PM calls for MICT to work harder as more cabinet members take office 
 
Prime Minister Phankham Viphavanh has told personnel in the information, culture and tourism sector to work harder and deliver greater achievements in the years to come, as the new minister overseeing the sector officially assumed office.
Secretary General of the National Assembly (NA), Mrs Suanesavanh Vignaket, on Wednesday officially replaced Prof. Dr Kikeo Khaykhamphithoune as Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism.
Addressing a ceremony to hand over the position, the new prime minister asked the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism (MICT) and its subordinate agencies to draw up an action plan to realise the targets approved by the recent inaugural session of the NA’s 9th legislature.
This was the first time that PM Phankham offered guidance to the ministry in his role as prime minister following his election by the NA’s inaugural session. Mrs Suanesavanh is among the cabinet members approved by the Assembly.
The premier told the ceremony, which was attended by core officials from the sector, to modernise information and media affairs and speed up the delivery of useful and accurate information to meet the growing needs of society.
In addition, he told authorities in charge of tourism to work out a plan to rejuvenate tourism amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, which has severely impacted the global tourism industry.
He stressed the need to further promote and develop more eco-tourism facilities, citing Namkat Yorla Pa in northern Oudomxay province as a good example that provided lessons to be learnt.
Mr Phankham also called for officials to do more to promote and preserve both tangible and intangible forms of culture after learning that some young people have adopted undesirable lifestyles from outsiders, including their way of dress.
Authorities in charge were also told to consider and create tangible man-made architecture as a form of cultural heritage for future generations.
“What will we build as a legacy for coming generations?” he asked, noting that our ancestors had created various forms of tangible heritage for current and future generations, including the Plain of Jars in Xieng Khuang province and the That Luang Grand Stupa in Vientiane.
The Plain of Jars has also become a form of heritage for global citizens after the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation listed it as a World Heritage Site in 2019.
In front of those attending the ceremony and the prime minister, Mrs Suanesavanh promised to dedicate her efforts to leading the information culture and tourism sector in putting into practice the guidance given by the prime minister, the resolution adopted by the recent 11th National Party Congress, and the plans of the MICT.
She described the prime minister’s advice as a guiding direction for the development of the sector.
Mrs Suanesavanh is among the last members of Mr Phankham’s cabinet to officially take up office.
On Tuesday, Deputy Minister of Finance, Mr Bounchom Oubounpaseuth, officially replaced his predecessor Somdy Duangdy.
On the same day, Prof.Dr Boviengkham Vongdara replaced Mr Thansamay Kommasith as Minister of Technology and Communications.
In addition to the assumption of office by the new cabinet members, leaders of other state organisations have also taken up their new roles.
Vientiane Mayor Dr Sinlavong Khoutphaythoune on April 5 replaced Dr Xaysomphone Phomvihane as President of the Lao Front for National Development. Dr Xaysomphone has taken up office as President of the National Assembly, replacing Mrs Pany Yathotou, who is now one of two Vice Presidents of Laos.
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Thongsavanh Phomvihane replaced Mrs Sounthone Xayachack as Head of the External Relations Committee of the Party Central Committee.

By Times Reporters
(Latest Update April 08, 2021)