions from 7:30 at VIS. Pitch respiratory exercises with
trainings Thursday nights from an oriental touch. Tues. and
19:30 and Sunday from 16:00 Thurs. from 5.30-6.30pm.
at Polytechnic Pitch in Ban Contact 020 5612107.
Phonphapao. Contact Vieng Aerobics at Sokpalouang
on 020 54234111 or Maggie swimming pool, Sisattanak
on 020 78110019 for more district. Open every day from
information. 6am-8pm.
Champa Ban Youth Rugby – Vientiane Hash House Harriers
Rugby activities with a focus Meet at Nam Phu Fountain
on fun, games and healthy every Saturday for travel to
living message. Free and open out-of-town runs. Mixed Hash,
to all. Visit www.laorugby.com register at 3.45pm and depart
or contact Noui 020 54905090 4pm. Monday,VH3, family
or Maggie on 020 78110019 for Hash. 3 runs - short, medium
more information. and long. Meet at 5pm at
Lao Elephants Australian advertised venue. Phones:
Rules Football Club -Meet 223867, 217493,
at 6.30 pm on Thursdays for mobile 020 5511293, 5514669.
Vientiane Times Tuesday May 15, 2012 Sports 15

Man City wins title with late goals in final game
LONDON (AP) -- Manchester
City came out on top on the
most dramatic final day in
Premier League history, scoring
twice in injury time to win its
first English league title in 44
years.
City knew that victory
over Queens Park Rangers on
Sunday would clinch the title
but was on the verge of handing
the trophy to Manchester
United when it trailed 2-1 with
90 minutes played.
United players thought they
had retained the title with a 1-0
win at Sunderland that ended
at almost the same moment
that City substitute Edin Dzeko
equalised in the second minute
of injury time.
The title was still headed to
Old Trafford at that point but the
lead in the standings changed
hands again two minutes later
— for a fourth and final time
in a single day — when Sergio
Aguero sealed a 3-2 win that
meant City finished above
defending champion United on
goal difference.
"To win it like this is
incredible," City manager
Roberto Mancini said. "I have
never seen a final (day) like this."
Aguero sprinted bare chested
around the field swinging his
sky blue shirt above his head as
the fans at the Etihad Stadium
erupted with joy, the perennial
underachievers finally tasting
success. United beat Sunderland
1-0 through a goal by Wayne
Rooney but Red Devils fans
celebrating at the Stadium of
Light fell silent as news of
Aguero's goal reached them.
Players stood stunned,
staring blankly into space.
"It's a cruel way (to lose
the title)," United manager
Alex Ferguson said. "We've
experienced many ups and
downs in the 25 years I've been
here: most of them have been
great. We've won the title three
times on the last day and today
we nearly did it."
City clinched the third
league title of its 132-year
Manchester City team members celebrate after their win over Queens Park Rangers at The Etihad
Stadium in Manchester, England on Sunday. --Photo AP
history with 89 points and a
record identical to United's of
28 wins, five draws and five
losses.
The season, which with
1,066 goals was the highest
scoring in the Premier League's
20-year history, effectively
hinged on the two head-to-
head matches between City
and United. City won both, 6-1
and 1-0. Arsenal finished 19
points back in third place but
clinched Champions League
qualification for a 15th straight
season with a 3-2 win at West
Bromwich Albion, which needs
a new manager for next season
after Roy Hodgson's decision to
take over as England coach.
Tottenham was another
point back in fourth place
after Emmanuel Adebayor
and Jermain Defoe scored for
a 2-0 win over Fulham. Spurs
must wait until Saturday before
discovering whether they will be
in the qualifying rounds for next
season's Champions League. If
Chelsea beats Bayern Munich
in Saturday's Champions
League final, the Blues will
take England's fourth and final
spot, leaving Tottenham with
only a place in the second-tier
Europa League.
Newcastle finished in
fifth place after losing 3-1 at
Everton and Chelsea was sixth
— its lowest position since
2002 — despite a 2-1 win over
Blackburn. With Blackburn
and Wolverhampton Wanderers
already relegated, Bolton filled
the final relegation spot after a
2-2 draw at Stoke. QPR finished
a single point and a single place
above the relegation zone
despite its late defeat at City.
All 10 matches on the final
day of the nine-month season
began at the same time. City
was in first place at kickoff but
United went top when Rooney
headed in Phil Jones' 20th-
minute cross for his 27th goal
of the season — a tally beaten
only by Arsenal striker Robin
van Persie's 30.
The pendulum swung back
toward City 19 minutes later
when QPR goalkeeper Paddy
Kenny spilled Pablo Zabaleta's
shot onto the post and over the
line, leaving both Manchester
clubs 1-0 up at halftime.
Three minutes into the
second half, QPR striker Djibril
Cisse maintained his record of
either scoring or being sent off
in every game since joining the
club in January when he latched
onto a defensive mistake and
shot low past goalkeeper Joe
Hart — pushing City back down
into second place.
QPR was down to 10 men
moments later when Joey Barton
was sent off following an off-
the-ball incident that left Carlos
Tevez rolling on the ground. The
infamously volatile Barton was
enraged by referee Mike Dean's
decision to act on the advice of
his linesman, kicking Aguero
and trying to head butt Vincent
Kompany as he was dragged
from the field.
At Sunderland, Rooney hit
the bar with a free kick, missed
the target with a close-range
effort and hit the post in the final
minute but all his efforts were in
vain whether successful or not.
Although Jamie Mackie put
QPR ahead in the 66th with a
diving header, Dzeko atoned
for a glaring miss when he
headed David Silva’s corner past
Kenny.
Britain’s J. Brownlee
wins San Diego triathlon
SAN DIEGO (AP) --
Britain’s Jonathan Brownlee,
showing little rust from
seven months away from
competition, pulled away
on the run and captured the
ITU World Triathlon San
Diego on Saturday with a
time of 1 hour, 48, minutes
46 seconds.
Switzerland’s Sven
Riederer was second and
South Africa’s Richard
Murray third in the event
comprised of a 1,500-metre
swim, 40-kilometre bike and
10-kilometre run in 1:48:52.
Brownlee, who along
with his brother, Alistair, will
be favoured in the London
Games, broke away from
Murray in the second lap of
the 10k run and finished the
run in 30:01.
“We had to work really
hard on the bike,” Brownlee
said. “It was different not
having Alistair there because
there were less aggressive
people from the back. I found
myself and Kris Gemmell
(the 10th-place finisher from
New Zealand) doing a lot of
the work, but then on the run I
went hard on the second lap.”
Murray, who is the
overall leader in the world
championship series, finished
third in 1:49:02, just ahead of
Mario Mola of Spain, who
was clocked in 1:49:08.
“The Series leader has
been something I’ve wanted
to win for the past four or
five years. It’s definitely an
honour,” Murray said.
Hunter Kemper of the
United States finished fifth,
enough to get him into the US
Olympic team for London,
along with Manuel Huerta,
who just squeezed into ninth
— the last place that yielded a
spot on the Olympic team.
“This is my first race of
the year. I can’t believe it. I’m
over the moon,” Kemper said.
“It’s a tremendous day for
me. I didn’t know if I would
actually be back here. I went
through so much. It’s been a
struggle, but there’s no better
feeling than representing the
USA.
“Ultimately, you always
want to settle it on a race
course. You don’t want a
selection committee to decide
who’s going to the Olympic
Games. I did that today and so
did Manny.”
Huerta was thrilled with
making the US team, saying
“I never, never gave up on my
dream.”
“I battled through so many
downs and ups, like many
athletes, but I knew that today
it was special. I was racing in
my new country and I wanted
to make my dream come true.
For many young Hispanics
like me, who come to America
with that dream, they stick to
their dream and they never
give up.”

Vacancy Announcement
Maison Souvannaphoum Hotel by Angsana, a 25 room Boutique Hotel in
Luang Prabang, Laos,
Seeking qualified candidate (expatriate or local) for the position of:

Assistant Chief Engineer

Skills & Responsibilities:

• Good written and spoken command of Thai or Laotian and English.

• 3 years of related experience
• Able to control engineering team and manager day to day operation of
department
• Maintenance and rectification of facilities, equipment, conducting routine
• Detailed record keeping of all information in the form of records, logs
and journals
• Able to maintain a supply of inventory necessary for optimal operating
efficiency
• Working with purchasing and suppliers to ensure provision of
engineering supplies
• Development of energy conservation programs, monitoring utility costs
and consumption
• Ensures that safety and emergency procedures for guests and
employees meet or exceed the recognized industry standards and
conform to local legal regulations
• Preparation and control of hotel’s annual R&M budget with the
management
• Employee selection and training in compliance with existing
Management systems

Interested candidates with necessary qualifications please send your resume

with photo to Ms. Alichith Phengsavanh, HR Manager,
Email: alichith.phengsavanh@angsana.com
16
Tuesday May 15, 2012 Vientiane Times

Sport
Volleyball federation to host
annual competition
Sangkhomsay
Bubphanouvong

The Lao Volleyball Federation

will hold their annual national
volleyball competition in
Vientiane in October, and it
is hoped the tournament will
further the development of the
sport.
The federation will invite
volleyball clubs from Vientiane
and the provinces to compete
at the event.
National University of
Laos (NUOL) team trainer
Mr Inthaphone Chengsavang
said the tournament will offer
new players the opportunity to
compete at national level for
the first time, which will help
them to improve.
He said the volleyball
clubs in Vientiane have many
players with experience at the
national level but clubs from
the capital will only be able to
send three players with national
experience to compete at the
event. The rule was established
to even up the competition a
little, because currently many
teams from Vientiane would
completely outclass their
opponents from the provinces
if they were allowed to field
full strength teams.
Mr Inthaphone said the
rule would give the provincial
teams a sporting chance at
winning the tournament, as
Volleyball players compete at the National Games in Luang Prabang
province.
well as allow other players
from Vientiane to have a go at
top level competition for the
first time.
They Army team are still
the favourites though, and
look set to outgun a number of
their opponents. They are the
reigning national champions
after winning gold at the
National Games last December,
defeating the men’s team from
Vientiane in the final.
Mr Inthaphone said the
federation is currently looking
for a major sponsor to support
the annual event, and said they
hope to hold a national beach
volleyball tournament in the
same month if they can secure
enough support.
The national tournament
is an important part of
preparations for the 16th Asean
University Games, which will
be hosted by the NUOL in
December.
The men’s volleyball
team took the silver medal at
the 15th university games in
Thailand in 2010, and believes
the groundswell of support
on home soil will boost their
chances of winning gold this
time around.
The national men’s and
women’s volleyball teams are
scheduled to start training at
the National Stadium complex
in September. Mr Inthaphone
said their preparations would
be shorter than he would like,
but hopes the players can step
up to the mark.
 Business
Vientiane Times
Vientiane Times 17

Read more news at www.vientianetimes.org.la Tuesday May 15, 2012

SME development Tax officials urged to smooth

slow despite strong
economic growth
Times Reporters
Only about 50 percent of Lao
businesses are experiencing
increased profit margins
despite the country’s strong
economic growth, according
to a recent industry survey.
The Enterprise Survey
2011 shows that just over 50
percent of the 728 enterprises
in five major provinces
reported increasing profits
in 2011 thanks to growing
foreign investment and the
rapid growth of the Lao
economy over the past few
years.
The survey, which was
conducted by the Emerging
countries, large industries
need support from small and
medium enterprises to supply
them with raw materials and
services.
The Lao National
Chamber of Commerce and
Industry says there are a
number of potential business
opportunities in Laos due to
strong economic growth. One
of these is to provide electrical
equipment and construction
materials to the hydropower
and mining industries, with the
government approving a lot of
investment in the sector.
However, only a few
business operators consider
that the growing investment
import of raw materials
Times Reporters
The government has vowed
to ease procedures for the
import of raw materials, after
manufacturers made strong
complaints on the issue.
A government meeting on
private investment promotion
and management in Vientiane
last week approved a resolution
that businesses should seek
permission from planning
and investment officials to
import raw materials for use
in the manufacture of goods
destined for domestic and
foreign markets.
Once permission has been
obtained, the goods can be
imported and tax officials will
have no right to present any
obstacle after being shown the
permit, the resolution stated.
Prime Minister Thongsing
Thammavong was present
at the meeting to give moral
support to the officials
who would implement the
resolution.
Officials from the ministries
of Planning and Investment
and Finance and other agencies
approved the resolution on the
import of raw materials after
vociferous complaints from
business operators. Garment
manufacturers in particular said
it was a challenge to import the
raw materials they needed.
Secretary General of the
Lao National Chamber of
Commerce and Industry, Mr
Khanthavong Dalavong, said
garment factories had to pay 10
percent Value Added Tax, even
though the Law on Investment
Promotion allows businesses to
import raw materials tax free as
part of efforts to boost domestic
enterprise.
Tax officials said they had
to impose VAT on garment
factories, but pointed out that
businesses can obtain a refund
when they export processed
goods.
“The government has to
amend the Tax Law so that
it can enforce the Investment
Promotion Law,” he said in
an interview with Vientiane
Times during the meeting.
In many countries,
governments do not collect
VAT on imported goods, to
encourage the import of goods
for sale in the domestic market.
However, VAT is added to the
retail sale price of an item upon
purchase by a customer.
Laos cannot collect VAT
at the point of sale because
it would be difficult to check
whether the goods are sold to
customers, reprocessed or re-
exported.
Investment officials said
tax officials should cooperate
to make the import of raw
materials easier, adding this
would create confidence
among local and foreign
businesses about investing
and expanding in Laos.
They also said tax officials
should make sure that the
import of raw materials
complies with the approved
quota, to prevent businesses
from avoiding the payment of
import duties and VAT.

Gov’t issues resolution to help struggling firms

Markets Consulting group
with financial assistance and
support from the Lao Ministry
of Planning and Investment
and German Agency for
International Development
(GIZ), also shows that
just over 24 percent of the
enterprises surveyed said their
business profits remained
steady despite the growing
economy.
Of the remainder of the
businesses surveyed, one said
profits had fallen while the
rest of the respondents said
they had no idea whether they
made a profit, a loss, or their
income was stable.
According to a report from
the Ministry of Planning and
Investment, Lao GDP is on
track to reach US$70,600
billion kip (US$8.8 billion)
at the end of this fiscal year,
about an 8 percent increase
compared to the previous
fiscal year. Economic growth
in Laos is largely driven by
the resources sector, with
the mining and hydropower
industries predominant.
Economists said the
rapid economic growth was
supposed to create better
opportunities for small and
medium size enterprises
to expand but this has not
necessarily been the case.
They said that in many
and economic growth offer
sufficient opportunities to
expand.
The survey also highlights
that most of the businesses
interviewed have no plans in
place to improve their business
or train their staff to prepare
for increased competition
when Laos opens its market to
foreign countries in 2015.
Economist Dr Mana
Southichak said earlier this
month that Laos should
take serious action to boost
SME development otherwise
it will face serious social
problems including growing
unemployment in the coming
years.
He said large industries
alone cannot provide
enough jobs for the growing
population and Laos needs
more graduates who are
ready to leave the traditional
agriculture based economy.
Lao National Economic
Research Institution Director
General, Dr Liber Libouapao,
said education was key to
ensuring sustainable economic
growth.
The international com-
munity has urged Laos to invest
the money it receives from
the sale of natural resources
to improve education and
establish a knowledge based
economy.
HANOI, Vietnam (VNS) --
Prime Minister Nguyen Tan
Dung yesterday signed a new
resolution expected to help
ease the pressure on struggling
businesses through policies
such as extending payment
deadlines on VAT and income
tax, and making it easier for
businesses to access loans.
At the government cabinet
meeting earlier this month,
the government referred to the
resolution as a support package,
eliminating the idea that it was
a third “stimulus package”.
A six-month extension
for VAT payment for this
year's second quarter has been
granted for small-and-medium
businesses (excluding lottery, Workers process seafood for export at Minh Phu Seafood Corporation in the southern province of
stock, financial, banking, Ca Mau.
insurance, businesses and firms
under major corporations), The resolution also calls Ministry of Finance would also VND2,000 billion (US$95
and businesses that use high on the State Bank of Vietnam request the National Assembly million) in additional funds to
numbers of labourers in to implement resolutions for to consider exempting upgrade canals and improve
production and processing restructuring debts and other individuals and households rural roads, as well as other
necessary steps to support that provided housing and infrastructure projects that
of agriculture, aquaculture,
textiles, footwear, infrastructure businesses struggling to access meals for workers, students would boost agricultural
and electrical equipment. loans. The government has and labourers, in addition to production, aquaculture and
In addition, the government also decided to reduce land childcare facilities, from VAT, the development of trade
has also agreed a nine-month rental payments in 2012 by personal and business taxes in villages.
extension for business income 50 percent for businesses in 2012. According to statistics
tax backdated to 2011 for firms commerce and services, and The resolution also sets from the Ministry of Planning
classified in the above two allow a 12-month extension out appropriate resolutions and Investment, by April 20,
categories and those involved in for investors of projects that to increase the rate of at least 82,000 businesses had
mechanics, sea transportation, are in financial difficulties. reimbursement of FDI reportedly gone, 16,000 others
steel and cement production. According to the resolution, the and ODA, and mobilise had to halt operations.

Vientiane Times on CD-ROM

Issues of Vientiane Times from 2001 to April 2012 have been
recorded on CD-ROM. Now available at Vientiane Times office.
Corner Setthathirath/Pangkham Roads, Nam Phu,
Vientiane. P.O. Box: 5723,
Tel: (856-21) 216364, 217593. Fax: (856-21) 216365
Email: info@vientianetimes.org.la

Exchange rates as of May 14, 2012

Banque pour le Commerce Exterieur Lao

Foreign Currencies Buying Selling

US Dollar 50-100 7,991 8,030
Thai Baht 256.61 257.79

Euro 50-500 10,296 10,347

182
B Tuesday May 15, 2012 Vientiane Times

Greece continues to unsettle markets

European shares were called to open lower on Monday, with Greece looking almost certain
to be headed for fresh elections and Angela Merkel’s conservatives failed to win back power
in Germany’s most populous state on Sunday.

Dr Nattakit Tangpoonsinthana shakes hands with Mr Phaiboun Phongsavanh (fourth right) after
signing the agreement.

Lao bank, Thai shopping

centre ink credit card deal
PhonsavanhVongsay
Phongsavanh Bank has
entered into a cooperation
China: The People's Bank of China with RRR cut, freed up an estimated 400 billion Yuan agreement with Central Plaza
(US$63.5 billion) for lending. Friday’s data out of China showed a weakening economy - its Udon Thani to facilitate cross
slowest quarter of growth since the GFC. Industrial production growth slowed sharply last border credit card transactions
month and GDP growth faces the risk of going below 8 percent in Q2. for customers from Laos.
Currencies: The €uro has fallen from its highs from earlier this year but it has held up well A memorandum of
despite many negative headlines. understanding was signed at
the shopping centre in Udon
Thani province last Thursday
between Phongsavanh Bank
Limited (PSVB) and Central
Pattana Public Company
Limited (CPN), the owners of
Central Plaza Udon Thani.
“We are pleased that
Phongsavanh Bank has chosen
us as a business partner when
it comes to providing services
for customers using PSVB
credit cards at CPN’s Udon
Thani shopping plaza,” CPN
representative Dr Nattakit
Tangpoonsinthana said at the
signing ceremony.
Nymex 0il prices extended their slide. Prices for US crude have declined almost US$10, or “Working together will
about 9 percent, over the past six trading days, to US$96.81 a barrel. Since last Wednesday,
oil shed an additional 1.3 percent amid renewed concerns about Europe and the global
economy. US per gallon bowser prices are nearing US$3.755 a gallon or down 4.5 percent
from US$3.927 a month ago.
According to a forecast by Goldman-Sachs, the Vietnamese economy will become the 17th
largest in the world with nominal GDP of US$436 billion and nominal GDP per capita of
US$4,357 by 2025. In 2010, the nominal GDP reached US$104.6 billion, with nominal GDP
per capita of US$1,218.
present both parties with the
opportunity to be leading
service providers in the retail
industry and well known
among both Lao and Thai
people,” Dr Nattakit said.
The agreement would make
shopping at the plaza much
more convenient for Lao
customers, he added.
PSVB Deputy Managing
Director Mr Phaiboun
Phongsavanh said “Our bank
is ready to enter into long term
business cooperation with
CPN and we envisage our
cooperation growing in many
ways.”
“Initially, we will offer
the cross border credit card
payment facility at Central
Plaza Udon Thani and plan
to extend our cooperation to
other areas in the future.”
PSVB has nine banks for
business cooperation with other
countries, and two representative
offices in Hanoi, Vietnam, and
Bangkok, Thailand.
A cross border ATM
link was recently launched
between PSVB and the
Bangkok Bank and Processing
Centre Company Limited of
Thailand.
On average, it processes
between five and six thousand
transactions each day, and the
number of people using its
services is continuing to grow,
according to a recent report.
CPN is Thailand’s largest
retail developer, operating for
over 30 years in the industry.
It is currently managing 18
shopping centres, six office
buildings, one hotel and two
residential projects. Combined,
all of these projects have a
floor space of more than 2
million square metres.
Founded in 1980, CPN is a
leader in the retail development
and management sector. It has
the biggest share of Bangkok’s
retail market at 24 percent.

The ASEAN Trading Link is on track for a June 2012 launch. Bursa Malaysia and Singapore
Stock Market Exchange will be connected first with the Stock Exchange of Thailand added
in August 2012. Magnus Bocker, Chief Executive Officer, Singapore Exchange said "The
collaborative decision of the member Exchanges to roll out the ASEAN Trading Link will
mark our first key milestone towards breaking down the barriers to cross border trade in
ASEAN." ASEAN Exchanges is a collaboration of seven exchanges from Indonesia,
Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
Vientiane Times
In brief
Oil falls to near
US$95 amid China
growth concerns
SINGAPORE (AP) -- Oil
prices fell below US$96 a
barrel on Monday in Asia
amid investor concern
that China’s economy, the
world’s second-largest,
is slowing faster than
previously expected.
Benchmark oil was down
40 cents to US$95.73 a
barrel in electronic trading
on the New York Mercantile
Exchange. The contract
fell 95 cents to settle at
US$96.13 in New York on
Friday. Brent crude was
down 40 cents at US$111.86
per barrel in London.
Asian shares fall
after optimism
fizzles on China
TOKYO (AP) -- Asian
shares quickly lost early
gains and ended slightly
lower on Monday morning
as optimism over a move
by China’s central bank
to encourage lending
were offset by lingering
uncertainty about crisis-
struck Greece.
Japan’s Nikkei 225 index
ended morning trading
barely changed, down
marginally at 8,952.66,
erasing an initial surge
brought by the China news.
South Korea’s Kospi also
fell, down 0.6 percent at
1,904.74.
Efforts up to attract
Chinese tourists
JAPAN (The Yomiuri Shimbun)
-- Clothing stores, electronics
retailers and izakaya pub chains
in Tokyo are stepping up efforts
to attract middle-class Chinese
tourists, offering products and
menus at reasonable prices.
Previously, these business
operators focused on meeting
the demands of wealthy
Chinese visitors. They are now
targeting the Chinese middle
class, however, as an increasing
number of Chinese began
visiting this country after the
Japanese government relaxed
visa requirements for individual
Chinese tourists in September.
Casual clothing retailer
Gap Japan K.K. will open its
first Old Navy store, the firm’s
low-priced brand, in the Odaiba
district of Tokyo this summer.
As Odaiba is a popular
sightseeing spot for Chinese
tourists, the company expects
many Chinese shoppers to visit
the store. The Yurakucho branch
of electronics chain Bic Camera
Inc. increased the number of
low-priced products at an outlet
located next to the main store in
mid-February. Chinese tourists
usually come to the store after
visiting Ginza.
Previously, high-priced
products such as big-screen
TVs sold well among Chinese
customers. Recently, however,
lower-priced items, such as
beauty products for women and
electronic toothbrushes, have
increased in popularity, store
officials said.
Izakaya pub chains are
also heavily targeting Chinese
customers.
In November, the Yoronotaki
chain created a booklet called
the “izakaya rule book,” which
explains a variety of terms
used in an izakaya pub, such
as “otoshi” and “ippon-jime,”
alongside Chinese-language
menus.
Otoshi is an small appetiser
served as soon as a customer sits
down in a Japanese pub, while
ippon-jime is when everyone
claps their hands at a gathering.
The booklet was distributed
to five Yoronotaki outlets in
Ikebukuro and other areas where
a large number of Chinese
tourists stay overnight.
“We believe Chinese
visitors will definitely come to
visit reasonably priced izakaya
pubs,” said a Yoronotaki official,
explaining the company’s reason
for targeting Chinese tourists.
In the case of the Hokkaido
izakaya chain run by leading
restaurant operator Colowide
Co., sales to Chinese customers
account for about 30 percent of
the total volume at some outlets.
With this in mind, the company
will take into account popular
sightseeing routes among
Chinese tourists when deciding
where to open new restaurants.
In the wake of the Great East
Japan Earthquake, the number
of Chinese tourists dropped
significantly.
In September, however,
occupational requirements
for the issuance of individual
visas were removed for
Chinese visitors coming to
Japan. Initially, the individual
sightseeing visa was only issued
to high-income earners, such as
top government officials and
company executives.
Professor Michael Goldberg advises young entrepreneurs at the residence of US Ambassador Karen
Stewart.
Expert gives investment
advice to Lao entrepreneurs
Times Reporters
An American investor met
with young Lao entrepreneurs
and businesspeople at the US
Embassy in Vientiane last week,
giving them advice on how to
grow their business.
Mr Michael Goldberg’s visit
from May 9-11 was sponsored
by the US Embassy to Laos.
Mr Goldberg, an American
investor and professor of
entrepreneurial finance, is the
founder and manager of his
own venture capital fund, and
has been involved in many joint
venture partnerships in Asia.
He is currently teaching
entrepreneurship at the National
Economics University in Hanoi,
Vietnam, on a grant from
the US Fulbright exchange
programme.
During Mr Goldberg’s visit
to Vientiane, he gave several
presentations on various aspects
Tuesday May 15, 2012
of business development and
entrepreneurship. On the
morning of May 10, he delivered
a lecture at the American Corner
at Lao American College for
business administration students
entitled “Building Your Business
from Zero.”
Later that evening, he
was guest of honour at a
networking event for the Young
Entrepreneurs Association at
the home of US Ambassador
to Laos Karen B. Stewart,
sponsored by the financial
services company KPMG. This
event was attended by about
50 members of the Young
Entrepreneurs Association,
including Vice President Mr
Khamsen Sisavong.
On the morning of May
11, Mr Goldberg delivered a
presentation to members of
the Lao National Chamber of
Commerce and Industry on
methods entrepreneurs use to
B193
raise capital.
Mr Goldberg said he was
excited to come to Laos to
learn more about the business
climate in the country, and after
speaking with more than 150
people from the Lao business
community, he considers Laos
to have incredible potential for
entrepreneurs.
Mr Goldberg said Lao
entrepreneurs should consider
reaching out to the Lao
American community to provide
start-up capital, and also that
they should consider using new
“crowd-funding” websites to
find investors.
According to the Ministry
of Planning and Investment, the
volume of trade between Laos
and America has a good trend of
investment, which can see the
amount of trade from the two
countries increasing 31 percent
for the first six months during
the period from 2011-12.
20 4
B Tuesday May 15, 2012 Vientiane Times
Vientiane Times
Vientiane Times
Oudalee finds a suitable house for you to
live in Vientiane.
Traditional Lao house, house with swimming
pool, house on the river.
House with swimming pool available now.
Price range from Kip 3 000 000 and up.
Call Oudalee for free advice and pick up at
your convenient.
10 years experience guarantee.
Tel: 020 55 51 25 02 and 020 55 65 91 46
Email: oudalee@oudaleehomes.com
www.oudaleehomes.com
RentsBuy Co., Ltd is a leading professional
real estate company offering; house,
land, apartment, office, warehouse,
business for rent /for sale and property
valuation throughout Lao PDR.
020 77600059, 22229744, and
Office: 021 223032
www.RentsBuy.com email: rentsbuy@gmail.com
AB Apartment
Services: 2Bedrooms, 1Bedroom & Studio room
Features: Fully furnished apartment in Vientiane
with garden, A spacious parking, Air cond, Cable
TV, house keeping, 24 hours security surveillance,
washing machine and wireless connectivity.
Nearby: International community, diplomatic area &
minute drive from Patuxay Monument.
Ban Sibounheuang, Chanthabouly District,
Vientiane Capital Lao PDR
Mobile: +856-20-5551 2828 or +856-20-28184400
Phone: +856-21-263253 Fax: +856-21-222565
E-mail: abapart@gmail.com
www.abapartment.com
Maniraath gems and jewellery
Genuine diamond & setted
jewellery with 18k precious, semi precious and
Italian chains
talat sao mall #2-10 second floor
vientiane lao PDR, Tel: 021 285 051, mobile: 020 55676545, 020 55775544
Classified Tuesday May 15, 2012
21
+856 20 55599 430
Lao land company is one of the leading real
estate service agency based in Vientiane.
We are specialized in property service
sector, and proud to say your needs is our
answer.
For further inquiry, please feel free to
contact us at 020 5551 0155, 23666333, or
021 453 919.
030 981 9052, 020 23220022
English*French*Japanese * Chinese
Email:oad.laoland@gmail.com
www.laoland.com
 Bouakham
HOUSE RENTAL
Would you like to rent or buy property?
We can show you Land, Houses or Apartments in any
location. Call us!
P.O. Box 1940,Vientiane, Lao PDR
Tel: 020 5571 1396, 77959199
Available Hotel in the top of the mountion for sale in the center
of Luang Prabang Province.
House for rent with 4 room include swimming pool close to
International school and Germany embassy
New house for sale close to
Mekong river with 3 rooms, Sale now!
22401446 reasonable price.
(Not expensive)
99990803 (Sale now, not expensive)
We have great places
to rent and buy: Land,
Houses, Apartments,
Hotels, Resorts,
Guesthouses
Email: bouakham_nang@hotmail.com
www.bouakham-property.com
VPS
Car rental service
• We have many types of cars for rent new
model and old, sedan & 4 wheel such as:
MG.TOYOTA. NISSAN. KIA. HYUNDAI,
SMALL AND MIDDLE SEDAN FOR CITY
• AGL assurances Allianz Group
• Short term 1-7days & long 1-12 months
• Self drive or with driver
• Provide vehicle for Project & Private
• Affordable price and best service
• Office B. Thonkang, R. sokpalaung 15/279
• For English call Mr. Chanh
1,700,000 kip anytime
to 42,500,000 kip/month
• Tel: 020 55599900. 55593013,
office: 030 9800630
• Email: vpscarrental@yahoo.com
• www.vpscarrental.com
Chok Dee cafe
C.S TRANSPORT CO., LTD
“All transportation solution under one roof”
Service offered: Logistics, Transport,
Home Removal,Custom clearance for air
freight and sea freight.
Belgian
Contact Information: Ban Donkoy,
beers bar T4 Road, Sisattanak District
Vientiane, Lao P.D.R
“Moules-frites” Tel/Fax: +856- 021- 330154,
Mobile: +856- 020- 55506402
40 Belgian beers Email: chan@cstransportlao.com and www:
Tel: 020 56103434, www.chokdeecafe.com cstransportlao.com
Fagnum, Mekong riverside road infront of bus stop
222
C Classifieds Tuesday May 15, 2012 Vientiane Times

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

Tel: 021 260419/020 55878688/020 55509957

City Centre, Short & long term stay

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

Sale Agents for Lao Airline SERVICED APARTMENTS

Thai Airways, Vietnam Airlines
& World Wide Air-Tickets service
Tel: 900241-242-243
New Tel: 454034-36
Fax: (856-21) 900244
Mobile: 856-20 5515870, 5503979
Email: laoairservice1@etllao.com
laoairservice2@etllao.com
Spacious & tastefully decorated
Fully furnished 1 & 2 bedroom
Air-conditioning, Cable TV, Swimming pool,
Garden, Housekeeping, Laundry
MP: 020 55505840, 020 55023782 * Urgent Recruitment *
Email: lao.heritage@gmail.com 1. Human Resources 2. General Marketing
3. Logistic Officer 4. Graphics design
5. Store Manager 6. Programmer
HOTEL LAO 7. IT Hardware
9. Electrician
8. IT Software

All Positions Requires

Lao Air Service Co.Ltd *Value *Comfort *Service • 20-35 years Old,
In the heart of Vientiane • Bachelor or Master degree
1st Floor K.P Tower • At least five years of consume good company experience
Ideal for business or tourist
Thatluang Rd (Opposite of Min. foreign 43/7 Hengboun Road,Vientiane • Ability of using Microsoft words, excel, access, Microsoft project.
• Good command of spoken and written English, if know Lao Languages will specialist consider
affairs) Tel: (856 21) 219280-1, Fax: (856 21) 219282 Interested candidates are requested to submit an application letter together with CV and relevant documentation to:
Vientiane Lao P.D.R Email: hotellao.vientiane@gmail.com M – POINT MART HEAD OFFICE
Luangprabang Road, Building No. 006-GB/01Ban Sihom P.O.Box: 9096 Vientiane Lao PDR
Phone: 856-21 250857 Fax: 856- 21 215788 E-mail: Info@mpointmart.com
Web: www.mpointmart.com

House for Rent

At Ban Saylom in city A unique French language magazine
centre,
The building has 3 floors: Le Rénovateur is a weekly magazine of general information written in French
and discussing current events in Laos. Readers will find it different from other
4 bedrooms with Air-
newspapers and can enjoy news about culture, consult their horoscope and find
condition, out about radio and TV programmes, as well as check on current movies at the
3 bath rooms, 1 kitchen French Language Centre.
room and some furniture. There are also cookery items as well as personal profiles. The magazine costs
only 10,000 kip per issue, and is published every Monday. You can buy it at
Call: 020 55608444 or
kiosks or directly from our office on Namphu Square at the Lao Press in Foreign
Email: kapookni@yahoo.com Languages on Pangkham Street in Vientiane. You can also read it on our website:
Lerenovateur.org.la

Rashmi Jewellers
Dealing in Diamonds, Precious and Semi-precious
Gems and Jewellery, Set in 14/18 Kt Gold
Among cut, clarity and colour,
the cut plays a critical role in expressing the brilliance
and fire in a diamond.
It is the quality of the cut which releases the beauty
of
the diamond to your eyes. The ideal cut ensures a
bright
and lively diamond forever.
It’s the moment when you look
deep within yourself; the moment when you feel
you can be everything you want to be;
the moment when you set yourself free from life’s
definitions.
It’s the moment when you realise you want just to be
you…

Rashmi Diamond Jewellery

Reflects your inner fire.

316, Samsenthai Road,

[Opposite Lao Plaza Hotel]
Tel #: [856-21] 251513,252790 Fax #: [856-21] 243791
Mob #: [856-20] 2212021, 5513101
Email: rashmi_enterprises2001@yahoo.com
Vientiane Times Tuesday May 15, 2012 Classifieds C233
244
C Classifieds Tuesday May 15, 2012 Vientiane Times

BIRLA LAO PULP & PLANTATIONS COMPANY LIMITED

A US$ 35 billion corporation, the Aditya Birla Group is in the League of Fortune 500. It is anchored by
an extraordinary force of 130,600 employees, belonging to 40 different nationalities. In the year 2009,
the Group was ranked among the top six great places for leaders in the Asia-Pacific region, in a study
conducted by Hewitt Associates, RBL Group and Fortune magazine. In India, the Group has been
adjudged the best employer in India and among the top 20 in Asia by the Hewitt-Economic Times and
Wall Street Journal Study 2007.
Over 60 per cent of the Group's revenues flow from its overseas operations. The Group operates in 27
countries – Australia, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Brazil, Canada, China, Egypt, France, Germany, Hungary,
India, Indonesia, Italy, Korea, Laos, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka,
Switzerland, Thailand, UAE, UK, USA and Vietnam.
The Group’s initiative to achieve complete backward integration for its VSF business resulted in the
setting up of Birla Lao Pulp & Plantations project in 2006 with an investment of US $350 million. The
Government of Laos has approved 50,000 hectares of land to raise pulp wood species (mainly eucalyptus)
and construction of a pulp plant.

Job Vacancy
Position : Manager - Community Relations & Development
Location : Savannakhet.
Age : 35+ years
Qualification : Bachelor / Master Degree.
Experience : 10 + years (Relevant)
Expertise : Corporate Social Responsibility activities, CRD, etc
Responsibilities:
• Coordinate with community and maintain community relations around company’s activity areas, help to
uplift their standards of life initiating new livelihood ideas, Develop goodwill and support of the community
and government necessary for executing a socially and environmentally sensitive project.
• Leading and managing community relations team in an ethnically diverse community.
• Managing community impacts in compliance with legal and other obligations to the government using
best practice management systems and standards
• Liaison with Village heads and Villagers
• Identify their needs and suggest suitable CRD activities
• Propose CRD programs to the Management for approvals.
• Involve the Govt Authorities before initiating CRD initiatives in the communities.
• Identify and encourage farmers to participate in farm forestry initiatives.
• Seek permission from Provincial, District and Local authorities for conducting CRD initiative
• Communicate to target villages for intending programs and effective participations.
• Develop partnership with other agencies
• Track and control expenses within approved limits.
• Participate & sponsor community activities viz. cultural programs, Schools, tournaments, festivals,
ceremony etc.
• Encourage local populations/villagers for active participation in CRD activities
• Study of existing livelihood practices
• Plan and implement suitable sustainable livelihood programs viz. fish farming, pig farming, inter
cropping and charcoal making, self-help groups.
• Continuously seek feedback for further improvement.
• Publicize & replicate the successful project in other areas
• Support the primary schools and improving infrastructure viz. benches and desks, black boards, play
material, teaching aids etc.

To be successful in this position you must possess:

• Suitable qualifications in Business, Communication, Community Development.
• High level knowledge of all aspects of Community Relations in remote and cross-cultural
environments
• A high level of experience, both hands on and as a manager, of all aspects of community relations and
community development Superior knowledge of external (government, authorities, local government)
factors affecting planning and implementation of corporate community relations
• A superior understanding of the challenges in reconciling and aligning CR effort with commercial
business and operational plans
• Leadership and management experience in business support roles in large-medium companies
• Excellent communication skills at all levels of business and society
• An ability to think strategically.
Desired Candidate Profile: Good business and strategic acumen. Good negotiation skills. Good Team
Player. We are looking for candidates from Manufacturing, Any NGO and Process industry.

Call for more details or / and send your resume to :

Contact: Songbandith, Officer-HR. Email: songbandith.k@adityabirla.com
Contact no:020 99710192. HR Dept: blpp-svn.hr@adityabirla.com
Correspondence Address:
BIRLA LAO PULP & PLANTATIONS COMPANY LTD.
Unit-14, N0.364, Ban Nalao, Santiphab Avenue
Kaisonephomvihan District Savannakhet Province, Lao PDR

Elephant Village establishes a unique relationship to improve Elephant Health

Care

Elephant Village, who has been the first elephant camp in Northern Laos with a
full time clinic for its elephants, has successfully established a relationship with
the elephant experts at the National Elephant Institute in Lampang, Northern
Thailand. The National Elephant Institute great knowledge ranges through
all levels of elephant care from sophisticated modern veterinary medicine to
timeless traditional knowledge, including classic mahout skills, herbal medicine,
and more.
In addition to having on-call professional Thai veterinarians available to us, our
relationship includes an agreement to send a veterinarian to our camp every 90
days to perform full checkups of all of our elephants. Elephant Village also
generously offers to pay 30 % travel costs to send a veterinarian to see any wild
or logging elephant in need in and around Luang Prabang. Not just our own.

For more details, check out our new videos at: http://vimeo.com/35230976
Or at: www.elephantvillage-laos.com or www.shangri-lao.com