Top Story: Lao Government to Strengthen Intellectual Property Regulation
LOOKING AHEAD:
- Invitation: Members Briefing with The Honorable Daniel A. Clune, Ambassador of the U.S. to the Lao PDR, Friday, August 9, 2013, 2:00 - 3:00PM. Ambassador Clune has agreed to meet with the Council members prior to leaving for post (US Embassy in Vientiane). For more information, please contact Wanlapa "Fon" Komkai at fwanlapa@usasean.org or (202) 416-6706.
- Laos is working hard to implement the National Governance and Public Administration Reform (GPAR) programme which aims to strengthen the rule of law in the country. The GPAR programme aims to strengthen human resource development and improve governance and management systems.
- The Director-General of the Ministry of Science and Technology's Department of Intellectual Property, Mr Sitha Phouyavong, spoke at the Lao Consultation Forum on Accession to the Madrid Protocol. In his speech, Mr Phouyavong noted that Laos would need to overhaul its intellectual property administration in preparation for Laos’ participation in the Madrid Protocol system by 2015.
Economics
Asean countries join forces to boost vocational education programmes | The Nation, Aug 5
Three ASEAN countries including Thailand have embarked on a plan to develop a vocational-education programme that will prepare graduates for work in any of their territories. "Their degrees and skills will be officially recognised in Thailand, Laos and Vietnam alike," Office of Vocational Education Commission secretary-general Dr Chaiprug Sereerak said during a recent trip to Laos. He said the three countries have shared very similar problems when it comes to vocational education. For example, vocational training is not popular among youths. They also lack adequate teaching staff and modern equipment. Moreover, most - if not all - of their brightest students prefer to enter general-education programmes.
Ten companies interested in new Phongsaly capital | Vientiane Times, Aug 2
Ten Lao companies that share holdings with foreign companies have proposed to invest in the development of basic infrastructure for the new provincial capital of Phongsaly, which will be moved to Bounneua district. The project was approved for implementation by the government in 2009 after the provincial authorities originally hatched the plan more than 20 years ago. The existing provincial capital is constrained by mountainous geography and a lack of water for irrigation and industry, and will therefore be relocated.
Full land rights policy expected | Vientiane Times, Aug 1
Law and policy makers have recommended full recognition and ownership over land use rights for people who inherited lands from their parents over generations, even though they have no land titles. The recognition matter was debated at the fifth ordinary session of the National Assembly's (NA) seventh legislature, which closed on Friday when the law makers shared ideas to develop the draft National Land Policy.
Govt reviews public administration reform progress | Vientiane Times, July 30
Laos is working hard to implement the National Governance and Public Administration Reform (GPAR) programme which aims to strengthen the rule of law in the country. Deputy Prime Minister Asang Laoly yesterday heard its progress report and made recommendations based on work from the last six months of the year. The GPAR programme aims to strengthen human resource development and improve governance and management systems. Speaking at the meeting, Mr Asang said two programme frameworks have been developed properly and work is moving along well within the responsible committees.
Krungsri Auto confident of success in Laos | The Nation, July 29
Move aimed as a first stage for expanding its Asean business model under the AEC
Ayudhya Capital Auto Lease, better known as Krungsri Auto, believes it will enjoy a healthy profit margin from its expansion into Laos by the end of this year despite the country's small population. Managing director Pairote Cheunkrut said the operation in Laos would provide good lessons for the company that it could apply elsewhere in Asean. "The small population in Laos is not a problem for offering auto loans. Laos is the first stage of Krungsri Group's ASEAN business model. We should use trial and error to learn how we can adjust our plans when the ASEAN Economic Community is fully realised," he said.
Lao parliament approves US$27m to fight poverty | ANN, July 29
The National Assembly of Laos approved 217 billion kip (US$27 million) for rural development and poverty alleviation next fiscal year to stimulate the government's efforts to achieve the targets set. Lao parliament approved the funds at the fifth ordinary session of its seventh legislature, which closed on Friday when it adopted the next fiscal year's socio-economic development and budget plans.
Health & Life Sciences
Rate of HBV vaccination at birth in Laos needs more improvement | Healio, July 31
The median hepatitis B vaccine coverage at facility-based births was 74% in Laos, where hepatitis B virus is highly endemic, according to data published in Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. From December 2011 to February 2012, the Laos Ministry of Health and WHO staff members evaluated coverage at 37 health facilities. At 18 of the facilities, the HBV vaccine was not in stock. Among the 17 facilities that assisted with home births, seven included the vaccination in the services. Twenty-three facilities conducted postnatal visits, and only 15 of these provided the vaccine in the visit.
ICT
Lao government to strengthen intellectual property regulation | Lexology, July 29
On 27 May 2013, the Director-General of the Ministry of Science and Technology's Department of Intellectual Property, Mr Sitha Phouyavong, spoke at the Lao Consultation Forum on Accession to the Madrid Protocol. In his speech, Mr Phouyavong noted that Laos would need to overhaul its intellectual property administration in preparation for Laos’ participation in the Madrid Protocol system by 2015. It is necessary to protect intellectual property by law to encourage inventiveness and creativity, and to combat intellectual property rights infringement and illegal business practices. This is one of the issues the Lao Government will have to tackle in addressing its poverty reduction plans by the year 2020.
Manufacturing
RP, Laos ready to plug into electric vehicles | The Nation, Aug 2
The Philippines and Laos are keen to introduce electric vehicles and make EV production their key industry in the future, a development that may benefit auto-makers from Japan. Japanese carmakers, world leaders in EV technology, see potentially profitable business opportunities in the Southeast Asian EV market. In Laos, which has abundant hydroelectric power, electricity charges are half of those in Thailand. The Laos government is implementing a project to convert 40 per cent of the nation's motorcycles, tricycles and four-wheel vehicles into EVs by 2020 with the cooperation of the Japan International Cooperation Agency. Laos aims to reduce its dependence on imported fuels such as gasoline by making EVs the mainstream vehicles in the future, when automobiles are expected to proliferate.
Foreign Affairs
Abe to visit Laos, Cambodia possibly mid-Oct. | Global Post, Aug 4
Prime Minster Shinzo Abe has decided to visit Laos and Cambodia possibly mid-October, a government source said Sunday. The premier is set to visit Brunei in early October to attend a summit meeting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, the source added. With a trip to the three countries, Abe would have visited all ASEAN nations since coming to power last December.