President calls for Lao people to join forces to overcome challenges

Party Secretary General and State President Thongloun Sisoulith has delivered a Lao New Year message through the media, encouraging Lao people across the nation to join forces to overcome the challenges that lie ahead in the year to come.
In a speech to bid farewell to Pi Salou (the old year) and welcome in Pi Khan (the new year), the President said he was delighted to join his compatriots in welcoming and celebrating Pi Mai Lao (Lao New Year), which is considered to be an auspicious time and a much-loved tradition, being passed down through many generations.

President Thongloun Sisoulith.

Despite the challenges facing Laos in the past year, the President praised all Lao people for their efforts in banding together to weather the difficulties and obstacles taking place in Laos.
“Despite these difficulties, we have been able to maintain political stability and social order. The economy is in a phase of steady recovery and will continue to grow at a certain level,” the President said.
In addition, the President praised all Lao people for strengthening their unity in the face of challenges and working to fulfil the policies of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party as well as progressively achieving the national socio-economic development plan over the past year.
Mr Thongloun stressed that the achievements gained by the Lao people in the face of these challenges laid the foundations for state sectors to fulfil the set goals and for Lao people to improve their way of life in the coming year.
Among the main challenges facing Laos during Pi Salou were the economic downturn, rising inflation, continued depreciation of the kip against the Thai baht and US dollar, and the increasing price of fuel and other consumer goods, which affected people’s standard of living.
The slower economic growth rate is partly linked to the Covid-19 pandemic, which has disrupted economic activities and had a damaging effect on people’s incomes and quality of life.
The President hoped that Pi Khan would be a year of hope and reinforced encouragement created by Lao people as they strive to tackle the difficulties that lie ahead, saying that the unity of the Lao people under the leadership of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party would help to ensure that our beloved nation took a positive step forward.
On the occasion of Lao New Year, the President extended best wishes to Lao people throughout the country, foreign expats and people of Lao origin living abroad, wishing them good health, happiness and good luck.
At the same time, the President called on everyone to celebrate the Lao New Year safely in line with the instructions and regulations issued by authorities.

By Somsack Pongkhao
 (Latest Update April 13, 2022)