The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Laos, Mr Thongsavanh Phomvihane, the Singapore Ambassador to Laos, Mr Sudesh Maniar, and other ministers and guests from various organisations attended the celebration of Singapore’s 60th National Day in Vientiane on Friday. The event was organised by the Embassy of the Republic of Singapore to Laos. Last year, the two countries celebrated their long-standing diplomatic relations, marked by bilateral visits at the level of heads of government and other senior leaders. These exchanges reflect the strengthening of friendly relations and good cooperation between the two countries.

Monks, novices and officials last week attend a ceremony to hand over the newly built Buddhist  secondary school at Phonthong temple in Bounneua district, Phongsaly province. The event was chaired by a member of the Central Committee of the Lao Buddhist Association and President of the provincial branch of the Association, monk Duangchan Vongphasy. Also in attendance were provincial officials, representatives of the construction company, and other individuals. The two-storey school has eight classrooms and cost 2,488,000,000 kip to build.                               --Photo Sports Newspaper Online

Officials from Champasak province’s Industry and Commerce Department on Friday introduce the use of a digital weighing scale at Daoheuang market in Pakse city. The scale will be used by shoppers and vendors to check the weight of goods and ensure accuracy. Department officials are encouraging other business owners to switch to the use of digital scales to build trust among consumers.                   --Photo Champamai newspaper

The Tourism Marketing Department of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism meets with Xekong province authorities to discuss ways to improve the marketing of tourism. Participants discussed measures proposed by provincial and central government departments to ensure that information about Xekong province is readily available for both domestic and international visitors, while new activities to attract more tourists were also considered.

Officials from Bokeo province’s Agriculture and Environment Department on Thursday provide PVC pipes and cement to Viengkhamnhay villagers to repair the Huaylieng irrigation channel in Pha-oudom district after it was damaged in a storm last month. The supplies were paid for by the province’s Disaster Fund. --Photo Pasaxon