Thailand
Laos: Economy grows fast, progress slower toward livability in capital
The economy of Vientiane grew at an annualised rate of more than 10 percent over the past six months, yet the implementation of targets for making the capital an increasingly liveable city has seen slower progress, the city’s Mayor told councilors gathered in the capital.
Vientiane Mayor Dr Sinlavong Khoutphaythoune reported on the achievements and challenges facing the capital and its administration in the first half of this year to Vientiane People’s Council on Tuesday.
Revenue raised by the capital reached 390 billion kip as at June 20, while industry remains the fastest growing sector, he said.
Despite revenue to the city’s coffers increasing over the past six months, the collection of taxation has yet to meet the target.
He said the administration assessed that the growth was increasingly harmonised among industry, services and agriculture, with food produced in the capital and surrounds sufficient for domestic supply and increasingly for export.
Urban development following the six indicators of clean, green, orderly, bright, charming, and prosperous was also reported.
The administration completed the creation of the city planning model and urban road development plan.
The initial survey on building an expressway parallel with Kaysone Phomvihane Road in the first phase was completed.
Work done on regulation development includes a draft Mayor Decree on Conservation Area Management, Decision on Management of National Esplanade and the Area around That Luang, Law on City Tax and draft Law on Capital City.
The administration is studying the draft Decision on People’s Road Fund, and structure of financial status and the addressing of public debt incurred by the capital.
According to the Mayor, implementation of the Decision by Minister of National Defence on Illegal Weapon Confiscation has begun in Vientiane.
Officials have been appointed by the administration to work closely with target villages for the development of secure and peaceful families and stronger villages in national defence while implementing measures against drug trafficking and abuse.
Despite achievements, the administration recognised that the progress in implementing the six indicators was slow.
The planning around some urban roads had been weak, and orderly traffic conditions had not yet been sufficiently attained.
Complications also remained around the management and use of land.
While justice in the city has improved, the list of disputes remained in significant numbers, including both new and ongoing cases.
The enforcement of court verdicts has also seen slow progress.
Meanwhile illegal and undesirable conduct continues including illicit drug dealing and substance abuse, road accidents, and other negative social phenomena.
The city administration has aimed to address issues relating to public disorder such as illicit drug and street racing, with the measures for the “peaceful Vientiane’ project to be implemented.
He confirmed the administration would follow the resolutions of Vientiane People’s Council, decrees of Prime Minister and decisions of the Mayor in implementation of the socio-economic targets without any proposals for amendments.
Source: http://www.vientianetimes.org.la/FreeContent/FreeConten_Economy_148.html