PM urges development of enterprises in Naxaithong

Prime Minister Bouasone Bouphavanh yesterday urged Naxaithong district authorities to focus on promoting and encouraging small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the area.

Prime Minister Bouasone Bouphavanh ( third right ) looks at sweetcorn to be processed for animal feed in Saendin village.

The advice was given following a visit aimed at fostering economic development in the district. Mr Bouasone said the expansion of SMEs fit perfectly with the country's development plans because it did not require large amounts of investment or a highly qualified workforce.

“Labourers don't need to have high levels of education. If they receive adequate training they can run SMEs, so the development of this form of business suits labour conditions in our country,” Mr Bouasone said.

He said it would help address unemployment if SMEs producing handicrafts, pottery and carvings were provided with opportunities to expand. This would be particularly beneficial for the high number of unemployed lower and upper secondary school graduates who did not enter higher education.

Officials are advised to streamline the process for appraising and issuing investment proposals and permits submitted by SME owners.

Once proposals are endorsed and businesses start operations, officials are required to follow up and assist in overcoming challenges to help businesses to develop and expand, Mr Bouasone said.

“When SMEs initially open for business and are not making a profit, officials should not immediately start collecting taxes and customs fees from them,” he said.

“We have to provide opportunities for SMEs to develop and to expand the national economy.”

He added that SMEs were a starting point for the development of modern industries because these businesses often processed agricultural goods and natural resources through the use of local knowledge.

In the education sector, Mr Bouasone urged officials to use investments from private sector sources to establish schools, particularly polytechnic and vocational schools, while indicating the Ministry of Education was obliged to provide a good investme nt climate.

He said polytechnic and vocational schools would assist in ensuring workers had more technical skills in the future, in sectors such as carpentry and construction.

“If we want Lao people to have better living conditions, we need to provide them with the opportunity to obtain knowledge and skills so they can generate higher incomes,” Mr Bouasone said.

The Prime Minister also urged officials to continue education programmes and solidarity building among multiethnic communities in the district.

Mr Bouasone recommended authorities keep the district safe and secure to create confidence amongst investors and residents and facilitate the development process.

To achieve these goals the cooperation of all residents in the district is required, he said.

Mr Bouasone praised the achievements made over the past year after hearing a report on socio-economic development delivered by the District Governor.

The district is able to produce an annual average of 651kg of rice per capita, which is double the national consumption figure. All school-aged children in the district are enrolled in educational institutions.

He also praised officials for their achievements in strengthening the district branch of the national Party, and comprehensively improving all sectors in the area.

Mr Bouasone, on behalf of the Politburo and government, extended his congratulations to district authorities for the hard work that had resulted in these accomplishments.

Mr Bouasone and his delegation, including Vientiane Mayor Dr Sinlavong Khoutphaythoune, also visited production centres in Houaynamyen and Saendin villages and Namhoum reservoir.

By Souksakhone Vaenkeo
(Latest Update May 07, 2008)