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Laos: PM calls for more involvement of business sector in rural development
Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith has called for the business sector to get more involved in rural development and poverty reduction to help achieve its development goals.
Speaking at a gathering arranged to push for more national patriotic and development activities in the capital on Friday, the PM highlighted the significant role of private enterprises to expedite rural development across the country.
“I’d like the private sector to consider and invest in commercial productivity and improve services in rural areas where poor people live. This will help generate income and alleviate poverty and make positive changes in rural regions,” he said.
The PM said rural Laos has high potential to grow organic crops including rice for export, particularly to China and other Asean nations. Mr Thongloun’s advice took place after rural and mountainous areas as well as revolutionary regions have not been developed as anticipated over past decades.
High percentages of poor families have been reported in these regions, particularly those recorded in Phongsaly, Huaphan, Oudomxay, Xekong and Xaysomboun provinces.
The rural development in these provinces has not progressed as planned due to the fact that it relied too much on State budget. Specifically, the promotion of commercial productivity and generation of job opportunities for local people have not adequately been carried out.
Therefore, the government wants more involvement from the private sector to make greater positive changes in rural regions.
The PM told the gathering of more than 300 people including business operators that the government regards the business sector as a significant force to make positive changes in livelihoods of local people.
The PM encouraged all entrepreneurs to study the potential of local regions and help contribute financial resources to boost agricultureal productivity for export.
In the meantime, the PM said, government departments must assist entrepreneurs to invest more in rural areas based on the potential of different provinces.
Minister of Home Affairs, Mr Khamman Sounvileuth said Laos currently has 64,593 poor households, 1,536 poor villages and 23 poor district respectively.
A majority of poor villages lack road access, electricity and other facilities. Many villages still do not have primary schools and healthcare services.
Entrepreneurs said they are happy to invest in rural areas but called for the government to enforce a rule of law base for investment and incentives for the business community.
The government also needs to take into account the problems of business so that they can contribute more to generate income for local people and alleviate their poverty.
Over the past years, several Lao entrepreneurs have invested heavily in promoting agricultural production for export and improving services to attract more tourists to the country.
Several entrepreneurs have been awarded and congratulated by the government for their contribution to rural development and poverty reduction efforts.
Source: http://www.vientianetimes.org.la/freeContent/FreeConten_PM.php