Govt seeks ways to buffer impact of global slump

The government has highlighted the issues causing significant adverse impacts on the economy, ranging from the Covid-19 pandemic to global changes and other undesirable events.
At the cabinet’s monthly meeting held in Vientiane on September 17-18, authorities were urged to strictly implement measures and closely monitor people entering Laos to prevent a second wave of the coronavirus.
Chaired by Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith, the meeting instructed the sectors responsible to strengthen cooperation and focus on border control to prevent the illegal entry of foreign nationals.
Everyone entering Laos must comply with all the containment and preventive measures, including temperature checks and a 14-day quarantine period, as

the pandemic continues in the region and the rest of the world. Authorities were also instructed to analyse the possible impacts of the global economic slump on Laos and draw up appropriate policies and measures in response to the situation.
Government bodies were advised to take a stronger stance against the rising incidence of road accidents and social misconduct, while the media were asked to respond to groundless reports to ensure that accurate information is published.
The Ministry of Energy and Mines was directed to collaborate with the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism and other bodies to clarify issues of public concern, particularly the ways in which Electricite du Laos is attempting to address their challenges.
The cabinet meeting also adopted a report intended to be used as a legal document to push for greater revenue collection throughout the rest of the year. The Ministry of Finance was asked to work with provincial authorities to fulfil the revenue collection target for 2020, as approved by the National Assembly.
The finance ministry was advised to ensure the full collection of revenue from land taxes, lease-concession investment projects, and business units.
The authorities concerned were instructed to collect concession fees from mining operations, as well as electricity royalty fees that have not been paid previously to the government, while encouraging state organisations that earned income from their services to operate in a way that is financially self-sufficient.
Meeting participants debated a draft report on the socio-economic development plan for the rest of this year and next year.
The Ministry of Planning and Investment was advised to work with the Ministry of Finance and other sectors to summarise the 9-month socio-economic development report and plan for the last quarter of the year.
Cabinet members also agreed in principle with a five-year master plan to develop a digital economy from 2021-2025. This will involve using the Internet to drive economic growth, enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of state administration, and strengthen the management of private enterprises.
The government believes a digital economy will add value to productivity, trade and services, enabling people to improve their standard of living.
In addition, the meeting discussed the circumstances surrounding civil servants in 2020 before debating the need for new government officials in 2021.
The Ministry of Home Affairs was asked to work with the sectors involved to define the needs of each sector based on a new, streamlined structure as stipulated under government policy.
The meeting also discussed a draft national strategy to promote employment opportunities in rural areas to ensure that more people were employed and could benefit from foreign-operated investment projects.

By Times Reporters
(Latest Update September 21, 2020)