Government
National government
Media report of $10B debt incorrect: government
The government sought to set the record straight on December 22 after local media outlets erroneously reported that the Kingdom’s public debt had reached $10 billion at the end of 2015. Without naming which media outlets had published the skewed figure, which was shared widely on ...
PM outlines measures to drive growth, curb spending
Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith on December 20 instructed authorities to ensure the macro-economy was stabilised along with improving the investment climate as key factors to attract investment and drive growth. The premier gave the advice during a two-day meeting that ended yesterday. The meeting was convened ...
Vietnam, Cambodia want to consolidate ties: PMs
Top government leaders of Vietnam and Cambodia have expressed wishes to cement and develop bilateral ties in the spirit of “good neighbourliness, traditional friendship, all-faceted and long-lasting cooperation”. During talks with Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc in Hanoi on December 20, Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech ...
Govt fights corruption, vows to cut excess
The government has instructed its anti-corruption body to work out necessary measures and carry out inspection to fight against corruption in all forms. The instruction was made at the two-day meeting between the government cabinet, Vientiane Mayor and provincial governors that concluded on December 14 in ...
PM pushes ministry on governance, administration
Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith has called on the Ministry of Home Affairs to adhere to scientific ways in the development of governance and administration, with their strong roots developed from an early stage. Mr Thongloun made the call on December 7 in his address at the ...
CPP passes 2017 budget
The 2017 national budget, with more than $5 billion in expenditures, was passed by the Senate on December 5 without any changes despite opposition from the CNRP. Expenditures in the 2017 budget are up 15.6 percent compared with 2016 and include more than $1 billion in foreign ...
Talented graduates in Da Nang don’t want to work for state agencies
While many university trainees refuse to return to Da Nang after finishing courses overseas, others have returned as promised, but then expect to leave again. Under Project 922 initiated by the Da Nang authorities 10 years ago, excellent researchers and university lecturers are sent to overseas ...
Thailand's crown prince becomes country's new king
Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn, 64, became Thailand’s new king on December 1 after he accepted an invitation from parliament to succeed his father, King Bhumibol Adulyadej, who died in October. King Bhumibol, 88, was widely loved and regarded as a pillar of stability during decades of ...
Tea touted as solution to budgetary woes
As the government has found itself without enough cash to complete development projects scheduled in the current fiscal year, one cabinet member has aired an unusual proposal for financing the shortfall: tea money. Speaking in parliament on December 1, the minister for agriculture, livestock and ...
Parliamentary commission advises overhaul of national land use policy
The National Land Use Policy is in line for redress, after being highlighted by a parliamentary commission charged with targeting legislation for reform. In its current form, the policy only covers farmland – something the Commission for the Assessment of Legal Affairs and Special Issues ...