Thailand
Laos: PM urges cabinet to pursue development targets
Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith has called for cabinet members and provincial governors to curb overseas visits so they can maintain closer supervision of state affairs during the remaining two months of the year.
This is aimed at boosting attempts to fulfil this year’s development targets, government spokesman Prof. Dr Chaleun Yiapaoher told local media last week.
Mr Thongloun made the suggestion at the two-day government monthly meeting for October, as part of the government’s priorities for November.
The recommendation was made amid forecasts that the government is unlikely to achieve the macro-economic targets set in the 2017 socio-economic development plan.
The government told the ongoing 4th ordinary session of the National Assembly’s 8th Legislature that Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth was expected to reach 6.83 percent, falling short of the target of 7 percent.
Revenue collection was estimated to reach 98.11 percent of the plan for 2017, which was set at 23,941 billion kip.
“The Prime Minister asked ministers and provincial governors to avoid unnecessary foreign trips during the last two months of the year in order to place a supervisory focus on assigned works for the remaining months of the year,” Dr Chaleun told a press conference last week.
State departments were told to exert continuous efforts to pursue macro targets, particularly the target for revenue collection.
“Prime Minister has assigned each sector to review and employ appropriate measures in line with the laws and regulations in order to properly collect revenue,” the spokesman said.
The cabinet was told to maintain a stable macroeconomy by ensuring the budget deficit is managed within the defined level approved by parliament, along with the management of inflation and product prices in local markets.
The relevant sectors were asked to remove barriers and streamline procedures to improve the investment and business operation climate using the one-stop service mechanism in a transparent manner.
Mr Thongloun told the meeting to continue facilitating the implementation of mega projects including the Laos-China railway, mining and hydropower projects, as well as investment in special economic zones.
In addition, he called for more attention to be paid to addressing issues caused by mega projects, particularly compensation payments and environmental protection, in order to minimise impacts.
The cabinet was told to give priority to the education, health and agriculture sectors, notably in poor districts, when recruiting new civil servants to take up 3,000 positions in state departments in 2018. The people selected must be competent and qualified.
The relevant sectors were told to provide technical assistance and prepare sufficient seeds and young livestock to boost agricultural production, while preventing seasonal diseases.
Mr Thongloun also called for proper preparations for Visit Laos Year 2018 in ways that made use of local potential.
He underlined the need to advertise and improve tourist attractions and services in order to pursue the target of attracting 5.2 million foreign tourists, while intensifying the Lao Tour Laos campaign to encourage Lao people to take vacations at home.
The premier called for the maintenance of political stability, security and social order conducive for socio-economic development, while tackling social ills.
The cabinet was also told to make proper preparations for the planned visit to Laos by Chinese President Xi Jinping this month.
Source: http://www.vientianetimes.org.la/FreeContent/FreeConten_PM.html