Laos, Thailand cooperate in power project

Thai Minister of Foreign Affairs Noppadon Pattama made a brief visit to Laos yesterday to sign a Memorandum of Understand-ing on cooperation with Laos in an electricity development project.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr Thongloun Sisoulith and Mr Noppadon signed the MoU in Vientiane on Tuesday.
The two nations agreed to allow a private firm to conduct the feasibility study of a proposed project in Koum village, Champassak province, Laos , located on the Mekong River opposite Khong Chiam district in Ubon Ratchathani province, Thailand .
According to the MoU, the private firm will use its own resources to cover the cost of the study and has to submit its findings to the two governments for further consideration in accor dance with the laws of the two nations.
The Lao and Thai governments would not have to use any of their own funds for the project, according to a press release from the Press Department of the Lao Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Mr Noppadon received a warm welcome from Dr Thongloun and Lao officials. During their talks, Dr Thongloun expressed his appreciation of the visit by the Thai Minister of Foreign Affairs, which he said reflected the fruitful relations and cooperation between the neighbouring countries.
Dr Thongloun also informed his guest about preparations for the Greater Mekong Sub-region (GMS) Summit , to be held in Vientiane from March 30-31.
Mr Noppadon expressed his thanks for the warm welcome by Dr Thongloun and Lao officials. He also expressed his appreciation of the progression of the GMS preparations.
Mr Noppadon left Laos yesterday after the signing ceremony.

By Ekaphone Phouthonesy(Latest Update March 26, 2008)

http://www.vientianetimes.org.la/Previous_073/FreeContent/FreeContent_Laos.htm

DPM visits Nam Theun II hydropower project to boost environmental affairs

Domestic news

DPM visits Nam Theun II hydropower project to boost environmental affairs

(KPL) Mr. Asang Laoly, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the National Steering Committee on Environment and his delegation visited from 13-14 March the central province of Khammouane.
Mr. Asang and his delegation was warmly welcomed by Mr. Khambai Damlath, Governor of Khammuane province who also briefed Mr. Asang and his delegation about the environmental affairs in the province, especially in the Nam Theun I and II hydropower construction project.
Mr. Khambai also informed Mr. Asang delegation about the land allocation in Nakai district, the progress of the new resettlement for 14 families and the infrastructure building at the resettlement areas.
Mr. Asang Laoly and his delegation also visited Nam Theun II hydropower construction project to monitor the environmental management activities.

China to build Laos hydropower plant

Commodity Online
VIENTIANE: China and its tiny southern neighbor Laos on Saturday signed a Memorandum of Understanding to build a hydropower plant in Laos’s Pakngum district.

China National Electronics Import-Export Corporation will build the Nam Ngum downstream hydropower project near the Laos capital Vientiane.

Laos Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment, Thongmy Phommyxay and chairman of the China Company Cong Ya Dong signed the agreement representing both the sides.

The Chinese company will conduct a survey and feasibility study on the development of the Nam Ngum downstream hydropower project for 18 months. In the case, that the project is economic and friendly to environment and society the project will be constructed and operated for 30 years.

Laos, Japan join forces to protect the environment

Officials from the Embassy of Japan, in collaboration with the Japan Alumni of Laos and the Lao-Japan Human Resource Cooperation Centre (LJHRC) on Wednesday committed themselves to the protection of the environment.

The Lao-Japan Friendship Workshop on Environmental Cooperation was organised by the LJHRC centre at the National University of Laos.

A seminar entitled ‘Working together to protect the environment' aimed to promote mutual understanding and cooperation in environmental protection between Laos and Japan .

During the seminar officials from both countries shared ideas and presentations about water resources and deforestation in Laos .

The Lao government has given importance to environmental research and protection, said the seminar's chairman, Associate Prof Dr Saykhong Saynasine.

Dr Saykhong hoped that all participants, particularly students at the National University of Laos, would gain useful information for their studies and develop greater understanding between the people of Laos and Japan .

During the seminar former Lao students who had graduated from Japanese universities and Japanese environmental experts discussed environmental conditions and problems in Laos , said the Japanese Ambassador to Laos , Mr Masaaki Miyashita.

“In this, the 21 st century, many countries have to give priority to protecting the environment. In Laos many sectors are contributing to researching environmental problems and solutions,” Mr Miyashita said.

Laos is classified as having the most abundant water resources per capita in the Asean bloc. Around 80 percent of the country's territory lies within the Mekong River basin , said an official from the Water Resources and Environment Authority, Mr Souphasay Komany. He added that the remaining 20 percent of rivers drain through Vietnam directly to the South China Sea .

By Meuangkham Noradeth
(Latest Update February 29, 2008)