VIENTIANE (Vientiane Times/Asia News Network): The opening of the Laos-China Railway, Thanaleng Dry Port and Vientiane Logistics Park will create a strong foundation for economic recovery in 2022, the head of government has said.
Prime Minister Phankham Viphavanh (pic) told an open government meeting on Thursday (Dec 23) that the government is working very hard to address financial difficulties to prevent Laos from being dragged into an economic crisis.
The meeting is taking place on Dec 23-24 in both online and offline platforms and is attended by Cabinet members, the Mayor of Vientiane, provincial governors, and representatives of state agencies.
Despite the challenges posed by the Covid-19 outbreak, the government is opening up Laos to tourists from 17 countries starting on Jan 1. The move should enable the country to revitalise the tourism and service sectors, which have been hit hard by the pandemic.
Three main issues are tabled for discussion at the open meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Phankham Viphavanh.
First on the agenda are the highlights of the government’s performance and its accomplishments in 2021 and the plan for 2022, along with the progress made in implementing the two national agendas to address economic and financial difficulties, enforcement of measures to contain the Covid-19 outbreak, and preparations for the return of foreign tourists next month.
Second on the agenda are matters relating to the Prime Ministerial decree on the implementation of the national socio-economic development and budget plans for 2022.
The last item concerns plans for the rollout of the “patriotism-for-development” programme and the Three Builds directive in the near future.
Despite the measures imposed to flatten the Covid infection curve, the number of new cases remains high and the government is struggling to contain the spread of locally-transmitted cases. However, more people are coming to terms with the changes that need to be made and are adjusting to the New Normal.
The government has pledged to expedite the vaccination programme in order to boost the population’s immunity to Covid and to create a strong foundation for the opening up of Laos to vaccinated foreign visitors next month.
The government holds an open meeting every year to allow Cabinet members and provincial governors to discuss ways to further boost socio-economic development and alleviate poverty nationwide.
Prime Minister Phankham urged the sectors concerned to focus on fulfilling the two agendas to tackle economic and financial difficulties and drug trafficking.
Success in implementing these agendas will help Laos overcome challenges and create favourable conditions for attracting more trade, investment and tourism, as well as further integrating with the rest of the region and the world.
