VIENTIANE: A major Australian investment in berry farming and the launch of the nation’s first digital census have headlined a high-level mission to southern Laos by the Australian Ambassador, Megan Jones.
The visit, which took place from Dec 14-19, saw the Ambassador travel through Savannakhet, Champasak, Xekong and Salavan provinces to reaffirm Australia’s commitment to the newly elevated Laos-Australia Comprehensive Partnership, according to the press release from the Australian Embassy to Laos.
In Champasak, a primary focus of the mission was the Costa Blueberry Farm, where Costa Group—Australia’s largest horticultural company—is set to invest AUD100 million over the next five years.
The initiative is expected to create approximately 2,000 jobs for local residents and significantly enhance the export competitiveness of Laos through agricultural modernisation.
Accompanied by the Minister of Finance, Santiphab Phomvihane, the Ambassador also visited three villages in Champasak to monitor implementation of the 5th Population and Housing Census.
Australia has provided AUD5.45 million to support this digital milestone, which Ambassador Jones described as the “foundation for informed policy decisions and evidence-based planning”.
The journey began in Savannakhet, where the delegation visited Na Deua Primary School to observe the impact of the Basic Education Quality and Access in Laos (BEQUAL) programme.
Reports from the visit indicated that teachers receiving Australia-supported training in inclusive strategies and Spoken Lao have achieved measurably better literacy outcomes for their students.
The thread of cooperation continued into Xekong and Salavan provinces, where the Ambassador held talks with provincial leaders to discuss local development challenges.
In Xekong, the mission marked the 35th anniversary of the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) in Laos and provided essential medical equipment to the Xekong Provincial Hospital.
Closing the tour in Salavan, the Ambassador visited a Community-Based School Readiness Programme, highlighting Australia’s partnership with the Ministry of Education and Sports and Unicef to ensure children are prepared for primary education.
The mission underscores the broadening scope of the Laos-Australia Comprehensive Partnership, focusing on inclusive development, good governance, and the strengthening of national systems across southern Laos. - Vientiane Times/ANN
