 saturday April 9, 2016

Vientiane Times
ISSUE 85 www.vientianetimes.la
The First National English Language Newspaper
4500 kip

Inside Increased trade links offer greater economic

opportunity for Laos while barriers remain
Times Reporters

The growing Lao economy has

become increasingly integrated
ALACE Expo officially into the global economy
through the Asean Economic
opened Community and other regional
[Page 2] and global trade pacts.
Increased trade links with
other countries have translated
into increased access to better
or cheaper imports such as
intermediate inputs for the
manufacturing sector and
increased demand for exports
such as electronic parts and
components.
According to a recent
statement published on
China, Southeast Asian the bank’s website, further
countries to improve challenges to economic growth
anti-terror cooperation remain, according to three new
World Bank Group reports
[Page 4] released this month.
“Reforms undertaken
as part of our accession to
the WTO have allowed our A company worker packs goods for export to foreign countries. (File photo)
private sector to take advantage
of increased trade with our The reports seek to gain more closely with its Asean sector. These steps can spur into low-skill non-tradable
neighbours,” the Minister for a better understanding of neighbors,” World Bank efforts to end poverty and boost service activities and that there
Industry and Commerce Ms the barriers associated with Country Manager in Laos Ms shared prosperity.” is no strong concurrent rural-
Khemmani Pholsena said. diversification in Laos’ Sally Burningham said. One report, “The Labour to-urban shift as has occurred
“However, further work is resource-rich economy. “Recent World Bank Impact of Lao Export in other comparable South East
required to ensure an improved “While economic growth analysis and research stresses Growth”, highlights the Lao Asian countries.
Exploring the deep business environment and has been fueled largely by its the importance of removing PDR economy’s structural The report “A Comparative
north access to competitive services rich natural resources, Laos can non-tariff barriers to increase transformation away from Overview of the Incidence
[Page 16] and manufacturing inputs can also focus on diversifying its trade and adding value to the agriculture, but finds that of Non-Tariff Measures on
attract further investment.” economy through integrating Lao PDR’s growing service workers are primarily shifting CONTINUED PAGE 2

Notice SEZs generate more jobs for Laos

Pi Mai Lao (Lao New Somsack Pongkhao made by the provincial
Year) takes place from authorities.
April 13 to 16 this year The development of special The two new zones have
and the Government and specific economic zones been debated by the relevant
Office has announced (SEZs) has not only contributed authorities at various meetings
that April 12 will be to attracting foreign investment before being submitted to the
to Laos but also generated over government for consideration
an additional public
22,000 jobs for local people. and approval.
holiday, meaning there The Lao National In Champassak province,
will be no issues of Committee for Special a new SEZ zone will be
the Vientiane Times Economic Zones (NCSEZ) established at Vangtao-
from April 12-16. The unveiled a report recently, Chongmek border checkpoint
following issue will be saying that the SEZs also drew in Phonthong district, pending
on Monday April 18. Lao people who crossed the the government’s approval.
The board of border to work in Thailand According to the NCSEZ,
management and staff to return home and work at most provinces have issued
wish all our readers factories operated under the proposals to the government
SEZs. for the establishment of SEZ’s
and customers a very Given the significance of within their localities after
happy and prosperous the SEZs, the government is witnessing the achievements in
Pi Mai Lao and we considering the establishment the existing zones.
hope everyone enjoys of new special and specific Laos currently has 12
the 2559 Pi Mai Lao economic zones (SEZs) in SEZs, of which four are special
celebrations. Saravan and Champassak economic zones and nine are
provinces based on proposals CONTINUED PAGE 2 The development of special and specific economic zones generates more jobs for Lao people.

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2 Home News Saturday April 9, 2016 Vientiane Times

Australia launches project to

quantify impacts of fishways in Laos
Times Reporters in recent years. Darling river basin”.
“These benefits will greatly He noted that cost effective
Australia has launched a five- benefit agriculture but may fish passage technology to bring
year project to quantify the impact on fish migration and fish back to the wetlands is a vital
biophysical and community lead to decreased wetland fish effort in the ongoing story of the
impacts of improved fish production,” he told a workshop Laos’ economic development.
passage in Laos. launching the project, held in The first ACIAR fishway
The project is among Pakxan district recently. project, from 2008 to 2009,
the largest fisheries projects “The construction of focused on developing criteria
since the Australian Centre suitable fishways can allow for floodplain species in the
for International Agricultural fish to migrate and also support central provinces.
Research (ACIAR) began sustainable development,” Mr This was followed by a
its first Lao fisheries project Khamphiew said, noting that second ACIAR project from
on indigenous species in many countries had developed 2010 to 2015 to develop fishway
1997, according to Australian fishways over the years. technology to boost fisheries
Embassy to Laos. “It is possible to have food, production in the floodplains of
The new project aims to water and energy production the Lower Mekong Basin and
evaluate the colonisation of but only if designed in the best the Murray-Darling Basin in
species in seasonal wetlands possible way.” Australia. Prof. Dr Bounleuam Sisoulath (left), Mr Phonexay Southiphong and officials visit booths after the
and quantify whether there “Fish passage in Laos is an During the second project, opening ceremony of ALACE Expo 2016 at Vientiane Centre on Thursday.
has been annual increases in emerging scientific discipline,” more than 8,000 barriers to fish
fish production at sites where
fishways have been built.
It also aims to quantify, in
the director general said,
underlining the importance of
basing fishway designs on data
migration were identified in just
three tributary catchments of the
Mekong – Xe Bang Hieng, Xe ALACE Expo
officially opened
social and economic terms, for Mekong species. “Laos Champhon and Nam Ngum.
options for building fishways at is rapidly developing water The third project, from
barriers on rivers and promote resources for many purposes. 2012 to 2013, was a pilot study
the uptake of project outputs. Therefore studies on fish to develop design criteria for
It is also the fifth ACIAR passages for utilisation in Laos fish-friendly irrigation and
project in eight years to address are necessary, especially for mini-hydropower projects in Sangkhomsay ALACE President Ms architects, engineers, company
the use of fishways to boost Lao including fish-passage outcomes the two river basins. The fourth, Bubphanouvong Sounantha Kanlaya said representatives and students to
fish production in areas where into irrigation and development launched in 2014 and scheduled the local organisation was meet and exchange knowledge.
barriers to fish migration have policy.” to be completed in 2018, aims to The Association of Lao gradually improving and Along with the exhibitor
been built. During the meeting, the improve the design of irrigation Architects and Civil Engineers expanding its role as a booths there are various
The Director of the Australian Ambassador to Laos infrastructure. (ALACE) Expo 2016 from professional association while activities such as drawing and
Borikhamxay Provincial Mr John Williams said “Australia Although these projects April 7-10 at Vientiane Centre building links with its peers design displays by students, and
Agriculture and Forestry is proud to support this work, showed that fishways could is drawing good crowds with across the region. a bridge design competition.
Department Mr Khamphiew through the Australian Centre be effective for Mekong fish the official opening ceremony During the opening Technical seminars on
Phimmathad, said development for International Agriculture species, feedback was that the held yesterday. ceremony, the Ministry of architecture in Laos and Asean
of Lao infrastructure, Research, or ACIAR, drawing scope of the work should be The opening ceremony was Public Works and Transport are also being held during the
especially roads and irrigation on all our experiences over the expanded to show and quantify attended by Deputy Minister presented souvenir gifts expo this year.
systems, had occurred rapidly past 20 years in the Murray their impact. of Public Works and Transport to senior officials from The association has
Prof. Dr Bounleuam Sisoulath, organisations attending from established Memorandums of
Arcasia President Mr Sathirut Thailand. Understanding and cooperates
Increased trade links offer... from page 1 Nui from Thailand, ALACE
President Mr Phonexay
This year is the fifth time
ALACE has hosted the expo
with peers in seven other
countries and exchanges
Southiphong and senior with booths from more than knowledge to improve its
Trade in the Lao PDR” identifies continuing regulatory hurdles and other non-tariff measures such officials from ALACE and 40 Lao and foreign (Thailand, development.
as licensing requirements and related costs that hamper the ability of the country to reap the gains of Thailand. China and Vietnam) ALACE has more than
deeper trade integration. The expo has also attracted companies attending, along 1,200 members around the
A third report, “Services and Manufacturing Linkages: An Empirical Analysis” assesses challenges many companies from the with the National University nation. It organised last
in building up the services sector of Laos’ economy, in particular the limited role for modern services, region exhibiting their new of Laos and Souphanouvong year’s expo at Lao-ITECC in
such as accounting, finance, or Information and Communication Technologies (ICT). products for construction, University. Vientiane with the Ministry of
These modern services, which are also important inputs into manufacturing exports, have played home decor and office design. The expo allows Public Works and Transport.
transformational roles in many other countries across the world by encouraging diversification and
quality upgrading of country exports. Importantly, high quality ICT, air, and land transport services are
also essential for the development of the tourism sector. The three trade policy reports were prepared
as a part of a trade-related analytical programme of work carried out by the World Bank in Lao Press in Foreign Languages
Laos, under the Second Trade Development Facility programme which included financing by

Vientiane Times
the World Bank, Australia, the European Union, Germany, Ireland, and the United States.

SEZs generate more jobs... from page 1 Established 1994, Volume 22

specific economic zones. in the development of SEZs in Laos over the past Tel: (856-21) 336042, fax: (856-21) 336041
Over 260 companies are now investing in the
zones with a total registered capital of US$6.4
years, it was critical for the country to draw more
foreign investors to operate businesses in the
editor@vientianetimes.la
billion. Of the total figure, more than US$1.27 zones.
billion has already been spent on development The Lao National Committee for Special
activities at the zones. Economic Zone is committed to work in Supervisor: phonethikeo28@yahoo.com Graphic Designer/IT:
The value of export for products manufactured cooperation with the Ministry of Labour and Malaythong Phayanouvong
from the SEZs attained US$41.5 million and Social Welfare and local authorities to supply a Savankhone Razmountry Features Editor:
the revenue generated from the zones has so far sufficient quantity and quality of labourers for the Manichanh Pansivongxay Tel: 021 336048, 020
reached over US$13 million. zones. Editor-in-Chief: Tel: 020 55607017, 021 55729209
The largest number of foreign companies The NCSEZ will also encourage local Copy Sub-editor:
investing in the zones are from China, followed authorities to initiate community development Thonglor Duangsavanh 336047
by those from Thailand, Japan, Vietnam and projects in line with the development of the Tel: 021 336042 Fax: 021 336046 Elizabeth Winch
Malaysia. SEZs to further create job opportunities for local editor@vientianetimes.la chanfeature@hotmail.com Finance Manager:
Deputy Minister and Vice President of the people. Somphone Vongsa
Lao National Committee for Special Economic The SEZs are not only attracting the interest News Editor:
Zones (NCSEZ) Ms Bouatha Khattiya said of foreign entrepreneurs but also the interest of Deputy Editor-in-Chief: Sisay Vilaysack Tel: 336040, 020 55647291
recently that the development of SEZs over the local companies. Phonekeo Vorakhoun Tel: 55615716, 021-336045, Marketing Manager:
past years has been relatively positive. Moreover the SEZs have become the main Phoutthasack
Many investors are interested to locate their driver for growth in the industrial and service Tel: 021 336042 Fax: 336046
factories in the zones, particularly those from sectors in Laos, laying the foundation for phonekeo@hotmail.com sisay69@gmail.com Inthakoummane
Japan. Ms Bouatha said despite the achievements diversifying the nation’s economy into the future. Business Editor: Tel: 021 336042,
Deputy Editor-in-Chief: Phonsavanh Vongxay Fax: 336041
Sub-editor wanted Phon Thikeo Tel: 021-336047, 020 Mobile: 020 55599209
Tel: 55624351, 021 336042 5522818 sale.adv@gmail.com
Vientiane Times is seeking an experienced English language editor. Must be a native speaker
of English and able to edit a wide range of articles from business to entertainment. Attention
to detail is essential and familiarity with current affairs in Laos is desirable. Excellent If you have a problem accessing the website, please call directly to
writing skills required. Working hours approx noon – 6pm Mon-Fri plus a weekly evening
Tel: +856-21 336048; 020 55729209
shift and occasional Sundays.
Please email phonethikeo28@yahoo.com or call: 55624351 Email: editor@vientianetimes.la
Vientiane Times
Photo essays
Director of Handicap International, Ms Ann Rouve-Khiev (front, third left) donates equipment
consisting of computers and office chairs to Director General of Policy and Head of Secretariat
of National Committee for Disabled People and Elderly ( NCDE), Mr Bounpone Sayasenh. The
equipment will assist NCDE operations.
Head of Office for AEK Company, Mr Sithisak Rattasavanh (second left) hands over donated
educational and sporting equipment to Samansakmeuang Primary School representative, Ms
Samouth Phommavong (first right) yesterday in Vientiane. The equipment was donated by
AEK Company, Watashi Company, Vientiane Times and Lao Development Bank for use by
Samansakmeuang Primary School in Phonthong district, Champassak province.
Weather forecast
Saturday April 9, 2016 Home News 3
Deputy Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism Mr Savankhone Razmountry (centre)
joins Lao Press in Foreign Languages’ staff to celebrate the 22nd anniversary of Vientiane Times
and welcome Pi Mai Lao at the paper’s office on Friday.
Branch Manager of Public Bank Mr Christopher Lim Boon Seong (second left) present a gift to
Editor-in-Chief of Lao Press in Foreign Languages, Mr Thonglor Duangsavanh on Friday for
Lao New Year.
News in Brief
Borikhamxay eyes per capita revenue of 40 million kip by 2030
Borikhamxay province aims to pursue socio-economic growth and see revenue hit more than
40 million kip per person by 2030, the Socio-Economic Daily reported.
According to the Planning and Investment Department, they will promote socio-economic
development through energy production, providing logistical services and ensuring sustainable
environment management.
By 2030, the authorities expect that the population will increase by more than 365,000 people
and the economy will be larger.
The structure of the agriculture and forestry sector will reduce in size but the industry, services
and construction sectors will grow.
Besides that, the province has many important structures for development such as industrial
factories, infrastructure systems, and small and medium-sized enterprises.
Xayaboury’s production in dry season over plan
The Agriculture and Forestry Department reported that rice seedlings in the dry season have
been transplanted on 3.3644 hectares, or more than 96 percent of the plan, while the crops
produced reached 13,681 hectares, which was 858 hectares over the plan.
Production increased because the authorities have been cooperating with some companies in
China to grow rice for export and the farmers have employed new technology, according to the
Socio-Economic Daily.
In addition, the province has 117,622 hectares for growing crops to export and received more
than 800,000 tonnes of produce. The majority of crops will include corn for animal feed,
cassava and others.
Goods production to reach 2 trillion kip this fiscal year
Savannakhet province aims to grow the industry and handicraft sector to 30-31 percent of GDP
and the production of goods is expected to reach more than 2 trillion kip.
Besides that, more than 280 furniture factories in the province will be at least 80 percent
complete, according to the Socio-Economic Daily.
The Industry and Commerce Department reported last year that the province’s GDP attained
more than 2 trillion kip, while the export of industry and handicrafts reached over US$
91 million. Presently the province has more than 2,000 industry and handicraft producers,
employing some 14,000 people.
4 Saturday April 9, 2016 Vientiane Times

Region
China, Southeast Asian countries to
improve anti-terror cooperation
Meng Jianzhu, head of the Commission for Political and Legal Affairs of the Communist Party of China
(CPC) Central Committee, and officials from Southeast Asian countries attend the China-Southeast
Asian security services counter-terrorism dialogue in Beijing.
BEIJING (Xinhua) -- China
and Southeast Asian countries
decided to improve their
cooperation in security and anti-
terrorism during a meeting in
Beijing on Thursday.
The two sides will take
action to improve multilateral
and bilateral cooperation against
terrorism, said senior Chinese
official Meng Jianzhu.
Meng, head of the
Commission for Political and
Legal Affairs of the Communist
Party of China (CPC) Central
Committee, made the remarks
while addressing the opening
ceremony of the China-
Southeast Asian security
services counter-terrorism
dialogue.
He said China and Southeast
Asian nations share close
geographical and cultural links
as well as common interests
and future. The two sides have
witnessed increasing mutual
trust and cooperation in security.
He thanked Southeast
Asian nations for their support
to China in the fight against
terrorism.
Meng said China is ready
to work with Southeast Asian
countries to put into action
the common, comprehensive,
cooperative and sustainable
security strategy for Asia, which
was proposed by President Xi
Jinping at the fourth summit of
the Conference on Interaction
and Confidence Building
Measures in Asia (CICA) in
May 2014.
He also called on all the
countries to improve multilateral
and bilateral cooperation,
increase information exchange,
expand cooperation areas, and
strengthen counter-terrorism
collaborative capacity, so as
to establish a multilateral anti-
terrorism cooperation platform
with regional characteristics to
protect people in the region and
help maintain regional security
and stability.
Officials from Southeast
Asian countries agreed with
Meng and pledged to further
strengthen information
exchange and take pragmatic
actions in counter-terrorism
with China.
China’s State Councilor and
Public Security Minister Guo
Shengkun met with Cambodian
Deputy Prime Minister and
Interior Minister Sar Kheng,
who attended the dialogue on
Thursday morning.
Guo said China is willing
to work with Cambodia to
strengthen law enforcement
cooperation in such areas as
telecommunications fraud,
human trafficking and cyber
crimes, so as to serve the
development of bilateral
relations.
Sar Kheng said Cambodia
will strengthen cooperation with
the ministry and push forward
Cambodia-China ties.
Malaysia proposes
Asean News Agency
KUALA LUMPUR (Bernama)
-- Media outlets in the region
need to work more closely
with each other in order to
better present the Asean story.
Regional top media
practitioners who attended
the inaugural Asean Editors
Summit agreed that the region’s
perspective and narratives
could be better explained with
improved cooperation.
Bernama editor-in-chief
Datuk Zakaria Abdul Wahab
said the forum was a platform
for media practitioners,
including from broadcast,
print and social media, to
promote the idea of the Asean
community.
“All of us have a role,
including the media, to make
sure that our Asean community
is realised.
“We would like to assist
our partners to get the right
information and the access that
they have yet to get,” he said,
when met at the sidelines of the
summit.
The Asean Editor Summit
was held from April 5-6
in Kuala Lumpur, which
was jointly organised by
the Communications and
Multimedia Ministry and the
Jakarta-based Asean secretariat,
was aimed at providing the
opportunity for regional
media practitioners to share
experiences and discuss current
issues faced by the industry.
More than 100 editors
from all Asean countries,
including representatives of
news agencies, print media,
electronic media and news
portals, attended the two-day
summit.
Zakaria said many issues
covered by the media today
have gone borderless and thus
it was timely for the industry
to become more organised in
providing news.
“At the moment, we
rely too much on foreign
international news agencies.
Why don’t we come up with
our own mechanism and help
each other instead,” he said.
Indonesia’s Antara News
Agency Editor-in-Chief Aat
Surya Safaat proposed the
establishment of a joint website
to accumulate stories from all
participating members.
“It will be a means for us
to work together and show that
media institutions can establish
a united organisation to help
develop the notion of an Asean
Community and cultural
identity, he said.
Manila Times President,
Chief Executive Officer and
Executive Editor Dante Ang
II said the significance of the
summit was to figure out how
the media could go about
finding the right platform to
connect various organisations
as part of the Asean integration.
He said his media
organisation was open to
cooperation with other media
partners on transnational and
trans border issues in the
common interest of the papers
and member countries.
“Ultimately, we also need
to serve our readers and we
should be careful about how
we go about this. It should not
be about giving one-sided or
just positive news but to ensure
the truth is out and to help the
people,” he said.
In brief from Asia
News Network
China has 1 in 5 of
all college students
in the world: Report
CHINA (China Daily) -- In
1949 when the People’s
Republic of China was
founded, only 117,000
students were attending
colleges or universities. But
the number soared to 37
million in 2015 - the world’s
largest student population.
Now, one in every five
college students is in China,
according to the country’s
first quality report on higher
education, which was
released by the Ministry of
Education on Thursday.
China’s higher education
system, one of the largest
in the world, has evolved
quickly and contributed
greatly to the country’s
development during the past
seven decades, the report
said. The number of colleges
and universities in the country
now stands at almost 2,900,
and is second only to the
United States.
The report also shows that
expenditures on higher
education have increased
greatly in recent years - as
has the number of educators,
the amount of real estate and
teaching resources.
“The fast development
of higher education in
China has offered more
ordinary Chinese people
the opportunity to attend
college. It has also provided
intelligent support for the
dramatic transformation of
Chinese society,” said Wu
Yan, director of the Higher
Education Evaluation Centre,
an institute under the ministry
that conducted research for
the report.
Disasters don’t deter
Mt Everest climbers
NEPAL (Kathmandu Post)
-- Two back-to-back tragedies

Vietnam elects new vice president on Everest don’t seem to

HANOI (Xinhua) -- Vietnam’s parliament elected
Dang Thi Ngoc Thinh as the country’s vice
president on Friday.
With 450 “yes” votes out of 489 valid ballots
cast by representatives at the ongoing 11th session
of the 13th National Assembly (NA), Thinh was
elected to replace Nguyen Thi Doan, who was
relieved from the duty on Thursday.
Thinh was born in 1959 in central Quang
Nam province. She holds a bachelor degree in
law, history and political theory, as well as master
degree in party building. She became an alternate
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have deterred adventure
enthusiasts. The world’s
highest peak is set for yet
member of the 10th Central Committee of the another rush of hopeful
Communist Party of Vietnam (CPVCC) in 2006. climbers. The Department
Thinh was a member of the 11th CPVCC in of Tourism, which issues
2011 and is currently an official member of the Everest climbing permits,
12th CPVCC. Also on Friday, the Vietnamese expects another busy season
legislature elected a new chief justice of the starting this May as climber
Supreme People’s Court and the Prosecutor numbers are expected to
General of the Supreme People’s Procuracy. surpass 300. According to
Nguyen Hoa Binh, member of the 12th the Tourism Department,
CPVCC, member of the 12th CPVCC’s 277 climbers have received
Secretariat, was elected as the new chief justice of Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Minister Datuk Seri Dr climbing permits as of
the Supreme People’s Court. Salleh Said Keruak strikes a gong to open the Asean Editor Summit. April 7. “Among them, 223
climbers have already left
towards the Everest region to
acclimatize themselves before
pushing for the summit,”
said Gyanendra Shrestha, an
official of the department.
“We are processing the
remaining applications and
expect more to come.”
Shrestha said that the figure
could reach 300 or even more
this year. Normally, Everest
aspirants apply for climbing
permits between mid-March
and April-end.
Actual climbing starts in
mid-May. The government
charges $11,000 per foreign
climber and earns nearly $3.5
million in revenues from
Everest annually.
Vientiane Times
Food production to
remain stable in 2016
UNITED NATIONS 7 below its level of last year.
(Xinhua) -- World cereal
production in 2016 is set to
reach 2,521 million tonnes, just
0.2 percent off last year’s large
output and the third-highest
global performance on record,
said a UN spokesman, citing the
first forecast for the new season
by the Food and Agriculture
Organisation (FAO).
“Large inventory levels
and relatively sluggish global
demand mean that market
conditions for staple food grains
appear stable for at least another
season,” said Farhan Haq, the
deputy UN spokesman, at a
daily news briefing.
Also on Thursday, the FAO
released its monthly Food
Price Index. Overall, the Index
rose by 1 percent compared
to February, as soaring sugar
prices and continued increase in
palm oil quotations more than
offset plunging dairy product
prices, he said.
In March, the Index
averaged its highest level in
2016, but still some 12 percent
The small decline
in 2016/17 world cereal
production portended by FAO
would largely result from
a lower worldwide wheat
production, which is now
expected to amount to 712.7
million tonnes, some 20 million
tonnes less than in 2015, said
FAO’s first forecast for the new
season.
The decline mostly reflects
smaller plantings in the Russian
Federation and Ukraine, both
affected by dry weather.
Global output of coarse
grains is projected at 1,313
million tonnes, up about 11
million tonnes from 2015,
with expected increases in
maize production more than
offsetting declines for barley
and sorghum.
Maize output is seen
growing by 1.1 percent to 1
014 million tonnes, driven
by recovering yields in the
European Union and expanding
plantings in the United States.
At the same time, maize
Saturday April 9, 2016 5
World
Over 130 countries to sign
climate agreement on April 22
production is expected to fall in
Southern Africa and Brazil, due
to drought and adverse growing
conditions associated with El
Nino.
World rice production
is predicted to recover with
a return to normal weather
conditions in northern-
hemisphere Asia, where erratic
rains have affected planting
activity for the past two seasons,
FAO said.
Global output, although
impacted by unattractive prices,
is predicted to rise 1.0 percent
to 495 million tonnes.
International trade in
cereals in 2016/17, however, is
poised to decline for the second
consecutive season - by 1.4
percent to 365 million tonnes
- due to ample stockpiles and
modest demand growth in
many importing countries.
Global cereal utilisation in
2016/17 is foreseen to grow
only modestly, rising by around
1.0 percent to 2 547 million
tonnes, according to very The Thwaites Glacier in Antarctica is seen melting in this undated handout NASA image.
preliminary new estimates. --Photo Agencies

Venezuela unveils emergency UNITED NATIONS (AP) --

A record number of more than
from over 130 countries,
including more than 60 heads
indicated that they will deposit
their instruments of ratification

energy-saving plan
130 countries will sign the
landmark agreement to tackle
climate change at a ceremony
CARACAS (Xinhua) -- Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro has unveiled an emergency at UN headquarters on April
energy-saving plan that includes a four-day workweek for civil servants to help cut electricity 22, the United Nations said
consumption. Thursday.
Maduro announced the temporary 60-day plan late Wednesday during a weekly television Secretary-General Ban Ki-
program, indicating that a drought caused by this year’s El Nino weather phenomenon has moon is hosting the signing
affected the nation’s reservoirs, which generate nearly 70 percent of the country’s electricity. ceremony on the first day
“Today we have launched a new phase of the eight-week plan to attend to the El Nino that the agreement reached in
emergency,” said Maduro. Paris in December opens for
According to a special government decree, all the Fridays in April and May will be considered
signature.
off days.
The plan also calls on basic industries with high energy use to cut back on power consumption The UN chief, French
by some 20 percent, among other measures. President Francois Hollande
“I ask for the entire country’s maximum cooperation,” said Maduro. “I’m absolutely sure and French Environment
that we are going to overcome this, with the smallest impact on Venezuelan families.” Minister Segolene Royal, who
The temporary four-day workweek plan was devised after Maduro gave workers a full week is in charge of global climate
off in March during the Holy Week, which saved 400 megawatts of electricity and prevented negotiations, have invited
reservoirs from dropping 22 centimetres, Venezuela’s public television network VTV reported. leaders from all 193 UN
member states to the event.
The UN said signatures
of state and government, would
surpass the previous record of
119 signatures on the opening
day for signing an international
agreement. That record is held
by the opening day signing of
the Law of the Sea treaty in
1994.
The UN stressed that
the signing ceremony is the
first step in ensuring that the
agreement enters into force as
soon as possible. It will take
effect 30 days after at least 55
countries, accounting for 55
percent of global greenhouse
gas emissions, deposit their
instruments of ratification or
acceptance with the secretary-
general.
A number of countries have
immediately after signing the
agreement, the UN said.
“Paris was historic,” Ban
said in a statement. “But it’s
only the beginning. We must
urgently accelerate our efforts
to tackle climate change.”
The agreement sets a
collective goal of keeping
global warming below 2
degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees
Fahrenheit) compared to pre-
industrial times, and to pursue
efforts to limit the temperature
rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7
degrees Fahrenheit). It requires
all countries to submit plans for
climate action and to update
them every five years, though
such plans are not legally
binding.

British Foreign Office urges

overseas Brits to stop bizarre requests
LONDON (Xinhua) -- British Foreign and
Commonwealth Office (FCO) on Thursday
urged overseas Britons to use consular services
for genuine emergencies rather than “bizarre
requests.”
Confused Britons looked to the FCO for
advice on bizarre issues ranging from where to
buy English bacon in Europe, how to recruit a
butler in Lebanon and how to avoid nudists in
southern Spain, according to the FCO.
In a statement, the ministry released the top
ten “weirdest consular calls” it has received in the
past year, calling on the public to use its services
for genuine emergencies.
The “weirdest” requests also include
a British man asking for assistance to get
illegal employment in Singapore, a confused
businessman looking for information on the
construction of plug sockets, and another man in
the Republic of Korea asking what he could do
with his old pound notes.
“Our consular staff are a helpful bunch and
do an amazing job helping out Brits in trouble
around the world - but it is important that people
remember they are there to help with genuine
emergencies and not as an alternative to directory
enquiries,” said James Duddridge, a FCO
minister.
“Every minute they spend handling a call
requesting advice on butlers or nudists is time
taken away from dealing with life and death
cases, so I urge the public to think before picking
up the phone,” he added.
According to the 2015 UK Travel Habit
Tracking Research Report, almost three quarters
of Brits (74 percent) thought the FCO could get
them out of jail if they were arrested.
Meanwhile, almost a quarter (22 percent)
thought the FCO could arrange for them to get
home if they lost their ticket and 15 percent
presumed the FCO would lend them money if
theirs was lost or stolen.
Latest FCO figures show that over the last
year almost half a million calls were made to its
consular services. The vast majority of people
who approached them were having genuine
requests.
Over the last year, the FCO helped 3,250
Britons who were hospitalised; 4,770 who were
arrested, and the families of 3,670 who died
overseas. Nearly 38,000 replacement travel
documents were issued.
6 Saturday April 9, 2016 Vientiane Times

Opinion

Following proper steps to investment an advantage for the state

Editorial Desk potential economic, environmental should get an approval from the they can do is not allow the existing Regulations of licensing

L
aos is like other Asean
country members in that
it requires foreign direct
investment to make it
become a stronger economic and
service base in the region.
Overseas business people continue
to stare at Laos as an interesting
destination, which has seen a steady
growth of the economy, and there
are various incentives available for
investors. A low cost of renting land,
low cost of labour, political stability
and good relationships with other
countries, are significant components
for foreign companies when choosing
investment destinations.
Although it is a small market
compared to some Asean countries
with a population of about 6.8 million
people, overseas investors still see
business potential here.
In seeking to attract a lot of
foreign companies to come, the state
organisations which are involved
with issuing investment licenses must
maintain the proper steps for investing
and the regulations of licensing.
If investment steps and regulations
are implemented effectively this will
make the state organisations stand in
an advantageous position in managing
projects operated by investors and
project operations will reach better
quality.
Steps of investment
Projects which are sensitive to
natural resources and life must be
encouraged to conduct studies on
and social impacts. This is an agricultural, environmental and investors to further expand their In approving a licence, the relevant
investment step and it should be health sectors but sometimes these plantation areas. authorities must carefully consider
compulsory for project developers. sectors lack coordination. Provincial officials allowed the specific regulations or laws.
At the same time, relevant state Projects sometimes have only investors to set up projects in their Some regulations have reserved some
organisations must give importance the farming sector approve them provinces because they have higher businesses and occupations for Lao
to these issues before approving any and then investors start production demands for foreign investors and nationals only, such as health clinics.
project and they should ensure close without conducting any impact want them to bring such projects to The regulations of the Ministry of
monitoring of it. studies. Then when problems generate income and improve the Health do not allow foreigners to
For any project that is not following happen they are hard to solve. living conditions for the poor. provide health treatment services but
this policy, the relevant sector has a For example, banana projects That is a good idea but the officials there are foreign clinics in Vientiane,
right to cancel the consideration of the in the northern provinces of Laos do not have any knowledge about the the capital city, because there is an
impacts of banana plantations. They authorisation.
just allow investors to carry them out. Policing foreign clinics is still a
Projects which are sensitive to natural The National Agriculture chronic problem, even though the
and Forestry Resource Institute relevant state organisations can use
resources and life must be encouraged to in cooperation with the National
University of Laos recently released
legal action to solve this problem
because there have been breaches of
the results of research about banana the law and the officials who gave the
conduct studies on potential economic, projects in Laos and called for the licenses should be punished.
government to formulate and enforce But sometimes officials cannot
environmental and social impacts. This policies and measures to manage
banana plantation investments
close the clinics because they want to
compromise with investors who have
after they were shown to have already invested. At the same time, they
is an investment step and it should be negative impacts on society and the want to protect the image of the official
environment. who gave the license in the first place.
compulsory for project developers. The research found that chemical Some state organisations are in a
substances have been used in every hurry to welcome investors and allow
step of banana plantations such a them to start their projects as quickly
chemical fertilisers, insecticides, crop as possible because they are afraid the
project proposal or project operation. managed by Chinese companies vitamins and preservatives. But there investors may go to another country.
In previous years, some state cause a lot of negative impacts to the is no effective management of the This is a problem for state
organisations did not strictly environment such as the rivers and chemicals’ application or the chemical organisations which have high
implement the required investment the soil because the investors did containers after use. demand for foreign direct investment
steps so investors gave less importance not conduct studies on the potential Chinese investors want to carry out but cannot manage it line with the
to preventing environmental and social environmental and social impacts. such projects in Laos because Laos appropriate investment steps and
impacts. This happens because the and China have good political and licensing regulations.
In general, before approving a officials in charge did not follow the economic relationships while Laos  If you have any comments
project, it needs to have several related appropriate steps of investment. also has flexibility in using chemical or wish to contribute an opinion
state organisations involved. For Provincial or relevant authorities substances and does not have strict piece please email: chanfeature@
example, a mega farming project cannot solve this problem but what controls. hotmail.com

Living in an age of hybrid, middlebrow cultures

Kim Seong-kon
KOREA (The Korea Herald,
ANN) -- For some dubious
reason, Koreans tend to think
of themselves as ethnically
homogenous people.
Naturally, they take pride
in sharing a pure bloodline.
That is why in Korea,
people translate mixed-blood
as “twigi” and hybrid as
“japjong,” both of which are
derogatory remarks in the
Korean language.
At school, kids frequently
pick on mixed-blood
classmates and tease them or
make fun of them cruelly. At
work, mixed-blood persons,
who are likely to be excluded
and alienated, easily become
social pariahs.
Koreans should realise
that we now live in a world
where homogeneity and pure
bloodlines are no longer of
value. Instead, hybrid is the
new cool.
Take hybrid cars for
example, they have proven
to be more efficient than
conventional gas-fueled cars.
Smartphones can be another
good example of multipurpose
hybrid devices that excel
single-purpose ones. Indeed,
a smartphone is a combination
of so many things: phone,
camera, computer, telephone
directory, navigator, stereo,
game player and TV set.
Smartphones have replaced
newspapers, magazines and
books as well.
Recently, I met a group
of senior novelists who were
blissfully unaware of the
changes taking place in this
age of electronics. One of
them furiously asserted that
since young people were
addicted to smartphones these
days instead of reading books,
the devices should be taken
away from them. On hearing
her, I sighed heavily. For
young people, smartphones
can also function as books.
The novelist, instead of
proposing such extreme
measures, should have tried
to find a way to upload stories
and novels electronically
so that youngsters can read
them on their smartphones.
Perhaps, the essence of
literature does not change.
Surely, however, its vessel or
medium can, with changes in
paradigms.
I heard another novelist
comment, “Since the film
industry lures away fiction
readers, let us launch a
campaign to boycott theaters.”
At this naive thinking, I was
aghast again. Film is by no
means an enemy of literature.
On the contrary, literature
and film can be good friends.
For example, the Korean
translation of Jane Austin’s
“Pride and Prejudice” became
an instant best seller in Korea
when the publication of the
novel coincided with the
release of the film version.
Often, a movie version of
a novel can intrigue the
curiosity of the audience and
make them buy and read the
original work. Film is not
a killer of literature, but a
Today, as boundaries between nations, literary genres, and
highbrow and middlebrow cultures are rapidly collapsing,
cultures are consolidating and so are literatures. The boundary
between pure and popular literature, too, is being blurred.
resuscitator.
I was embarrassed when
another novelist maintained
that the government should
financially support writers
who have meager incomes.
To my surprise, he solemnly
declared, “Writers cannot
make a living from writing
these days. Since we
produce pure literature, we
have every right to demand
financial support from the
government.”
He did not realise two
things. First, the age of pure
literature is gone. We now live
in an age of hybrid literature
that integrates highbrow and
popular culture, or serious
and genre literature such as
fantasy, science fiction and
detective novels. Today, as
boundaries between nations,
literary genres, and highbrow
and middlebrow cultures are
rapidly collapsing, cultures
are consolidating and so are
literatures. The boundary
between pure and popular
literature, too, is being
blurred.
Second, writers by nature
do not want to rely on their
government’s financial
support. In fact, writers
from advanced countries
would be reluctant to receive
any money from their
government. Besides, writers
are engaged in writing not
because they want to make
money out of it but because
they love literature. Why then
do Korean writers expect
their government to take care
of them financially?
I heard another writer
vehemently denouncing
the relationship between
literature and the market.
He protested, “Do not insult
writers by mentioning
the market. Literature has
nothing to do with the market
whatsoever.” But is it not true
that every writer clandestinely
wishes for his or her work
to become a best seller? If
so, how could they say that
literature has nothing to do
with the market? Without
the market, how could they
become best-selling writers
in the first place?
Korean writers, however,
do not seem to perceive the
underlying contradictions
and as a result develop a
misconception that their
novels and poems are too pure
to be marketable. However,
if you ignore the market
and the changing tastes of
readers, your books will be
left stacked in a warehouse.
What good is a book that no
one reads?
Yet, many Korean writers
still advocate pure literature
and deprecate fantasy, science
fiction or detective stories.
But our classical novels
such as “The Story of Hong
Gil-dong,” “The Story of
Sim-cheong,” “The Queen
Swallow’s Gift,” and “The
Dream of Nine Clouds,” are
all fantasies.
In “Culture and
Imperialism,” Edward Said
states, “Partly because of
empire, all cultures are
involved in one another,
none is single and pure, all
are hybrid, heterogeneous,
extraordinarily differentiated
and unmonolithic.”
With the advent of the
Internet and Wi-Fi, the age of
pure literature and highbrow
culture is in decline. We
now live in an age of hybrid
cultures that embraces
popular literature, subgenre
novels, and middlebrow
culture.
-- Kim Seong-kon is
a professor emeritus of
English at Seoul National
University and president of
the Literature Translation
Institute of Korea.
Vientiane Times Saturday April 9, 2016 Opinion 7

Streetwise
Streetwise

What are your thoughts about bomb awareness?

World Bomb Awareness Day is marked on April 7. Activities to campaign on bomb awareness
among society are being held by many sectors and organisastions in Laos. Vientiane Times
asked some members of the public for their thoughts about bomb awareness.
Visith Teppalath tried to cooperate with many impact of the war because all of funds and all sectors and of them. The bombs will from the risks and dangers is
international organisations the bombs were left during people in society are asked continue to kill people if to have more campaigning

M s Niddaphone
Phongnakhone, a
resident of Nonkeo village
Sikhottabong district: I have
heard about this day in the
media and have read that
many activities are being
in order to enhance
international awareness on
bombs, solving the problems,
and increasing international
support towards freeing the
country of UXO so that Lao
people can live without fear
for their lives. I think the
UXO should be completely
the past but they still work
and continue to kill local
people unreasonably. I also
have read that there are many
types of bombs and they are
shaped like tennis balls and
very colourful. In short, they
are very attractive playthings
for young children. Children
often stumble upon UXO
items while playing together
and because they don’t
know what they are, they
sometimes pick them up to
play with them. So children
are always at risk and they
need to be protected.
to contribute to the funding.
So everyone should provide
help by giving some funds
to assist the clearance work.
We can donate some money
through the related sectors or
at donation boxes.
M r Xoum, a resident of
Xayaboury province:
For many years, Lao people
have lived with undetonated
bombs in their backyards,
rice fields, and forests.
Bombs are most dangerous
and all people are afraid
we don’t have it all cleared
as quickly as possible. The
best way to save people
activities among society,
especially for people in
the at-risk areas, providing
enough information on the
risks and dangers for them.
There should also be regular
awareness campaigning in
each school because it will
help to educate and remind
children on the risks and
dangers and they will stay
far away from the bombs. We
should also pay more attention
to help the victims, support the
clearance, and create bomb
awareness among society.

Vientiane Times Subscription 2016

M s Souphaphone
Therttakou, a resident
in Vapy district, Saravan 1. DOMESTIC SUBSCRIPTION (6 issues/week) and online fee
held to campaign on bomb province: It is so unfortunate 78 issues (3 months) 305,000k +100,000k 405,000k

awareness among society. It
is good to hold such activities
because it will remind people
more about the risks and
dangers of bombs, especially
the unexploded ordnance
cleared all over the country
soon, so people will enjoy
their living conditions
more and contribute to the
country’s development.
that thousands of people have
been killed or injured by
UXO in Laos. Fortunately,
my province is not one of the
most at-risk areas for UXO
but there are many areas
Regular price
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Area: Thadeua Rd. Dongdok,
Ban Tanmixay and Sikhay
villages.
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which is the most serious
problem in some areas of
Laos because many people
have to face it in their lives
and they don’t know where
underground that the UXO
lies and when it might
explode. I think many people
don’t know well about the
M
s Parn Chindavone, a
resident of Xaythany
district: I have read that Laos
is the most heavily bombed
country per capita in the
world and Xieng Khuang
province is one of the most
highly UXO-contaminated
areas in Laos. Previously
in some provinces where
people suffer from bombs
such as Xieng Khuang,
Huaphan, Savannakhet,
Champassak and others.
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Thailand, Vietnam,
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dangers of the bombs and dozens of people were killed Cambodia 312 issues (1 year) 7,488,000k +100,000k 7,588,000k
are not aware of protecting
Asia, Australia & New 156 issues (6 months) 4,368,000k
themselves from the incidents. Zealand
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So there should be regular 312 issues (1 year) 8,736,000k +100,000k 8,836,000k

advertising or campaigning in
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each at risk area.
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M s Lotchana Anoulack,
a resident of Nonghay
village, Sisattanak district:
America and Canada 156 issues (6 months)

312 issues (1 year)

6,240,000k

12,480,000k
+100,000k

+100,000k
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I don’t know well about
this day but I know that
Laos is one of the most
UXO-affected nations in
the world and many people
in some areas are living in
fear because they are at risk
of UXO in their daily lives.
However the government
has worked hard to solve
the problems and clear the
bombs for a long time. The
government, especially the
sector responsible, has also
or injured by bombs buried
in the ground each year and
most of the victims were
children. These are not good
conditions for living or for
our country. Laos is very
peaceful at the present time
but many people still die
because of the bombs. Many
people said that is the worst
In the at-risk areas, people
suffer from both direct and
indirect impacts of the bombs
because they are always at
risk and cannot enjoy the
freedom to clear the land.
Some farmers have also been
killed trying to collect bomb
scraps for sale. Of course
clearance is the best way to
solve the problem and protect
the people. Many projects are
held each year for clearance
but the clearance needs lots
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8 Saturday April 9, 2016 Vientiane Times

Health & Education

Ministry address questions A Journey to become
on polio vaccination a Fulbright awardee
Times Reporters of their past vaccination status.

S
The Ministry of Health is strongly committed
ix months have passed since the to ending the current polio outbreak as soon as Thipphaphone Channavong

announcement of the first polio case in
Laos in October 2015; so far six rounds of
polio vaccination have been conducted in
the country, targeting all people in selected high
risk districts, and those under the age of 15 for the
rest of the country.
National Immunisation Programme Manager,
Dr Anonh Xeuatvongsa, said that despite the
ongoing efforts to contain the polio outbreak, the
work is far from over, the programme find many
children unvaccinated during the rounds, and it
is crucial that they receive the OPV (Oral Polio
Vaccine) doses.
“They will receive their doses either in their
schools as part of the collaboration between the
Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Education
and Sports or when the health workers visit their
villages,” he said.
Some parents have raised concerns when they
learned that their children were getting a fourth
dose as part of the recent March OPV campaign
(6th round).
The recommendation formulated in October-
November 2015 last year from the Ministry of
Health was that every beneficiaries/child should
receive at least three doses of OPV to protect
them from polio.
The additional doses provided to them are
not harmful in any way, and will actually boost
the immunity and protection of not only their
children but of the community as a whole.
Children from international families residing
in Laos have apparently received the polio
vaccine as part of the routine immunisation in
their country; hence they perceive that these
additional doses may not be needed. It is reiterated
that in the current polio outbreak in the Lao PDR,
it is essential that every beneficiary in the targeted
age group receive these additional doses. These
additional doses are to be provided irrespective
B
possible. As part of the vaccination activities
conducted in Laos in controlling the current polio orn and raised in
outbreak, it would mean each and every child Nongduang village,
wherever they are, should be vaccinated and that
Sikhottabong
no one in the country is missed. Similar pattern
of vaccination activities have been conducted district, the 24
in other countries to successfully contain polio year old Ms Maniphet
outbreaks. Phengsavatdy has always
WHO Representative to Laos, Dr Juliet dreamed of receiving the
Fleischl, said that every additional dose of OPV Fulbright Scholarship. At last,
that your child receives will give extra protection her dream has come true.
against polio. The Fulbright Scholarship
“If every child is vaccinated in every corner is managed by the US
of the country, only then this high vaccination government which it provides
coverage will contain the current outbreak and for the pursuit of Master’s
stop the transmission.”
Unicef Representative in Laos, Ms Hongwei degrees in the United States.
Gao, said it is imperative that all children under Do you want to know her
15 years of age receive at least three or more path to success?
doses of polio vaccine to stop the outbreak in If you have a goal of
Laos. getting any scholarship,
The fact that some children, probably the same planning is essential. The
hard-to-reach children, remain unvaccinated puts first step of the Fulbright
the entire country at risk of continuing polio Scholarship selection process
virus circulation. “Polio vaccine is very safe even is to hand in documents
when children or other target populations receive which include essays, degree
multiple repeated doses,” said Ms Hongwei.
certificate, transcript and
The vaccine is designed to be administered
multiple times to ensure full protection. And application form. Apart from
where the weather is hot, like in Laos, more the documents, honing your
than 4 doses of OPV are required for a child to English skills early on is very
be fully protected – sometimes more than ten are important.
administered without side effects. Each additional Ms Maniphet has been
dose further strengthens a child’s immunity level studying English for seven One of the five 2015 Fulbright Scholarship awardees, Ms Maniphet
against polio. years. She emphasises the Phengsavatdy.
The vaccine is very safe and highly effective importance of self-study. To get
against all types of wild poliovirus. There have to this point, she reads, speaks, are open-minded. They let me will also help society, in her
been no known side effects of OPV. WHO has writes and listens to a great try everything and they had case education.
already issued a statement to affirm the quality
and safety of OPV. deal of English. In other words, faith in me,” Ms Maniphet “You need to make
practice makes perfect. added. yourself valuable. Scholarship

Tennis elbow: pain and prevention

THAILAND (The Nation,
ANN) -- Today, nearly half
of all tennis players suffer
from this disorder at some
point. However, tennis players
account for just five cent of
patients who visit physicians
with this disorder. The others
have never swung a racket in
their lives.
The cause of the
inflammation of the tendon
on the outside of the elbow is
due to injury in the tendon and
muscle which is attached to the
bones on the outside the elbow.
This may be caused by an acute
injury, such as an accident, or by
repetitive use over a long period
of time, causing degeneration
of the tendon. This includes
using sports equipment that
has incorrectly been designed
for the individual player,
incorrectly playing sports, or
being involved in jobs that
require frequent lifting and
dragging of heavy objects, such
as that of a cleaner whose daily
activities include sweeping,
wringing clothes, and kitchen
work.
When the tendons and
muscles are injured, the
patient’s muscles are not at its
optimal strength. Often, the torn
tendons have not been given
time to heal completely before
they are subject to being used
again. This results in repetitive
tear in tendons, causing
inflammation and swelling, and
the repair mechanism in the
body slows down by six to 12
weeks.
The inflammation of the
elbow can just be a result of
tendonitis but the inflammation
often includes the area in the
body where the muscles and
tendons are attached to the
bone or joint at the elbow
(epicondylitis).
Signs and symptoms of
tennis elbow include:
• Recurring pain on the
outside of the elbow
• Pain at the back of the
hand that extends to the wrist
• Pain that intensifies when
lifting objects, especially when
the hand is facing down while,
for example, washing dishes or
stir-frying food.
• Some people may
experience severe pain and are
unable to |completely extend
their hands or brush their teeth
A diagnosis can easily be
made by history and physical
examination as well as from
the symptoms mentioned
above. However, there are
some symptoms that are often
mistaken for tennis elbow,
such as pain in the inside of
the elbow joint, also known
as Golfer’s Elbow. Another
condition is pain at the back
of the elbow, called Bursitis,
which is caused by a cyst. Since
the pain is caused by an injury
to the tendon in the specified
area, the best treatment is to
relax and stop the use of the
hand that is in pain. When the
pain alleviates, begin exercising
your hand to strengthen the
muscle. If you are required to
return to work, the pain in your
hand may aggravate or recur.
Spend at least 5-10 minutes
exercising your hand muscles
before using it again.
Physicians generally
prescribe anti-inflammatory
medicines to patients in the
first stage, when they are
not experiencing great pain.
If these medications are not
effective in the treatment, the
physicians will recommend
steroid injections into the site
of the inflamed tendon. This
can alleviate the pain and
inflammation but should not be
used continuously over a long
period of time, as it may cause
side effects such as whitening
of the skin around the injection
site, fat atrophy, or rupture of
the tendons.
If the above treatment is not
effective, then surgery should
be considered to remove the
damaged tissue and to repair
and tighten the tendons. As
with everything, prevention is
better than cure. Here are some
suggestions for preventing the
injury.
• Lift objects with palm
facing up
• Exercise by regularly
stretching your hand muscles
• Always do warm up
exercises by stretching your
hands before the start of any
activity
• Stop engaging in any
activity that causes pain in your
elbow. If you must work, then
do some warm up exercises to
stretch your elbow muscles,
at least 5-10 minutes before
using your elbow and then
immediately apply a cold
compress after you have
finished your work. Take short
breaks between work.
• Use a stretchable cloth or a
ready-made fabric as an elbow
wrap or support. This will help
reduce and protect against any
force or impact with the elbow.
Use this support while playing
sports or lifting heavy objects.
For anyone who wants to
practice speaking English,
Ms Maniphet suggests the
Toastmasters Club at Lao
American College (LAC)
every Saturday at 10am.
Having a good foundation
in English would help with
the screening test as this is
required as a second step in
the Fulbright Scholarship
selection process.
Ms Maniphet explained
the secret to getting 135/150,
the highest test score of 2015.
“There is little time between
knowing that you have got into
the first round and the screening
test. So you should practice
beforehand. The TOEFL paper-
based test is great practice
material, especially the older
versions because the test rarely
gets updated.”
Another crucial point to
consider is your motivation
and inspiration for wanting a
scholarship.
Ms Maniphet suggested
individuals to search for
what they want to do in life.
She urges students not to
only study but also to attend
extracurricular activities
because it will help them
challenge themselves and
also learn from others.
“I exposed myself to
different fields while I was
studying Bachelor of English
Studies. This is so that we can
decide what we want to do,
what we’re good at and what
will make us happy,” Ms
Maniphet said.
“I’m lucky that my parents
Out of all the seven
exchange programmes to
different countries and
countless volunteer work
she went to, College Major
Guidebook Project and the
US Global Undergraduate
Exchange Programme
(UGRAD) to the US had the
biggest influence on her.
College Major Guidebook
Project is a collection of fields
of study in university to help
students decide what to study
and what occupation they
could do from that major.
“I was lost myself when
I tried to decide what I
wanted to study. So I was
very thankful for this book.
Students from high school
have trouble deciding what
university course they should
take, so this book helps,” Ms
Maniphet said.
The UGRAD programme
also opened her to community
service. It showed her that
other countries have got
facilities and support which
Lao people lack. But Lao
people have the potential
too, only that they don’t have
much opportunity. She wants
to create opportunity for those
people.
Once you know what
drives you and you have a
goal, it’s time to do research.
Ms Maniphet read a lot about
business and the courses
offered in the US.
She choose to study Master
of Social Entrepreneurship
which is a course focused on
how to generate income that
is an investment. They want
to know that you’re not going
to disappoint them and the
money is not wasted on you.
You need to show that you
have the ability to expand
their investment in a big
scope. They want to make
sure that when you come
back, you are able to spread
opportunities to others,” Ms
Maniphet explained.
Lastly, you must think about
your future plans and how it
will affect the community. No
one would give a scholarship
to a person who does not know
what he or she wants to do in
the future.
“I want to create a learning
centre that provides a network
for students who are lost and
connect them to professionals
to get mentorship,” Ms
Maniphet said.
She plans to create a
studio where students from
high school age to even
university level can come to
train, listen to professional
talks and attend workshops.
With the motivation and
goals in mind, you are ready
for the interview which is
the final round determining
who gets the Fulbright
Scholarship.
Right now, Ms Maniphet
is working at the World Bank
as a Communication Assistant
and awaiting her education
in the US which would start
around this summer.
•Thipphaphone
Channavong is an intern at
Vientiane Times

Vientiane Times
Read more news at www.vientianetimes.org.la
A worker walks past a pile of steel pipe products at the yard of Youfa steel pipe plant in Tangshan
inChina’s Hebei Province-
Chinese steelmakers suffer
heaviest loss in 2015
BEIJING (China Daily,
ANN) -- Chinese steel
producers experienced their
worst year in 2015, with
combined losses in primary
business soaring 24-fold from
2014 to over 100 billion yuan
(15.5 billion), an industry
association said on Thursday.
The sector was “in
severe winter” last year as
over capacity and tumbling
steel prices squeezed profit
margins, said Liu Zhenjiang,
Party chief and secretary
general of the ChinaIron and
Steel Association (CISA), at
an industry meeting.
Taking investment
returns into account,
the country’s steel mills
recorded a total loss of
64.5billion yuan in 2015,
after a combined profit of
22.6 billion yuan in 2014.
“The sharp downturn
sent life-or-death signals to
some companies and posed
Samsung, LG seek performance
revival via flagships
SOUTH KOREA (The Korea
Herald, ANN) -- Korea’s top
tech giants are expected to
enjoy improved sales from their
mobile businesses, industry
watchers said on Thursday, as
their flagship smartphones just
released in March are boasting
better-than-expected sales at
home and abroad.
The average daily sales
of Samsung Electronics’s
Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 Edge
smartphones are estimated at
15,000 units in Korea, with
accumulated sales estimated
at 400,000 units, industry data
showed.
Local analysts earlier
said Samsung sold around 10
million units of the new flagship
series in the first quarter around
the globe, with the annual sales
expected to reach 45 million.
Business
grimchallenges for our
business in 2016,” Liu told
the meeting.
Steelmakers have been
in deep water in the past few
years as a result of shrinking
demandand huge excessive
capacity built up in decades
of rapid expansion.
CISA members saw their
combined return on sales
drop into negative territory
last year from an average
of 0.44 percent in the
2012-2014 period and 2-3
percent between 2008 and
2011,according to Liu.
The steel price index
also plunged, down 55.6
percent from October 2011
to mid-December2015.
Although signs of
improvement have been seen
this year, the oversupply
situation remainsunchanged
and there is a significant
chance that steel exports
will decrease this year,
The average daily sales
of LG Electronics’s G5
smartphone at home are
also estimated at 10,000
units. Others said the initial
performance at least doubled
from the G4.
Industry watchers said the
improved sales came as the
Galaxy S7 and G5 smartphones
boast competitive features that
grabbed consumers’ attention.
The Galaxy S7 and Galaxy
S7 Edge smartphones, first
showcased at a trade fair in
Spain in February, come with
improved batteries and are
water and dust resistant. The
company also brought back
the micro SD card slot that had
disappeared in the Galaxy S6
series.
The G5 smartphone is
touted as the industry’s first
Liusaid.
The steel price index
rose for three months in a
row from January to March,
but producers still posted
11.4 billion yuan of losses
in January and February
combined.
Liu urged steel firms to
stay calm about the price
upturn and step up their
efforts to cut capacity,
curb output and improve
efficiency.
China’s steel industry,
the world’s largest, is a
major target of nationwide
campaigns to reduce over
capacity and upgrade
production as part of the
country’s efforts to battle
economic headwinds.
China’s economy grew
by 6.9 percent, the slowest
pace in 25 years, in 2015,
due to an industrial glut,
cooling property investment
and sagging foreign trade.
“Modular Type” smartphone,
which connects with various
accessories from a camera
controller to high-end audio
systems.
On the back of the robust
sales, Samsung said through
a regulatory filing Thursday it
is believed to have posted an
operating profit of 6.6 trillion
won (US$5.6 billion) in the
January-March period, up
10.37 percent from the same
period last year.
Analysts added LG
Electronics may post an
operating profit in the second
quarter of 2016. The company
has been suffering from
sluggish smartphone sales, with
its mobile business posting an
operating loss of 43.8 billion
won in the fourth quarter of
2015.
Local fuel distributor
to enter Asean market
Times Reporters
A major local fuel supplier,
Petroleum Trading Lao
Public Company (PTL),
plans to expand their business
operations to neighbouring
countries as the opening of
the AEC presents a good
opportunity for investment
expansion in Asean.
The company is not only
focused on the expansion of
its market share locally; so far
it has representative offices
in Thailand, Myanmar, China
and Malaysia.
“And soon we will have
offices in Cambodia and
Vietnam,” the company CEO
Mr Chanthone Sitthixay said
recently.
“We hope to have offices
in Asean countries within the
next three years to ensure
regular fuel supply and
connections,” Mr Chanthone
said.
“Soon we will open petrol
stations in Myanmar and
Thailand.”
“What we plan to do is
become a sample or model
to show that Lao companies
can do as other companies in
Asean have done, including
funds, management,
Cabinet nod for fiscal deficit
target for states
New Delhi (The Statesman,
ANN) -- The union cabinet
on Wednesday approved the
fiscal deficit target of 3 percent
for states, as recommended by
the 14th Finance Commission
for 2015-20.
The commission has
also provided for year-to-
year flexibility for additional
deficit, and the cabinet
gave its approval to two
flexibility options, a cabinet
communique said.
The panel has provided
additional flexibility to a
maximum of 0.5 percent over
and above the normal limit
of 3 percent in any given
year to states that have had
a favourable debt-gross state
domestic product (GSDP)
Exchange rates as of April 8, 2016
Banque pour le Commerce Exterieur Lao Public
Foreign Currencies
US Dollar 50-100
Thai Baht
Euro 50-500
knowhow and human
resources.”
“We want to let others
know that Lao businesspeople
can expand their business
operations to regional and
Asean markets.”
The company was
established in 2008 and now
it has the second coverage
in terms of market share; the
largest coverage is the Lao
State Fuel Company.
Currently the larger
foreign companies try to
enter and compete in local
markets while PTL, a smaller
competitor, is also trying to
participate in the fuel supply
competition in their countries
as well.
He said that the company
can compete in the market
because he believes that
the decisions of the smaller
operator will be faster and
the expenditure will also be
lower than what the large
companies have to spend.
“Our disadvantage is the
product capital or cost is a
little expensive; however the
advantage is our management
costs are lower as we have
few steps and faster working
methods. We have studied
and see that we still have a
ratio and interest payments-
revenue receipts ratio in the
previous two years.
“Since 2015-16 is already
over, the states will not get
any benefit of additional
borrowings for 2015-16.
However, the implications
for the remaining period of the
commission award, that is,
2016-17 to 2019-20, would
depend upon respective
states’ eligibility based on
the criteria prescribed by
finance commission,” the
statement added.
If a state is not able to
fully utilise its sanctioned
fiscal deficit in any particular
year from 2016-17 to 2018-
19 period, it will have the
option of availing of this
Buying Selling
8,101 8,141
231.12 232.85
9,199
9
Saturday April 9, 2016
gap to compete with them,”
he explained.
“The bigger companies
have cheaper production
costs but their management is
costly due to their many steps
and divisions.”
“Our company’s capacity
in other fields is lower
than those companies in
neighbouring countries;
however our business
expansion capacity is similar
to them.”
“And we also have the
ISO certifications to certify
management standards,
similar to those big
companies.”
PTL has listed on the Lao
Securities Exchange (LSX)
and it is a company of local
businesspeople which is
seeing strong expansion.
PTL is ready to provide
stable fuel energy to be a part
of the continued development
of Laos.
It imports petroleum from
suppliers in neighbouring
countries, mainly from
Thailand.
So far Laos has more
than 15 fuel suppliers now,
according to the Lao National
Chamber of Commerce and
Industry.
unused fiscal deficit amount
only in the following year,
but within the commission
award period.
Any additional
borrowings availed beyond
the state’s entitlements
would be adjusted from the
net borrowing ceiling of the
following year.
Besides, there is no
financial implication for
the central government as
the borrowings are made
by the respective states
within the fiscal deficit
limits laid down by the
finance commission and
incorporated in the Fiscal
Responsibility and Budget
Management Act of the
states, the statement said.
9,245
10 Business Saturday April 9, 2016
A general view of the Raffles Place financial district in Singapore,
Singapore edges past
Hong Kong as world’s No
3 financial centre
SINGAPORE (The Straits
Times, ANN) -- Singapore
edged past Hong Kong to
become the world’s No 3
financial centre, according to
a survey by London-based
research firm Z/Yen Group
released on Wednesday.
Singapore ranks behind
London and New York, and
two points ahead of Hong
Kong on the Global Financial
Centres Index. Tokyo came in
in fifth.
Singapore’s two-point
lead, is fairly insignificant,
according to the report. It
came in fourth in the previous
survey in September last year,
behind Hong Kong.
The semi annual survey
is based on the responses
of 2,520 financial-services
professionals.
London remained just
ahead of New York to retain
the number one position.
However, the report noted
that the two centres “are
complimentary rather than
purely competitive”.
Govt’s Gini ratio target too
ambitious: NGOs
INDONESIA (The
Jakarta Post, ANN) -- The
government’s aim of reducing
the national inequality ratio,
known as the Gini ratio, from
0.41 to 0.39 in 2016 is too
ambitious according to one
activist, who points out that
Brazil took 15 years to reduce
its Gini ratio from 0.59 to
0.54.
International NGO Forum
on Indonesian Development
(INFID) programme manager
Siti Khoirun Ni’mah said the
main problem with inequality
in Indonesia was the high
number of people with a
limited education.
“Limited access to jobs
in the labor market is one
It noted also that a number
of respondents commented
that the uncertainty
surrounding the possible exit
of Britain from the European
Union, dubbed Brexit, is
having a negative impact on
London’s competitiveness at
present.
The ranking reflects
performance in key
areas including business
environment, financial
sector development and
infrastructure of the 86
financial centres around
the world covered by the
survey. Evidence of a centre’s
performance in these spheres
is drawn from a range of
measures like external
indexes.
The historical dominance
of the leading centres in
Western Europe and North
America has eroded over
time, Z/Yen Group said. The
mean rating of the top five
centres in these regions is
now lower than the mean of
the top five centres in the Asia
cause of inequality, especially
for a labor force with low
education levels, such as
those who did not graduate
from high school,” she said
at a press conference on
Wednesday in Jakarta.
The government, she
urged, should “lend a helping
hand” and facilitate job access
by obliging companies and
institutions to organise job
training for applicants who
didn’t finish high school.
The Central Statistics
Agency (BPS) recorded
unemployment in Indonesia
at 5.9 percent in 2015; 7.45
million people out of a
labor force of 128 million.
Forty-five percent of those
Asean Economic Community
Pacific region, it noted.
Said Mark Yeandle,
associate director at Z/Yen
Group: “While London and
New York still lead the field,
the next three centres are all
Asian”.
The latest survey also
noted that Western European
centres remain “mired in
uncertainty”. Of the 29
centres in this region, 12
centres rose in the ratings and
17 centres fell.
In the North American
region, fortunes were mixed.
Financial centres in the
United States like New York
and Washington DC rose
in the ratings, but the three
leading Canadian centres fell
in the ratings.
In the Asia Pacific
area, seven of the top 10
centres saw a fall in their
ratings, though the ratings
of Singapore, Tokyo and
Beijing rose slightly. Of the
top ten centres in this region,
Seoul and Sydney showed the
largest falls.
unemployed did not finish high
school.
At the same time, Indonesia
is currently entering the
Asean economic community.
According to Siti, Indonesian
workers must be prepared to
compete with workers from
neighboring countries.
She urged the government
to proactively facilitate
job access, calling on the
Education Ministry and
Finance Ministry to allocate
more funding to job training
for the less educated. She
suggested a further allocation
of Rp 20 trillion (US$1.5
billion) to Rp 30 trillion, or
roughly another 20 percent of
the total education budget.
Asean does not need single
currency, current model fits
KUALA LUMPUR (The
Star, ANN) -- Asean’s
current development model
is appropriate at this point in
time and it does not need a
single currency, said Minister
in the Prime Minister’s
Department Abdul Wahid
Omar.
He said the current
development model, which
consisted of three main pillars,
namely political-security
community, economic
community and socio-culture
community, fitted well for the
region.
“The European Union has
its own set of models, which
goes beyond a single market.
“They have a single
currency, European
Parliament, European Court
and others. That was never the
intention for Asean,” he told
reporters after the Association
of Chartered
Accountants
Certified
President’s
Debate 2016 yesterday.
He added that Asean did
not believe in having a single
currency like the European
Union (EU) does.
“When it comes to
monetary policy that is
certainly not in the agenda.
“I believe there is a lot
more we can do. I believe
the opportunity is great if
we follow through with
our commitment towards
success without the need to
adopt the EU model,” he
noted.
Unlike the EU, in which
the formation of a monetary
union with a single currency
Air New Zealand to start flying to PH
PHILIPPINE (Philippine
Daily Inquirer, ANN) --
New Zealand’s national
carrier is set to launch direct
flights between Manila and
Auckland by the end of this
year, boosting connectivity in
time for the celebration of 50
years of diplomatic relations
between New Zealand and
the Philippines.
Air New
announced on Wednesday
Zealand
a further expansion in its
Pacific Rim network, saying
the new year-round service
beginning December would
operate three times a week
using its Boeing 767-300
aircraft.
Attention Vientiane Times subscribers
of which is equipped with a lock and key, help protect your paper from
inclement weather. Those interested in obtaining a box should contact
the Vientiane Times office or call us at: Tel: 336042; Fax: 336041
represents a major element
in realising its economic
integration, the Asean region
had come to a decision some
time ago, in the early 2000s
based on a study byAsean
central banks, that a common
currency would not be
pursued.
Bank Negara Governor
Tan Sri Dr Zeti Akhtar Aziz
had earlier mentioned that
this is because the Asean
economies did not have the
pre-conditions to achieve
such a monetary union,
and the effort to achieve
such pre-conditions would
involve immense cost to our
economies.
“It was therefore
concluded that the region
would instead be better served
by greater regional financial
integration to achieve the
very same objective of a
shared economic prosperity
for the region,” she said.
The Asean region has
experienced a long term
annual average growth of
more than 5 percent, much
higher than the global
average, and this is expected
to be sustained going forward,
she said.
Collectively, Asean
is now the sixth largest
economy in the world, with a
population of 630 million and
a combined GDP of US$2.5
trillion.
With a young population,
Asean has the third largest
labour force in the world, after
China and India. By 2020,
Asean is expected to account
Air New Zealand chief
executive Christopher Luxon
said he was confident the
service would attract Filipinos.
“The Filipino population in
New Zealand has more than
tripled since 2001 and is now the
third largest Asian ethnic group,
with around 40,000 Filipino
residents in New Zealand.
The number of visitors from
the Philippines also continued
to grow rapidly, up more than
20 percent in the past year
alone, so we’re anticipating
that demand for this service
would be steady in both
directions.”
He said the non-stop
service would be more
We at Vientiane Times would like to
inform our subscribers that we now
offer newspaper boxes for use in
homes and offices. The boxes, each
Vientiane Times
for more than US$2 trillion of
additional consumption to the
world economy.
However, Wahid
explained that Asean can
be made more effective if
there are improvements on
strengthening institutions,
such as the Asean Secretariat.
Currently, the Jakarta-
based secretariat only has 300
international staff, a budget of
just US$16 million.
In comparison, the EU has
30,000 staff and a budget of
US$120 billion
“Perhaps we can
strengthen it with more
funding and resources which
will in turn help drive all the
initiatives to grow the region
better,” he said.
Meanwhile, Wahid added
that the minimum wage for
employees that will increase
by RM100 to RM1,000 per
month in the peninsula is
reasonable.
“I don’t think a thousand
ringgit per month is
unreasonable.
“I think its a reasonable
level and my view is that
if businesses felt that its a
bit too high then they have
to look at ways on how to
improve the productivity and
review the business model to
reach out to customers and so
on,” he added.
He said that the
Government took into
account various factors,
including recommendations
from the committee that has
been set up before making the
decision to increase wages.
convenient to travelers since
flight time between Manila
and Auckland is just around
10 and a half hours. The
current option takes about
two and a half hours more.
Tickets for this direct
service would go on sale
middle of this year, subject
to government and regulatory
approvals.
This new service gives
travelers between Manila and
Auckland additional flight
options. Last year, Philippine
Airlines also launched a
four-times-a-week flight
to Auckland, with a one-
hour stopover at Cairns in
Queensland, Australia.
Vientiane Times
Too Hot for Chocolate
A worker at a cocoa farm in Klang, outside Kuala Lumpur.
IPS (Longitude - Italy) -
In the last months of 2014
breaking news shocked the
world’s chocolate lovers:
within a few years the world
could face a significant
potential cocoa shortage due
to climate change.
The news that by 2050
there might be not enough
cocoa to make one of the
most loved and affordable
luxury products came as a
bolt in the blue in a year
when the chocolate industry
enjoyed record global
revenues of US$117 billion.
Such a relevant performance
was driven by a 2.1 percent
increase in volume, reflecting
above all a growing appetite
for chocolate in emerging
markets.
The single biggest factor
improving the industry’s
performance is in fact due
to a significant increase
consumption in many major
emerging markets such as
India, Brazil and China. The
potential long-term growth
in emerging economies –
many of which have growing
middle classes – is vast.
To give just one example:
the per capita consumption
of chocolate in China is only
a tenth of that in Switzerland.
Yet the future is not without
challenges because in the
last four decades cocoa
production, which is
already under pressure due
to unsustainable farming
techniques and lack of
investments by smallholder
farmers, will be significantly
challenged by climate
change.
Combining the above-
mentioned factors with the
rising demand for chocolate
from China, Brazil and other
emerging markets as well,
the cocoa industry is likely to
face supply shortages in the
near future.
According to a study
released by the International
Center for Tropical
Agriculture, temperatures
in some regions of Ghana
and Ivory Coast, which
together account for more
than 60 percent of global
cocoa supply, would become
unsuitable for cocoa growing.
The objective of the study,
which was partially financed
by the Bill and Melinda Gates
Foundations, was to design
future climate scenarios to
predict the impact of climate
change on the suitability for
growing cocoa in the main
growing regions of Ghana
and Ivory Coast.
In Ghana and Ivory Coast
the yearly and monthly
rainfall will decrease slightly
by 2050, except for coastal
areas in Ghana, but the yearly
and monthly minimum and
maximum temperatures
will increase by 2030 and
continue to increase by
2050.
Overall climate becomes
less seasonal in terms of
variation throughout the year
with temperature in specific
districts increasing by about
1.2°C by 2030 and of 2.1°C
by 2050 and less seasonal in
precipitation with the number
of dry months decreasing
from four to three.
The implications are
that the distribution of
suitability within the current
cocoagrowing areas in
Ghana and Ivory Coast in
general will decrease quite
seriously by 2050 because
of the temperature increases.
Higher temperatures mean
that more water evaporates
into the air from leaves and
earth, leaving less behind
for cocoa trees – a process
called “evapotranspiration.”
Climate change will
increasingly affect weather
patterns around the world,
as well as water availability
and agricultural productivity.
The cocoa tree only grows
in equatorial climates where
significant areas of land may
no longer be suitable for
cocoa growing. Moreover,
cocoa is a major cash crop of
the tropical forest, and export
earnings from its sales form a
major part of the economics
of those countries in
equatorial Africa, Southeast
Asia, and Latin America
where small-scale family
farmers rely completely on
cocoa production for living.
According to the 2012
Cocoa Barometer Report,
around 90 percent of
world cocoa is produced
on small family farms,
with an estimated 20
million smallholders and
rural workers depending
directly on cocoa for their
livelihood. Cocoa trees play
an absolutely critical role in
rural life and many of these
farmers use the cocoa trees
like “ATM machines: they
pick some pods and sell
them to quickly raise cash
for school fees and medical
expenses.”
The decline in cocoa
production will uncover the
fragility of farmers’ reliance
on a single crop to make
a living and, even if some
areas remain suitable for
cocoa, this will happen only
when the farmers adapt their
agronomic management
to the new conditions.
Therefore, without
empowering and investing
in small-scale farmers, the
industry will struggle to
provide sufficient supply. In
fact, these small-scale family
farmers, most of whom
have never tasted a bar of
chocolate, live in chronic
poverty.
Without a strong and
effective intervention from
major chocolate companies,
it is more likely that they
will simply switch to more
lucrative crops like palm
oil or rubber, accelerating
the negative trend in cocoa
availability. In this context,
chocolate companies have
to invest more money in
sustainability programs to
improve the livelihoods of
cocoa farmers.
According to the Earth
Security Index 2015,
multinational companies
as well as countries like
Switzerland, which is the
global hub of the lucrative
chocolate trade, need to
do much more to prevent a
future supply chain crisis.
Some companies, for
example Barry Callebaut
(which alone processes
almost a quarter of the
world’s cocoa beans),
are encouraging cocoa
farmers to plant shade trees,
including valuable timber
trees. These trees will not
only provide shade to protect
the cocoa trees, but they will
also provide an income when
the aging plantation has to
be replanted, bridging the
income gap until new trees
start bearing fruit. As clearly
stated in the study released
by the International Center
for Tropical Agriculture: “the
winners will be those who
are prepared for change and
know how to adapt.”
A local resident in Đắk Lắk’s Krông Năng Town pulls a 200m-long water pipe to bring water from a
stream to his dry coffee garden.
Vietnam, launches
battles against drought
Hanoi (Vietnam News,
ANN ) -- Central Highlands
province of Đắk Lắk has
invested VNĐ26 billion
(US$1.15 million) on drilling
bore wells and building water
supply projects.
The move aims to provide
water against drought to save
dry plants and help local
residents who face shortage
of water for domestic use.
According to Nguyễn
Tuấn Hà, deputy chairman
of the provincial People’s
Committee, as of April 4,
the province has nearly
37,000ha of dry plants,
whose productivity has
plunged by 30 percent to
70 percent. The total plant
loss has been valued at
more than VNĐ1.1 trillion
(US$49 million). Coffee,
pepper and wet rice are
among the crops that face
the maximum devastation.
As many as 188 out of
599 reservoirs in the region
have run dry, that is four times
higher than the number during
the same period last year,
statistics from the provincial
Saving Beira
BEIRA, Mozambique (IPS)
-- Mozambique’s second
largest city, Beira, is heading
for climate change-induced
disaster. Cyclones, floods,
storm surges and the rising
sea level are threatening to
annihilate this important
Indian Ocean coastal city;
a city which is strategic for
landlocked countries like
Zimbabwe and Zambia.
And the impoverished
residents have no idea how
they are going to save their
homes. Some are already
envisaging migrating from the
city. Joaquim Zimazi, from
Ponta Gea, a neighbourhood
in Beira, told IPS that he
watched his house succumb
to a massive tidal surge last
year.
Saturday April 9, 2016
Environment
People’s Committee revealed.
Currently, more than
20,000 ethic households
in Đắk Lắk Province face
shortage of domestic water.
The number is forecast
to reach 30,000 households
while crop losses are likely
to increase to 80,000ha by the
end of this month.
Several measures have
been initiated such as
constructing water pumping
stations along the riverside,
exploiting underground
water, in addition to dredging
rivers, streams and lakes, and
mobilising vehicles to carry
water to densely-populated
areas.
Residents from ethic
groups have been instructed to
release water from irrigation
projects with adequate supply
of water to projects in need of
water for watering coffee and
pepper gardens.
The local authorities have
also warned residents to save
water sources.
Meanwhile, the People’s
Committee in the central
province of Khánh Hòa has
“This angry sea is going
to swallow us all alive,” a
visibly scared Zimazi said.
In most coastal
neighbourhoods, sand bags
separate the angry sea from
houses. But some of these
crudely built sea walls are
succumbing to the pressure
from rising sea water.
The harsh weather
conditions in Beira have left
many residents worried about
their future amid reports than
more than 55,000 people in
Beira may lose their homes to
the sea in the next decade.
Experts have linked the
violent storms, floods and
cyclones in the city to climate
change. And according to a
report by the Mozambican
National Institute for Disaster
Management, there has been
11
--Photo tuoitre.com.vn
approved a project worth
US$9.4 million to upgrade
and repair its reservoirs and
dams.
A part of the capital
will be borrowed from the
World Bank by the central
government. The province
will be responsible for paying
a US$3.8-million loan and
its interest and the reciprocal
capital of US$0.5 million
from its budget.
From now to 2022, the
province schedules to upgrade
its reservoirs, which include
Suối Trầu, Láng Nhớt, Đồng
Bò, and Đá Mài, in addition
to Cây Sung, Suối Luồng, and
Suối Lớn và Bến Ghe.
The project aims to ensure
the safe operation of reservoirs
and dams, which would
contribute to protecting the
socio-economic infrastructure
in downstream areas.
The province has 19
reservoirs at present with
total designed capacity of
more than 248 million cu.m.
However, most of these
were built long ago and
downgraded.
an increase in natural disasters
in the country during the past
three decades.
Beira was built in the 19th
century by the Portuguese and
designed for at least at most
30, 000 people. But today the
population has ballooned to
more than 400, 000. And most
of these people live in poorly
planned settlements which are
vulnerable to climate change-
induced calamities.
“The sea destroyed my
house and I could not do
anything to save it, we tried to
use barricades made of sand
bags but they could not help.”
Zimazi said.
And in March this year
some areas in Beira were cut
off from the rest the city by
floods which were a result of
incessant rainfall.
12 Saturday April 9, 2016
Dining Out
Sep Eeli noodle soup, its taste
is more than just food
Bounfaeng Phaymanivong
If you are trying to avoid hard
foods or eat less meat, khao
piek pa or rice noodles with
fish meatballs can be a good
recommended meal for people
of every age to enjoy – it is a
local delicacy with a reasonable
price per one big bowl.
Nowadays it appears that
many people are in a rush to
get to work in the morning and
don’t return home until late at
night. A simple food for them
will be khao piek because it is
easy to eat and is on offer almost
everywhere in Laos, especially
in Vientiane.
The founder of Sep Eeli
noodle Ms Latsamy Vetsaphong
said recently “Personally I like
to eat noodles and tried to think
of my own taste and decided to
pick Sep Eeli up as an identified
brand in order to ensure Lao
people acknowledge the
meaning of this particular word
in Lao language.”
She says that Sep Eeli
noodle soup is now expanding
its branches to other Asean
countries and one of the reasons
is that it is more than just a
simple food as before, it is a
nominated Lao cuisine to be on
Australians and New Zealanders in Laos interested in attending
a dawn service to commemorate ANZAC Day are invited to the
Australian Embassy in Vientiane, on Monday 25 April 2016.
Breakfast will be served after the ceremony.
Time:
Attendees arrive at 5:00am
Ceremony at 5:15am
Please RSVP by 21 April.
Tel: 021 353 800
Email: austemb.laos@dfat.gov.au
Location:
Australian Embassy
KM4 Thadeua Rd, Vientiane
foreign meal lists.
One of the company’s
noodle branches has already
opened in Phuket province of
Thailand. This July, another
branch will be launched in
Yangon of Myanmar, and a
branch in Cambodia will be
opened in the years to come.
“I would say that the Lao
noodle franchise is the first ever
Lao food to expand its franchise
to foreign countries,” she says,
adding that the company plans
to add at least three to five
noodle restaurants in other
Asean countries over the next 10
years.
The Sep Eeli restaurant,
well known in Vientiane for
its fish flavoured noodle soup
(khao piek louk xin pa) or rice
noodle soup with fish meatballs,
is set to open more branches in
neighbouring countries in the
years to come.
She says many potential
business partners have expressed
interest in buying a franchise to
operate a Sep Eeli brand noodle
restaurant in both Europe and
Asean.
“During my recent
attendance to an Asean
businesswomen’s meeting
in Vietnam, a Vietnamese
Many Lao dishes are on the menu at one of the franchise restaurants at Vientiane Centre.
businesswoman approached
me and discussed buying a
franchise to operate in Poland
but a problem is the lack of well-
trained chefs from Laos to work
with them,” Ms Latsamy says.
She explains that if she sold
This Sep Eeli noodle soup is served with green bean sprouts. It’s excellent original taste is
characterised by soft fish meats.
franchises to foreign countries,
there must be Lao chefs to work
with them because local chefs
will understand the origins of the
food ingredients well.
In fact, Lao labourers are
also equipped with high quality
but the number of skilled
workers is still limited and it
remains a challenge for the Lao
government and business sector
as a whole.
According to Ms Latsamy,
there should be at least three Lao
chefs who are professionally
trained in specific areas of tasks
to work at franchise restaurants
in each country.
In the near future, Laos is
set to fully integrate with region
and international businesses as
well as working hard to improve
the legal systems and local
regulations as a move to ensure
Laos meets with the required
international standards.
In addition, the Lao
business sector will also need
to form groups in a bid to boost
production chains, especially
for the small and medium scale
enterprises (SMEs).
Noodle soup is small
business scale, owned by
individuals or families but it
can create greater opportunities
for business expansion when
the business operators are keen
to expand into a larger scale of
businesses by seeking more
funds and clearer business plans.
“I’m now applying for
funds from the SME Promotion
Department under the Ministry
of Industry and Commerce and
if my proposed business plans
were approved, it will be greater
opportunity to develop a variety
of products to be on sale at
domestic and Asean markets,”
she says.
She also hopes that one of
her outstanding products such as
Jeo bong or chilli sauce, a Lao
traditional food will have the
possibility of entry to foreign
markets because some foreign
buyers in Laos’ neighbouring
countries are also interested in
Lao traditional foods.
Ms Latsamy, who is also the
Managing Director of Mekong
Lao Export and Import Co.,
Ltd, says that the re-packaged
products of all kinds of chilli
sauces cooked by local chefs
will be among the first Lao
foods to go to foreign countries.
“These re-packaged
products are already on sale in
various franchises of Sep Eeli
noodle shops in Vientiane and
it is hoped that the chilli sauces
should be able to win the hearts
of Lao expats and people of
neighbouring Thailand and
Cambodia,” she explained.
Ms Latsamy is also one of
Vientiane Times
eight Lao businesswomen who
were honoured for their business
achievements at the 2nd Asean
Women Enterpreneurs’ Forum
in Vietnam last month. She was
nominated for her franchise
restaurant Sep Eeli noodle.
Ms Latsamy is seeking the
expansion of her franchises to
more than three to five Asean
countries over the next 10 years.
Meanwhile there are at
least 7-8 Sep Eeli noodle shops
at various shopping malls in
Vientiane and this year three
branches will open in Luang
Prabang, Champassak and
Attapeu provinces.
Khao piek or rice noodle
soup is a popular meal for people
on the go because it is easy to
eat and cook. Office workers in
a rush order a hearty bowl of
slippery long noodles for their
breakfast almost every day,
slurping down the satisfying
flavours with relish.
Presently the majority of
people are now thinking of their
health as a priority by prioritising
the best food with more organic
vegetables and fish along with
regular exercise. While the
noodle bowl has already become
a regular meal, Sep Eeli noodle
with fish meatballs may be
your next selection for the
taste of new innovation by a
Lao noodle lover.
Vientiane Times Saturday April 9, 2016 13
Children & Development
Health on wheels: mobile clinic
promoting healthy behaviour in Laos
A
mobile health clinic free country by 2015,” Dr
in Laos was sent out Chanhthy Keomanyvong,
on March 17 in the Director of Ngoi District
hope of improving Hospital and the mobile
the health conditions of vaccination and health check-
women and children. up team leader said.
This project targeted Dr Chanhthy also says that
women of reproductive age the Lao government is giving
and children in World Vision’s attention and investing in
target villages of Ngoi Area women’s and children’s health
Development Programme. to make sure that women of
World Vision Laos, in reproductive age and children
partnership with district are healthier.
health officials, operated a Jack, 22-years-old, brought
mobile clinic that provided her 5-year-old daughter to
immunisation, vitamin A
supplements, family planning According to
education, breastfeeding and the 2007 United
good hygiene campaigns in 27
target villages. Nations report,
Some 100 people were more than 1,700
reached, including women, measles cases were
children under 5 years (CU5),
and pregnant women. They recorded in Laos
received vaccines that prevent with about 3 percent
measles, polio, tuberculosis of cases resulting in
and hepatitis B and more
than 70 children received death. However, the A doctor checks the health for a man at Kiewkan village in the Ngoi Area Development Programme.
vitamin A drops. Following number of measles
son Somevang, had to gather all doctor present, have prenatal mobile health clinic operated drastically improving thanks
information sessions and incidences has his courage for the shots. “I was care or transportation to health by World Vision Laos and to these mobile clinics that
awareness raising, more than
100 villagers were reported to decreased more than scared at first, but it turns out I centres,” she recounted of her the district health office. offer services and information,
have a better understanding of 90 percent since the didn’t feel pain. I was distracted experiences. Health and sanitation in all while raising awareness.
by the health staff who were Today, Jack’s community villages across Ngoi Area --Source World
child care, proper hygiene and vaccination drive talking to me and asking me is regularly visited by the Development Project is Vision in Laos
breast feeding benefits.
Mr Somephone, a village was implemented. questions,” he shared.
chief, said that misconceptions
about immunisations push
people away. There is a fear
receive health checkups, by
the mobile health team in her
According to the 2007
United Nations report, more
than 1,700 measles cases were
Announcement
among parents that their village. “Both my children have recorded in Laos with about 3
percent of cases resulting in
children will get sick from the necessary immunisations. If
death. However, the number
The book “40 Years of the Lao PDR” in two languages - Lao
the vaccine. He spoke about it wasn’t for the mobile health
the importance of advanced clinic, they would probably be of measles incidences has
information sharing and sick,” she says. Her village is decreased more than 90 percent and English - is now available at the Vientiane Times office.
education for parents on the a 40 kilometres rocky journey since the vaccination drive was
benefits of vaccines. away from the district health implemented. The book consists of 213 pages and is divided into three
“The support in the centre, making it difficult “I learned that breast
implementation of this for her to access with small feeding can improve my baby’s parts: Laos in Brief; Achievements in National Protection and
national policy is helping children. immune system and prevent
mobile health teams access Jack and her husband infant diarrhoea,” Jack said. Development; and Vision of the Lao PDR.
women and children in rural responded positively to She asserted the importance
villages as well as support the the mobile clinic because of health care information,
MDGs. It also supports mother they received information services and awareness raising.
“I had difficulty delivering my
and child health care and the beforehand that put their
son because I didn’t have a
Information on all sectors of national socio-economic
goal of becoming a measles- worries at ease. Her 8-year-old
development, national protection and foreign policy as well
as international cooperation of the Lao PDR are included in
the book.
THE ASEAN SECRETARIAT
INVITES ASEAN NATIONALS
TO APPLY FOR THE FOLLOWING VACANCIES: The video DVD and CD of the “40 Years of the Lao PDR are also
1. SENIOR OFFICER ASEAN SOCIO-CULTURAL COMMUNITY available here.
(ASCC) ANALYSIS
In addition, the media directory book consisting of the
2. SENIOR OFFICER DISASTER MANAGEMENT & HUMANITARIAN
ASSISTANCE history, telephone numbers, emails and website addresses of
3. SENIOR OFFICER TRADE FACILITATION all Lao media organisations published in the Lao PDR is also
4. SENIOR OFFICER COMMUNITY RELATIONS available here. These books would make interesting gifts for
For details on Terms of Reference and application, please visit
www.asean.org/opportunities/vacancies-asec/
your friends. For more information call: 021 336042-8.
14 Saturday April 9, 2016
Poverty Reduction
Khammuan stepping out to reach
development goals
Meuangkham Noradeth
A
s Laos continues to
develop, officials in
Mahaxay district,
Khammuan province are
working non-stop to improve
communities recently
declaring Kaengsavang
village as a model of
agriculture development.
The district is playing its
part to realise the government’s
aim of developing all villages
nationwide so Laos can
graduate from the UN’s list
of least developed countries
by 2020.
Last month, Mahaxay
district officially declared
Kaengsavang to be an
agriculture development
village, which brings
Khammuan province’s total
number of such communities
to 5.
“The newly-awarded
village is home to 68 families
and each family have better
living standards through
agricultural production
and animal husbandry,”
Kaengsavang village Head,
Mr Dusit Litthikone said.
He added the village had
55 hectares of wet season
rice fields, 10 hectares of
dry season rice fields and 6
hectares for growing a variety
vegetables.
World Health Day: Rapidly rising diabetes closely
linked to poverty
Diabetes test, Mauritius.
UNITED NATIONS (IPS) --
Diabetes, which now affects
more than 400 million people
worldwide, is closely linked
to poverty in most regions
of the world, World Health
Organisation Medical Officer
Alessandro Demaio told IPS
“Agricultural production
techniques of villagers have
been improved and modern
technology has been used to
increase quality and quantity
of yields which has helped
villagers have enough for
personal consumption and
surplus for sale,” Mr Dusit
explained.
Growing rice during wet
and dry seasons is the main
work of local people along
with rearing cattle and goats
and also growing a variety of
vegetables along Xebangfay
River.
He said the village had
three agriculture technicians
to help villagers with farming
methods and the community
has one agricultural
production group.
Now in Kaengsavang
village 34 families have
become models of agricultural
production. Mahaxay district
officials have set the target of
an additional 2 more villages
and 100 families to be models
of agriculture development
this year.
Agricultural land plays an
important role in providing
villagers with enough rice for
consumption and surplus for
sale to earn more money to
use in improving their living
standards and wiping out
poverty.
Thursday.
Demaio, who specialises
in non-communicable
conditions and nutrition, said
that poverty is a risk factor for
diabetes across low, middle
and high income countries,
disproportionately affecting
Agricultural production is one important way to move out from poverty.
The villagers produce
a variety of crops, with
particular success in the
commercial cultivation of
rice and several types of
vegetables. District officials
are also encouraging villagers
to rear animals for sale and
personal consumption.
Mr Dusit said that the
naming of an agriculture
development village was
--Photo Nasseem Ackbarally/IPS
poorer populations, apart
from the absolute poor who
mostly live in low income
countries.
In light of the rapid
increase in the disease, the
WHO made diabetes the
theme of this year’s World
a method of encouraging
villagers to change their
lifestyles for the better
and help the government
develop communities across
the country.
Villagers’ living
standards in the district are
gradually improving and
officials expect they will be
able to declare basic poverty
alleviation soon.
Health Day on April 7.
“We’ve had an enormous
increase in the prevalence of
diabetes in the past 30 years,”
Francesco Branca, Director
of Nutrition for Health and
Development at the WHO
told IPS.
As of 2014 there were
422 million people living
with diabetes, compared
to 108 million in 1980.
Worryingly, Branca said that
“half the people with diabetes
don’t know,” particularly in
developing countries where
diagnoses can be limited and
health services may not have
the ability to do the required
glucose blood tests. In some
parts of Sub-Saharan Africa,
said Branca, health workers
have been known to mistake
the symptoms of diabetes for
malaria which they are more
accustomed to diagnosing.
The rapid increase in the
prevalence of diabetes is in
part due to “dramatic changes
in diets around the world”,
over the past few decades, said
Demaio, as well as “changes
in the environmental systems
that deliver these foods.”
Many of the people
He added that if villagers
actively worked to improve
their livelihoods, it would
not be difficult for Mahaxay
district to rise above
poverty.
Boosting commercial
agricultural production
is important in helping
Khammuan economic growth
and changing local living
standards.
affected are in so-called
middle income countries, but
they are often the urban poor.
For example said, Branca
there is “a very dire situation
in countries like India” where
people have been moving
away from the country side to
areas where they are exposed
to different life conditions
and a different diet.
For those in the poorest
countries, getting access to
treatment can be difficult.
Insulin, which is an
essential part of diabetes
management, isn’t available
at all in 23 percent of low
income countries, said
Branca. Health services in
developing countries are
also not equipped to treat the
complications of diabetes,
including limb amputations
and kidney dialysis, and, said
Branca, diabetes is now the
leading cause of blindness.
The high cost of accessing
health care for diabetes and
the disability it causes means
that diabetes can also lead
to poverty, said Demaio,
describing the relationship
between diabetes and poverty
as cyclical.
Vientiane Times
More funding support
from the government and all
sectors is needed to further
drive development in the
province.
The Lao government
defines poverty as not
having enough food, lacking
adequate clothing, not having
permanent housing or lacking
access to health, education or
transportation services.
Branca and Demaio said
that the sharp rise in non-
communicable diseases
has resulted in a different
approach by the United
Nations and the World Health
Organization to nutrition and
health-related issues.
The UN General
Assembly recently declared
the years 2016 to 2015 as the
decade of action on nutrition.
The focus on nutrition
now reflects a “a wider
conceptualisation of
nutrition”, said Demaio,
recognising that conditions
like obesity and diabetes are
also related to poor nutrition.
According to a Lancet
study published last week,
there are now more people
in the world who are
obese than underweight.
However, Branca added
that it is possible to be
both overweight and
undernourished in important
nutrients, particularly iron.
There are other connections
as well, for example in Latin
America it is common for
children who are stunted,
short for their age, to be
overweight.
Vientiane Times
Weightless tests push
boundary of knowledge
CHINA (China Daily, ANN)
-- With the launch of China’s
first microgravity satellite,
SJ-10, early on Wednesday,
scientists look forward to the
results of experiments that
could shed new light on a range
of questions, from biology
to the physical properties of
substances, in a weightless
environment.
The recoverable satellite
blasted off from the Jiuquan
Satellite Launch Centrw in
Gansu province at 1:38 am,
carried by a Long March 2-D
rocket. It will stay in orbit for
several days before its return
capsule heads back to Earth. The
orbital module will continue to
conduct experiments for a few
more days.
“Microgravity - the
environment created during
weightlessness - is an extreme
condition that changes every
physical phenomenon we
are familiar with, which is
why microgravity research
has been a science hot spot
internationally,” said Hu
Wenrui, the chief scientist
on the SJ-10 project, who is
a prominent physicist and
a member of the Chinese
Academy of Sciences.
For example, liquids
cannot be contained without
the use of containers on
Earth. But in a microgravity
environment, liquids can float
without a container, which
makes it possible to determine
the material’s characteristics,
to understand its chemical
reactions and to develop new
materials with new functions.
Microgravity experiments
are normally carried out in
various space facilities, such
as space stations, shuttles,
research rockets or orbiting
satellites. The SJ-10 is designed
to return to Earth.
“The recoverable satellite
is a useful and efficient tool
for microgravity experiments,
compared with space stations
and research rockets,” Hu said.
A research rocket, the
cheapest option for such
experiments, can create, at
most, a 10-minute period of
weightlessness for microgravity
experiments. A typical satellite
can stay a couple weeks in
gravity-free space.
Space shuttles and orbiting
Saturday April 9, 2016 15
Science & techno
space stations are much more
costly, yet less flexible than
satellites.
“For example, we are going
to send some stem cells and early
mouse embryos into space to
study their development under
microgravity conditions,” said
Kang Qi, a researcher at the
Institute of Mechanics under
the science academy and the
chief designer of the experiment
systems aboard SJ-10.
“To minimise the influence
of gravity on them, we will
assemble the samples only
eight hours ahead of the launch,
which would not be possible
if we were using a manned A Long March 2-D rocket carrying China’s first microgravity satellite, the SJ-10, blasts off at the
spacecraft.” Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre in Gansu province.
Designed in the shape of
a bullet, SJ-10 will carry out processing. the Ministry of Industry and institutional adjustments in
28 scientific inquiries. Eleven “We are not repeating any Information Technology and China’s space science bodies.
of the experiments will be experiments that have been other ministries, has solicited The science academy restarted
recovered on Earth, while the carried out by other countries. experimental projects for the it in 2011 as part of the larger
others will remain in orbit. Every single experiment is SJ-10 since 2005. Strategic Priority Programme
The experiments include new,” Hu, the chief scientist, The 28 experiments on Space Science, which plans
fundamental research in fluid said. selected were chosen from to launch four satellites by the
physics, research to enhance fire China’s space science 218 candidates collected end of 2016.
safety for manned spaceflight, authority, known as the from research institutes and The first in the program -
some biological experiments Commission on Science, universities, both in and out of focused on dark matter in the
to improve human health and Technology, and Industry for China. universe - was launched in
experiments related to coal National Defense before its The project was temporarily December and has begun to
combustion and materials functions were merged into laid aside as a result of collect data.

Thai tech start-up offers affordable Only one in five people

online financial tool for micro-SMEs
THAILAND (The Nation, informs a company about its
ANN) -- Launched early last business health, he realised
year, FlowAccount, which that having such a system was
offers an online accounting a costly matter for SMEs.
service developed for helping Therefore, he decided to
very small businesses handle turn himself from an SME
financial tasks, aims to serve owner into a tech start-up
10 per cent of the roughly total with the aim of developing an
2.8 million small and medium- affordable online financial and
sized enterprises (SMEs) in accounting service for micro-
Thailand within the next three SMEs.
to five years. The concept of
The tech start-up has also FlowAccount is to provide
set its sights on other markets such an online system, which
within Asean. is located on the cloud, for
Chief executive officer micro-SMEs with only one
Kritsada Chutinatorn, 32, to five employees through the
founded FlowAccount in an Freemium model.
attempt to address his own Basic accounting features
business pain-points. such as billing, purchasing
When running his own order and tax invoice are
small business, he faced provided free of charge.
problems in doing financial Users are charged Bt990
and accounting matters on his per year once they need
own, he said. advanced features such as a
While appreciating Non-Resident Withholding
that having a financial and Tax Certificate. The fee allows
accounting system was a three subscribers to use the
must for doing business, as it service on the cloud.
tell the truth on Facebook
“The beauty is that the
service can be used anywhere,
anytime and on a range of
devices. FlowAccount is
available via Web browser
and mobile application.
Small-business owners can be
flexible in using the accounting
system anywhere and anytime.
It is very convenient for them
and helps them to keep in
touch with their financial
statements,” Kritsada said.
Even though FlowAccount,
which already has around
8,000 users, currently targets
Thai-based micro-SMEs with
revenue of up to Bt10 million
per year, is available in both
Thai and English.
By the end of 2016, the
aim is to serve SMEs in nearby
countries within Asean, while Representational Image.
the company sees SMEs
throughout the region as LONDON (The Statesman, social media profile is not an Around 42 percent of
potential customers, he said. ANN) -- Less than 20 percent accurate representation of respondents felt that content
SMEs in markets across of people portray themselves their real lives. like “gushing about babies
Southeast Asia have common truthfully on social networking Almost one third of or partners” and handing out
pain-points to those in Thailand websites such as Facebook and participants said their profile cryptic complaints about other
and need accounting software, Twitter, a new UK-based study pages on Facebook and Twitter people was the most annoying.
but it is costly - something that has found. are “pretty accurate, just with Uploading too many
FlowAccount can solve for According to the survey all the boring bits removed.” selfies was the second-highest
them, he explained. of 2,000 Britons, just 18 Nearly 14 percent admitted ranking annoyance, voted for
To penetrate these markets,
percent represent themselves that their profiles make it look by 40 percent.
however, having a partner is
accurately, while the huge like they have a “much more Around a quarter of
the key to success, he stressed.
FlowAccount - winner in majority only post content active social life” than they Britons admitted to getting
the “AIS The Start-up 2015” which makes their lives look actually do, ‘ibtimes.co.uk’ into trouble after posting
contest - is partnering with more interesting to their reported. something on social media,
AIS (Advanced Info Service) friends and family. Conducted by Custard, a as well as getting into an
to deliver its online system to The results also showed digital marketing agency, the argument with someone over
SMEs in Thailand initially, and that men are more likely to lie survey also showed that the something they had posted
then across the region through through their social networking largest annoyance to British on social media, with politics,
the business network of profiles than women. social network users was religion and sexism being
SingTel, the Singapore-based Nearly half (43 percent) other people posting attention- the most popular topics of
major stakeholder in AIS. of men admitted that their seeking statuses. confrontation.
16 Saturday April 9, 2016
Travel
Exploring the deep north
Somsack Pongkhao
“
I could live a lot longer if I
kept breathing the fresh air and
eating the natural food here
in Khua district, Phongsaly
province,” a tourist says visiting the
region.
Yes, I had to agree with the tourist
after journeying to this deep northern
region of the country. It was a great
experience staying in Khua district for
4 days and 3 nights.
I went there with other Lao
journalists to cover stories about
European Union-funded projects in
Phongsaly province. This was my first
visit to this district. Yes, we felt very
tired on this trip but we had a lot of fun.
Located on Nam Ou River,
Khua district is surrounded by high
mountains and isolated from national
roads. It’s peaceful and tranquil and
has perfect weather (not too hot or
cold).
Life is moving slowly in the district
and it seems to me that although many
villagers remain poor, they live with no
pressure and have happy lives.
Nightlife here is not very
interesting. It only has one or two beer
shops with only a few customers, but it
does have some good accommodation
and restaurants. Food for international
visitors is also available here including
French fries. However, Nam Ou River
fish is the best dish I’ve eaten.
The mountainous scenery around
the district is breathtaking and
incredibly interesting being different
to anywhere else that I visited in
Laos before.
Serving as a popular tourists
destination, Khua district has become
a gateway between Luang Prabang,
the first World Heritage Site of Laos,
and Dien Bien Phu in Vietnam.
As it connects to Luang Prabang,
this route is well-known by tourists
from around the world who come to
explore the Indochina region.
Khua used to be the capital of
Phongsaly province some 40 years
ago before the capital relocated
to Phongsaly district. It’s 100km
on good road to the Lao-Vietnam
border which can be accessed by car,
bus and Songtheo.
Nam Ou River is the life blood for local villagers who use this river for fishing to earn a living and for consumption.
Vientiane Times
This is a wharf in Nong Khiew in Luang Prabang province’s Ngoy district, where tourists take a boat ride along Nam Ou River.
Boat trip
But the most interesting trip for
me is a boat ride along Nam Ou
River down to Nong Khiew in Luang
Prabang province’s Ngoy district. We
spent about three and a half hours
approaching Nong Khiew.
The boat trip is perfect. I had my
fingers crossed when the boat jumped
into a rapid. It’s so exciting when a
wave hits the boat which splashes
water on me. The water is very cold
but refreshing.
I hang on tight to my camera trying
to shoot some nice shots. The view
along Nam Ou River is stunning and
with wonderful forests still conserved.
The mountains along the route are tall
and rugged, but villagers still hunt
there for wildlife to eat and sell to Tourists inspect a schedule in Khua district, Phongsaly province for a boat ride along Nam Ou River.
markets.
Nam Ou River is the life blood for We then travel to Luang Prabang How to get there: Khua district which are located near
local villagers who not only use this by car to catch the flight back to You can fly to Oudomxay province the riverside. Restaurants can serve
river for navigation but also fishing to Vientiane. and take a bus or car to Khuan district Lao and foreign dishes to order. Fish
earn a living and for consumption. Nong Khiew which is about 2 hours drive. Or you from the Nam Ou River is the best dish
Along the route we can see white Nong Khiew is a stunning place can fly to Luang Prabang province here but it’s a little bit more expensive.
water buffalos, cows, birds, people situated on both sides of the Nam Ou and go to Nong Khiew by car or boat. How long to stay:
fishing and children playing and River and connected by a concrete Next, you take another boat to Khua I recommend that you can stay in
swimming in the river. bridge with a number of hotels, district. You can also go to Vietnam on Khua district for two or three days to
What I don’t like most from this guesthouses and resorts available. your way back home. explore several districts of Phongsaly
boat trip is prospectors digging and Western style food is also to be had but What to do: province. If you like peace and quiet
searching for gold along the river local food is the speciality. Trekking to experience how local you can stay longer.
which could impact on the ecosystem. Basically many Lao dishes villagers earn a living. Boat trips and The price of a boat trip:
The water level is very low at including sticky rice, papaya salad, if you go there by car, you can visit A boat trip along Nam Ou
this time of the year, but when we grilled fish and chicken and so on surrounding districts or go to the Lao- river from Khua district to Nong
approach Nong Khiew, the water are available. The weather is very Vietnam border. Khiew ranges from 120,000 kip
level is higher due to a dam built nice to go with the food and there What to eat: to 150,000 kip depending on the
some 50km downstream. are other facilities here. There are three good restaurants in number of people.
A lot of water buffaloes are seen in Nam Ou River in Phongsaly province.
Vientiane Times Saturday April 9, 2016 17
Art & Leisure
Special concert
promotes road safety

Sack and Tai are set to perform at a live concert to celebrate Lao New Year at Chao Anouvong Park.

Lao artists get set to celebrate

Lao New Year
A road safety themed stage play Modkiengphorlao is performed by the Faculty of Social Sciences,
National University of Laos. Sisouphan Amphonephong as Alex and Ley and foreign on the first day in Pakxe
DJ Huy DX will serve the of Champasak province,
People who do not yet have entertainment to visitors and while Mega band, Katai and
Visith Teppalath Before the concert a stage launch, Vientiane Mayor Dr plans for the Lao New Year audience members. Namfon will be performing

A
special concert
entitled ‘Drink
Don’t Drive’ was
held in the lead
up to Lao New Year as part
of Road Safety Week 2016
on Wednesday at Chao
Anouvong Park, Vientiane.
Local performers Sam,
Kai Over Dance, Toun Diva,
Tar A’Pact, Temple Guys,
V4M, 54U, Angel 69, and
others took to the stage to
entertain the large crowd.
Besides the concert,
various booths were set up to
promote road safety and the
health risks of alcohol to the
public.
According to the
organisers, all activities were
to highlight the impacts of
alcohol on society and the
problems caused by over
drinking.
play named Modkiengphorlao
was performed by the Faculty
of Social Sciences, National
University of Laos, who were
the winning group from a
contest to mark National No
Alcoholic Beverages Day last
December.
The event was organised
by Ministry of Health,
and attended by Vientiane
Mayor, Dr Sinlavong
Khoutphaythoune, officials
and the public.
Recently figures showed
that people aged 15 and
upwards consume an average
of 15 litres of alcohol per
year, mainly in beer, with
consumption rates increasing
steadily each year in Laos.
This is the highest rate of
all Asean nations and most
countries in the Asia-Pacific
region.
Speaking at the campaign
Sinlavong said “I think the
slogan Drink Don’t Drive is
important in protecting lives
from road accidents. If people
are drinking and driving they
will be arrested by traffic
police.”
“Pa Mai Lao should be
an occasion when families
get together to celebrate not a
time when people suffer from
accidents or illness resulting
from drinking”, he added.
Popular singer, Mr Sam
said during his performance
he was very happy to take
part in the concert and also
warned about drinking and
driving.
“Drinking and driving is
wrong. Everyone should not
drive after drinking and we
should not drink too much.
We should be more careful
when celebrating the New
Year or any event,” he said.
celebrations this year should
not miss the live concert of
Lao artists and entertainment
activities which is set to take
place at Chao Anouvong Park
from April 13-16.
Artists from Indee
Records such as Whisper,
Katai and Sack will perform
on April 13, the first day of
the celebration, to serve the
audience with an entertaining
atmosphere. The lineup will
feature DJ Taiy, MC Linjee
and MC Got, Lao DJ Window
and Mint as well foreign DJ
Breatz.
Meanwhile the Black
Eyes, Whisper and Zouza
will perform on the big stage
the following day alongside
foreign DJ Alexiz and Lao
DJs such as DJ Bae and Olay.
On the third day of
celebrations, Boxer, Sack and
Metallic, and Lao DJs such
The final day will feature
Sack, Black Eyes and Boxer
as well as Lao DJs such as DJ
Leng, DJ Taiy and foreign DJ
Schuduei.
Indee Records Production
Artist Manager Mr Adisack
Lattanavong , said the concert
this year is bigger than last
year, not only on the stage at
Chao Anouvong Park but also
at Lao ITECC Ocean Park.
The winner of the Pepsi
Singing Contest this year will
also join the live show at the
Pepsi booth and Music Zone
at Chao Anouvong during the
four days of celebration.
Meanwhile Indee artists
will also join to showcase
their performances both in
Savanakhet and Champasak
province for the celebration
of Lao New Year.
Namfon, Mega band,
and Metallic will showcase
the following day.
Whisper, Katai and Zouza
will feature on the third day
and Zouza and Whisper on
the final day.
In Savannakhet province,
Metallic will showcase
their performances on April
14 while Mega band and
Namfon will be performing
the following day and Mega
band and Katai on the
following day.
BN Entertainment’s artist
Everest band, Phae and other
bands will join a live concert
with Lao and Thai DJs at
Khamfong Beer Garden from
April13-16 to celebrate Lao
New Year at Phongthong
beach in Champasak
province.
Back in Vientiane,
Inpeng Water Park will also
organise a pool party named
Songfangkhong on April 9.

Mr Sam belts out a tune. Kai Over dance and Toun Diva sing together.
Black Eyes and Metallic will also be among the performers.

Online advertisement
Advertising your products at www.vien-
tianetimes.org.la will bring benefits to
your company. Customers around the
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products via the Vientiane Times website.
For more information please contact:
Tel: 336042, 336048
Fax: 336041, Email: itvtimes@gmail.com
18 Saturday April 9, 2016 Vientiane Times

What’s On
Where to go during Pi Mai Lao New Year Concert Miss Pi Mai Lao
The public is urged to support the beautiful young Lao ladies
Music fans in Vientiane can join the fun of a live concert
onstage for the Nang Sangkhan Contest (Miss Pi Mai Lao)
featuring well known local artists and foreign DJs as part of
taking place on Sunday.
Lao New Year celebrations.
Where: ITECC Mall 7th floor
Where: Phamxay Stage, Mekong riverside located at Chao
When: April 10
Anouvong Park
When: April-13-16, from 11:30 am

Pi Mai Lao holidays

This year sees four consecutive public holidays for Pi Mai Lao
celebrations.
When: April 12-16 Concert celebrating Lao New Year Buddha image consecration
Where: Nationwide
People in Champassak province Devotees are invited to attend a Buddha image consecration
Pi Mai Lao celebrations in Champassak should not miss the chance to join ceremony. The ritual of Porn Beesim will start from Friday April
Khamfong Beer Garden to meet 1.
Champassak traditional and religious activities over the Lao and greet with famous artists and Where: Vat Sibounheuang, Hormtay village, Hadxaifong
New Year include: Nang Sangkhan beauty contest, cultural DJs from both Laos and Thailand district.
dance performance, wax castle procession, and a fair selling
to celebrate Lao New Year. When: Saturday April 9, 7pm.
‘One district, One product’ goods. There will also be a concert
Where : At Phonethong Beach in For more information call 020 2822 5545.
and a singing contest. The World Heritage Site Vat Phou will
have various religious activities, as well as a market fair selling Champassak province
local products. When : April 13-16, starting from Mini Thailand Week 2016
When: April 11-16 12 am
Where: Champassak Mini Thailand Week 2016 in Luang Prabang features Lao-Thai
products and is organised by the Thai Ambassador’s Office in
Celebrate Pi Mai Lao in Luang Prabang Frangipani Garden Laos to celebrate Lao New Year.
When: April 7-14
Luang Prabang residents will host the hugely popular Pi Mai Where: That Luang esplanade, Luang Prabang province
Don’t know where to go over Pi Mai Lao? How about visiting
Lao celebrations, so book flights and accommodation well in
advance.
the Frangipani Garden featuring more than 5,000 blooming
frangipani trees with over 200 different species from around
Sunflower Park
Activities: A trade fair; traditional cultural performances; the world?
popular Lao singers performing and a beauty pageant Sunflower Park, a
When: April 11-16. The restaurant is open on April 15 and 16
contest for Nangsangkhan. One of the main highlights is the new tourism attraction
Where: The Frangipani Garden is located on the road linking
procession of Pra Bang, one of Laos’ most celebrated Buddha the 450 Year Road to the National Stadium in Dongsanghin located along the
images, which gave Luang Prabang its name in 1512 (‘Luang’ village, Xaythany district, Vientiane. For more information Mekong Riverbank
meaning great or royal). The statue is carried in procession contact 5562 0109, 7772 2266 and 5478 7999. Admission is in the capital will be
from the former Royal Palace to Vat Mai, followed by hundreds 5,000 kip per person. Children under 8 years old are free. officially opened for
of monks in their bright orange robes. visitors for Pi Mai Lao.
When: April 13-16
Where: Luang Prabang
Asean Sand Sculptures When: April 13-16
Where: Sithanneua village, Sikhottabong district.
Enjoy Pi Mai Lao in Savannakhet Asean sand sculptures are on public display in Vientiane for Pi
Mai Lao along the Mekong Riverbank.
Savannakhet residents will arrange Pi Mai Lao celebrations to When: April 13-16 Free Rescue Services
promote tourism and culture. Where: Mekong Riverbank, Chanthabouly district.
Three free rescue teams are available on 24
Activities: Champhone, Kaysone Phomvihane and
hour standby in Vientiane :
Xayphouthong districts will prepare for more visitors to enjoy Architects and Engineers Expo 1. Lao Red Cross is providing free
various traditional and religious activities during the holiday.
Temples will take down Buddha images from their customary The Association of Lao Architects and Civil Engineers is emergency assistance, including at road
shelves so the public can pour water over them. There will organising its annual ALACE Expo 2016 this week. accidents, for members of the public who
also be Nang Sangkhan beauty pageant parade in Kaysone
When: April 7-10 need help. For more information call: 020
Phomvihane district, a trade fair at That Inhang stupa and a
free concert at Savan ITECC.
Where: Vientiane Centre 59966111
When: April 13 to 16 For more information, please contact 021 260 530. Where: Xiengyeun village, Chanthabouly
Where: Savannakhet
Charity Football Match district, Vientiane.
2. People who need help after a road
Buddha Image Consecration Lao-Thai charity football match between Lao All Star VIP FC accident or in any other situation where
Vs Thai Channel 3 stars there is danger can contact the Rescue
Merit makers can join the Buddha image consecration and When: April 24, 5pm-10pm, Tickets 15,000 kip Hotline Number of the Foundation for
Yodsorma ceremony taking Where: Chao Anouvong Stadium, Vientiane
place this week in Vientiane. Assisting the Poor People of Laos, Tel: 1623
Call: 020 2222 5149, 020 2223 4447
Where: Chaleun Vararam Where: The Rescue Centre is located
Temple, in Xaysomboune at Nonghay village, Hadxaifong
The Vientiane Times welcomes
village, Xaythany district district, in front of Nonghay temple, on
When: April 9-10 notices from members of the public Kamphaengmeuang Road.
More information contact: 020
3. People who need help after a road
54145106, 030 5281290 for announcement on this page. accident or other urgent assistance,
Book launch and exhibition Any events or functions open to please call the rescue hotline number of
the Association of Voluntary Rescue of
When: Opening reception on February 26. Exhibition runs until the general public are suitable for Vientiane Tel: 1624
April 10, entrance free Where: The Association of Voluntary Rescue
Where: T’Shop Lai Gallery, opposite Vat Inpaeng, Vientiane.
publishing.
of Vientiane is located in Nongsangthor
The book is available at the T’Shop Lai Gallery, Couleur d’Asie,
Contact: editor@vientianetimes.la village, Xaysettha district.
i:cat Gallery, Monument Books.
Vientiane Times Saturday April 9, 2016 Sports 19
Park Tae-hwan blocked from Joshua says emotions could
competing at Olympics in Rio
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) -- The South Korean Olympic committee has blocked former
get to him in fight vs Martin
Olympic swimming champion Park Tae-hwan from competing at this year’s games in Rio de
Janeiro even though he finished serving a doping suspension in March.
The Olympic committee said Thursday it reached a decision to uphold its rules that ban
athletes suspended for doping from competing with the national team for an additional three
years after the end of their suspensions.
“We reached a conclusion that revising national team selection rules for a particular individual
is inappropriate,” the committee said in a statement, adding that the decision is irreversible.
Park’s camp had argued that the rules, introduced by the KOC in 2014, were excessive.
Team GMP, Park’s management company, said the swimmer wasn’t yet ready to comment on
his future plans.
The 26-year-old Park, who won the gold medal in the 400-meter freestyle at the 2008 Beijing
Olympics, is coming off an 18-month ban after testing positive for testosterone in an out-of-
competition doping test.
Park, who also won silver in Beijing and added two more silvers at the 2012 London Games,
remains the only South Korean to win an Olympic medal in swimming.

Paris 2024 officials engage

public for new ideas on bid
PARIS (AP) -- Scalded by their previous manner. With this strategy, we offer the chance
failures to win Olympic hosting rights, Paris to everyone to have an impact on the bid. It’s
bid leaders want to engage with the public for not just a yes or a no. We want to share the bid IBF world heavyweight boxing champion Charles Martin (left) from the US and British Olympic super
new ideas. with people across France.” heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua pose for the media after speaking in a press conference at a
The Paris 2024 bid committee this week The first step of the plan took place hotel in London. --Photo AP
launched what they call the “the biggest ever late Tuesday with a meeting involving 200
public engagement initiative in Olympic bid youths, aged 15 to 25, from across France.
history,” offering the French public to devise There are three main themes for which the LONDON (AP) -- Home hostile crowd will bring the best even an issue,” Martin said.
ideas for the bid. public can have their say: Sport and Society, advantage was supposed to out of him. “When I first started boxing in
Paris, which hosted the Olympics in 1900 Economic and Regional Development, Games give Anthony Joshua an edge “I’m comfortable the heavyweight school I was
and 1924, failed in bids for the 1992, 2008, Celebration and Engagement. in his world heavyweight title everywhere I go. That isn’t in, those guys were 250 pounds,
and 2012 Games. France also decided not to The best 100 ideas that will come out of the fight against IBF champion anything new,” said Martin, big punchers, big heavy guys
bid for 2020 after Annecy was humiliated in different meetings being held until September, Charles Martin on Saturday. who wore a smart gray overcoat and I was 208 pounds, but I
the race for the 2018 Winter Games. or posted directly online, will be considered Yet the British challenger and scarf. “When I first fought knew how to be evasive and get
This time, bid officials took their time for inclusion in the Paris dossier. said Thursday he may struggle at Madison Square Garden, I out of the way. That’s never left
before announcing their candidacy, making Paris is competing against Rome, Los to handle the emotions of went in there and performed me.
sure their project would be backed by the Angeles, and Budapest, Hungary. The
government, the Paris city hall, and would International OlympicCommittee will choose fighting in front of 20,000 fans as such. Same when I fought at “They had the power to
enjoy a high level of public support. the host city in September 2017. at the atmospheric O2 Arena in the Barclays Center (in beating knock my head off. Did they?
The engagement strategy could have been Asked about the potential impact of his home city of London. Vyacheslav Glazkov for the No. I know how to move
better in the previous bids, Paris 2024 co- the engagement strategy on IOC members, Asked in the fighters’ IBF belt in January). my head and be evasive. I’m
chairman Tony Estanguet said on Wednesday. Estanguet insisted on the importance of head-to-head news conference “They are going to be technical in there, real true
“This initiative is the result of learning targeting the French first. if he is confident of handling screaming for their guy. That boxing analysts, people who
from the previous bids and also defining the “For now, we believed that our goal is to the occasion, the 26-year-old translates to love for me.” know the sport see the smart
best strategy to win,” Estanguet said in a build a bid which will leave a strong legacy for Joshua said: “Probably not. The mutual respect that things I do.”
phone interview. “From the beginning, we French people,” Estanguet said. “But for sure I’ll probably go out there and has existed between the Joshua accepted that he
have been concerned by the engagement, and it will also give us some strength to share this try to take his head off ... I’m fighters continued Thursday. was taking a risk by fighting
how we can really tackle this point in the best plan with the IOC later.”
not going to go out there and There was no trash talk or for a world title so early in his
dance around and try to evade finger pointing. Joshua spoke professional career.
Venus Williams loses in punches.”
Joshua won an Olympic
about “wanting to see blood”
and “going to war,” but it was
“But let’s scrap all this,
‘He’s only had 15, 16 fights’
Charleston; Kerber advances gold medal at the O2 Arena
in 2012 and has won four
mostly pleasantries by two men
facing the biggest tests of their
nonsense and just put two men
in the ring together who want
professional fights at the careers. it,” Joshua said. “This is just
CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) Vesnina against Laura rallying to move in front of venue, helping him to a 15-0 Martin has a reputation for me and Charles going toe to
-- Angelique Kerber felt the Siegemund of Germany. Putintseva, who was 0-3 all-
time against the US great. record since turning pro. All being a big puncher, but Joshua toe. We are big hitters, in great
same old, rhythm as last year Vesnina beat Lourdes
at the Volvo Car Open. Venus Dominguez Lino of Spain The 21-year-old his victories have come by might be even bigger. Not that condition.”
Williams wished that she did, 6-1, 6-3 while Siegemund Putintseva, though, dug in to knockout. it concerns the champion. It will be the first world
too, instead of bowing out of topped Mirijana Lucic-Baroni pull off the upset. Martin, however, said “Him being physically heavyweight title fight in
the tournament Thursday. of Croatia 7-5, 6-2. Putintseva fought through fighting in what could be a strong and powerful wasn’t London in 16 years.
The top-seeded Kerber, Kerber needed a third- five deuces - three of them
the defending champion,
advanced to the quarterfinals
set tiebreaker to move on in
her first match on Tuesday
with Williams a point away
from going up 3-1 - to tie the Rio Mayor: City Olympic
third set and then run out to
with a 6-2, 6-3 victory over
Slovakia’s Kristina Kucova.
night, saying many of her
errors came from making the a 4-2 lead. After Williams
rallied back a final time and
preparations not touched by scandal
Williams looked like she transition from hard courts
would join the reigning to the first clay event of the the large, stadium court crowd RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) -- Rio Petrobras that is shaking the before the Olympics open on
Australian Open champion, season. Kerber seemed to cheering her on, Putintseva
bore down to close out the de Janeiro’s preparations for country. August 5.
up 2-1 in the third set of her adjust quickly this time out
match. But instead, Yulia against Kucova. victory and beat a second South America’s first Olympics “If you can cite one Federal police investigators
Putintseva won five of the Kerber continued to gain former Volvo champion in have not been implicated in the accusation against the involved in the Petrobras probe
final seven games to oust the confidence in the season’s first as many matches. Putintseva spreading corruption scandal Olympics, I will stop here have said they are also looking
35-year-old American 7-6 (5), clay-court tournament. She defeated 2009 winner Sabine that grips Brazil, Mayor right now,” Paes told reporters. into Olympic contracts. A main
2-6, 6-4. needed a third-set tiebreaker Lisicki on Wednesday before Eduardo Paes said on Thursday. “Tell me one thing.” The giant suspicion is that constructors
Kerber will face Irina- to win her opening match her win over Williams, the “There are no charges Brazilian construction company fixed prices on projects.
Camelia Begu on Friday on Tuesday night. This time, 2004 champion here. against the City Hall,” Paes Odebrecht is involved in many A graft scandal would add
while Putintseva will face Kerber relied on her steady Putintseva jumped around said as he inaugurated the new venues to other construction to Rio’s Olympic woes, which
fifth-seeded Sara Errani, a groundstrokes and relentless after the victory, pumping her
fists and celebrating. Ranked marina for the Olympics. “I to ready the city. Company include severe water pollution
6-4, 7-6 (5) winner over No. returns to knock off Kucova.
10 seed Samatha Stosur. Begu Kerber broke her 61st in the world, she entered know everyone is crazy to find CEO Marcelo Odebrecht was in venues for sailing and
topped Puerto Rico’s Monica opponents’ serve seven times the match with a 3-14 record (some), but there is nothing. recently sentenced to 19 years rowing, the mosquito-borne
Puig 6-1, 2-6, 7-6 (4). and said she began to the feel all-time against players in the We are working with a lot of in jail for corruption connected Zika virus, and $500 million
No. 7 seed Sloane the excitement here she did a top 20. seriousness here.” to the Petrobras scandal. in cuts to keep the operational
Stephens, the lone American year ago when she captured Williams’ steady serve Paes has been a key games Paes is also getting pressure budget balanced.
left, will take on 14th-seeded the title. unraveled down the stretch: organiser but faces pressure from his own city legislature Ticket sales are also slow
Daria Kasatkina of Russia. “I think the feeling is She made seven of her 11 over construction contracts where Rio de Janeiro city with the games opening in
Stephens defeated 12th-seeded coming back like I had last double faults in the third set. linked to games projects. councilman Jefferson Moura - a four months. Only 50 percent
Daria Gavrilova of Australia year because right now, I’m Williams, who was
seeking her second WTA title Several construction member of an opposition party of about 3.5 million tickets
6-4, 6-3 while Kasatkina topped feeling much better on clay
US wild-card entrant Louisa again,” she said. this season and 50th overall, companies behind Olympic - has asked for an inquiry into allocated for Brazilians have
Chirico, 6-0, 6-4. Williams also overcame said the bounces did not go projects are also embroiled in the contracts. been sold. About 12 percent of
The last match Friday some issues after dropping her way in a match that lasted the massive bribery scheme He has said he hopes to Paralympic tickets set aside for
pits Russian qualifier Elena a first-set tiebreaker and three hours. at the state-run oil company complete an investigation Brazilians have been sold.
20
Saturday April 9, 2016 Vientiane Times

Sports

Liverpool holds Dortmund to draw in Europa on Klopp’s return

BERLIN (AP) -- Juergen
Klopp’s Liverpool held
Borussia Dortmund to 1-1 on
his return to his former club
for the first leg of their Europa
League quarterfinal, while
two-time defending champion
Sevilla and Shakhtar Donetsk
won away on Thursday.
Liverpool forward Divock
Origi scored against the run
of play in the first half, and
Dortmund captain Mats
Hummels headed in the
equaliser just after the break.
Roman Weidenfeller made
vital saves to deny Klopp a
winning return to the stadium
where he spent seven largely
successful years.
Klopp - who led Dortmund
to back-to-back Bundesliga
titles, the German Cup and
a Champions League final
appearance - was given a warm
but reserved welcome.
“I thought the respectful
quiet applause was perfect, no
singing, no calling,” Klopp
said. “For the 90 minutes I
was completely in the game.
Afterward, I was happy that I
could hug the lads again.”
Sevilla substitute Vicente
Iborra struck with seven
minutes remaining to put his
side in a commanding position
with a 2-1 victory at Spanish
rival Athletic Bilbao. It was
Sevilla’s first away win in six
European matches.
Shakhtar defeated Braga
2-1 with two goals against
the run of play, and Villarreal
defeated visiting Sparta Prague
2-1 thanks to a pair from Cedric
Bakambu.
Origi stunned the
Dortmund fans in the 36th
minute after being played
through with a header from
James Milner. Origi’s shot took
a slight deflection off Lukasz
Piszczek’s heel and inside the
left post.
Pierre-Emerick
Aubameyang and Marco Reus
went close as Dortmund sensed
an equalizer, but Origi should
have scored again before the
break when he was denied by
Weidenfeller.
Hummels ensured
Dortmund stayed unbeaten
in 18 competitive games this
season when he met Henrikh
Mkhitaryan’s floated cross with
a good header.
But the home side was
grateful to Weidenfeller for
a string of saves, the first a
brilliant low one-handed stop
to brilliantly deny Philippe
Coutinho.
“I’d rather have made a
save less and won the game,”
the Dortmund ‘keeper said.
Dortmund will be the
visitor in the return leg next
week: “We want to be the
first German team to win at
Anfield,” Hummels said.
Sevilla made the better start
in Bilbao with Ever Banega
hitting the post and Iago
Herrerin saving from Vitolo.
Bilbao recovered and Aritz
Aduriz hit the post before Iker
Muniain went agonisingly
close to breaking the deadlock.
Muniain set up Aduriz to
score his competition-leading
ninth goal two minutes into
the second half, but Timothee
Kolodziejczak equalized soon
after following a mistake from
the Bilbao captain. Muniain’s
poor header back to his
goalkeeper was intercepted Liverpool’s Jordan Henderson (left) and Nathaniel Clyne (right) challenge for the ball with Dortmund’s
by Banega, who set up Gonzalo Castro (centre) during the Europa League first leg quarterfinal match. --Photo AP
Kolodziejczak.
Iborra, who went on in the beat Braga ‘keeper Matheus Wilson Eduardo scored in the attempted kick out into the net.
74th, scored the winner nine before the break. It was the last minute to give Braga some Jakub Brabec equalized
minutes later. visitors’ first attempt on target. hope. with a header from a corner
In Portugal, Yaroslav Facundo Ferreyra put Bakambu got Villarreal off in first-half injury time, but
Rakitskiy scored after a corner Shakhtar in the driving seat the mark in the third minute, Bakambu picked his spot
with a volley that hit the ground for the second leg with 15 closing down Sparta goalkeeper to restore the home side’s
and took a slight deflection to minutes remaining, though David Bicík and deflecting his deserved lead an hour in.

Chen Long feels just right at home

despite complains all around
Defending champion Chen Long has adjusted well at Malawati Stadium.
SHAH ALAM, Malaysia (The Star, ANN) --
Defending champion Chen Long proved to be
very much at home at the Malawati Stadium as
he cruised into the men’s singles quarter-finals
of the Celcom Axiata Malaysian Open.
Despite several players complaining about
the poor condition at the stadium, the world
No. 1 was not concerned at all as he thrashed
Hong Kong’s Wong Wing Ki 21-17, 21-12 in
the second round on Thursday.
“I’ve heard some of my team-mates
complaining about how bad the stadium is,”
said Chen Long.
“But, having played two matches, I think
it’s a bit exaggerated, to be honest ... it just
needs a bit of adapting to because the draught
is strong.
“It’s still a tough condition to play in, but
I played pretty well and I can’t complain too
much.”
The two-time world champion will face
compatriot and world No. 7 Tian Houwei in
the quarter-finals.
“Houwei is one of the top three shuttlers
--Photo The Star
in China now and he trains hard. Anything
can happen in the match, so I’ll just have to be
prepared,” said Chen Long.
Home favourite and second seed Lee
Chong Wei, hunting a record 11th Malaysian
Open title, also breezed into the last eight with
a 21-18, 21-12 win over South Korean Son
Wan-ho.
“Wan-ho is a tough opponent ... at least to
me. I was playing against the draught in the
first game but I managed to hang on to win,”
said Chong Wei, who takes on sixth seed
Viktor Axelsen of Denmark next.
“Viktor has been playing well ... reaching
the final of the Indian Open last week.
“But I’ve never lost to him (in seven
meetings) and I intend to keep it that way.”
Malaysia’s other men’s singles representative,
world No. 41 Iskandar Zulkarnain Zainuddin,
crashed out after losing 7-21, 16-21 to world No.
5 Jan O Jorgensen of Denmark.
Jorgensen will take on fourth seed Lin Dan,
who overcame Thailands Boonsak Ponsana
21-15, 21-9, in the last eight.
Kila Column
Kila: The Lao word for sport
Underdogs triumph again
Shane Marshall won the National League pennant for the New
York Giants in 1951 over the Brooklyn Dodgers,”
Readers of this humble sporting column may it reported.
have noticed my numerous references to rank You have to spare a thought for the England’s
outsiders Leicester in their bid for a first English Ben Stokes who had his worst cricketing
Premier League title. nightmare come true in the final over.
Like a lot of people I love barracking for “I thought, ‘I’ve just lost the World Cup’.
the underdog in sporting contests except if ‘my I couldn’t believe it. I didn’t know what to do.
team’ is on the other side. The sporting media It took me so long to get back on my feet. I
around the world also loves a good ‘against the didn’t want to get back up. It was like the whole
odds’ story and Leicester’s efforts have all the world had come down on me. There weren’t
ingredients of great news copy as they’ve had any good things going through my mind. It was
to work extremely hard to get to where they are just complete devastation,” UK’s The Telegraph
now. This time last season they were battling just quoted him as saying.
to avoid relegation. The victory by the Windies men’s team was
Part of the appeal of underdogs is that a all the more amazing given the current turmoil
small part of every sport fan thinks “That could Caribbean cricket is in. For those unaware the
be me in that situation”. We can relate to them as West Indies team is made up of cricketers chosen
we imagine that a side that is struggling and then from 15 countries around the Caribbean and
makes itself into a ‘champion team’ through the players have been embroiled in a protracted
sheer effort is closer to everyday reality. While dispute with the West Indies Cricket Board over
many of us fantasise about joining a ‘team of pay and conditions.
champions’ that dream is more of a stretch in Star players have been opting for the more
our minds. lucrative T20 Australian Big Bash and Indian
So going on with the underdog theme, it Premier Leagues instead of representing
was great to see the West Indies or ‘Windies’ the ‘national’ side. Although the team has a
winning the cricket T20 World Cup last Sunday. reasonable reputation in the T20 format no one
In fact, it was a double victory with the men expected them to win and they have also been
defeating England and the women victorious struggling in the longer forms of the game; 50
over Australia at Eden Gardens in Kolkata, overs and traditional test matches.
India. But rather than let all the off-field drama
The International New York Times noted the bother them the players used it as motivation to
West Indies were the first side to win the men’s show everyone what they were made of.
and women’s titles in the same championship In cricket mad India the West Indies’ recent
and were the first men’s team to win the World success and history was even being hailed
Twenty20 twice. as a lesson for budding entrepreneurs, www.
And what a game in the men’s final! England yourstory.com reported. “Entrepreneurs can
looked like they had their hands on the trophy learn a great deal from the history of the West
with the Windies needing a very unlikely 19 Indian Cricket team. There is no other team that
runs off the final over (six balls) from bowler faced off with such terrible omens and odds,” the
Ben Stokes. But no one told Carlos Brathwaite website said.
who smashed four consecutive sixes to steal the Now that’s taking your sport seriously.
match with two balls to spare. If you have any sporting events, results
The International New York Times compared and news ideas for the column please contact
it a to a famous home run in baseball. shaner.marshall@gmail.com or www.linkedin.
“Its victory over England had echoes of com/in/shanemarshall1
baseball’s fabled ‘Shot Heard Round the World,’ Shane Marshall is an avid sport fan and
the walk-off home run by Bobby Thomson that Vientiane Times Subeditor.