President praises progress in northern provinces

President Choummaly Sayasone and his delegation have visited the northern provinces of Xayaboury and Luang Prabang to foster socio-economic growth in those provinces.

Mr Choummaly, Standing Deputy Prime Minister Somsavat Lengsavad and other high-ranking officials visited Xayaboury province from March 9-11.

The delegation was warmly welcomed by the Party Committee and provincial and district authorities.

The tour began in the Meuangpa-faliep village development group in Paklai district, then moved on to the Thongkab village development group in Xienghon district, as well as Hongsa district.

During each stop, Mr Choummaly heard a report on the area's socio-economic development, particularly the implementations of the 8 th Party Congress and Directive Order No 9 of the Politburo on village development groups and the delivery of core officials in provinces and districts to work at the village group level.

The reports also included details on basic infrastructure development, poverty alleviation and methods to encourage people to cease slash and burn cultivation.

President Choummaly praised the achievements of development and security work, particularly in the villages and village development groups and the establishment of merged small towns.

Also, he noted that people's living standards were improving as well as village medical facilities and dispensaries.

He emphasised that the Party Committee and authorities in each province and district should pay more attention to supervision, particularly of the village and village development groups, and that they should utilise the existing potential.

On March 11, the delegation travelled to Luang Prabang province where it was welcomed by the provincial governor, Mr Bounheuang Douangphachanh, and high-ranking officials.

During the visit, Mr Bounheuang reported on the socio-economic progress of the province. He stated that the development environment this year had improved over previous years.

In the first five months of the fiscal year, income collection from the issuing of visas at Luang Prabang international airport reached 5,661 million kip or a 96 percent increase on the same period last year.

In addition, many factories have been established in the province to produce dried crops for export, such as sweetcorn and job's tear. An orange juice factory has also recently begun operations.

The province was able to cut the amount of land under slash and burn cultivation from 16,400 hectares in 2006 to 9,805 hectares presently, because farmers were starting to grow crops on a commercial basis.

By vientiane times
(Latest Update March 14, 2008)