Govt takes steps to tackle six urgent issues

The government has called for the sectors responsible to shoulder more responsibility in finding solutions to six pressing issues that are affecting socio-economic development.
The issues were tabled at the government’s monthly meeting held in Vientiane on July 23-24 when cabinet members discussed possible measures to address them.
The two-day meeting was chaired by Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith.
The first major issue was the current outbreak of dengue fever, which has claimed 37 lives and sickened at least 16,690 people.
The second topic was the epidemic of African swine fever. The deadly pig virus was first detected in Saravan province before spreading to other parts of the country including Savannakhet province and Vientiane. 

Third on the list was the infestation of sweetcorn crops by the fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) in Xayaboury province, which has destroyed 30 percent of 35,000 hectares of maize. The government has intensified efforts to contain the plague of caterpillars.
The fourth issue concerned the persistent drought, which has resulted in low river levels and affected rice and other crops. According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, only 40 percent of the country’s 800,000 hectares of wet-season rice has been transplanted.
The fifth matter of concern was the fluctuating exchange rate, the falling value of the kip in relation to foreign currencies and the depletion of foreign-exchange reserves, which has driven up product prices and is hindering economic growth.
The sectors responsible were instructed to boost productivity so there would be more goods for export, to facilitate business operators, and to attract more foreign tourists, as these would all boost economic growth.
The sixth issue related to posts on social media by members of the public commenting on state administration and management, which gave rise to discussions by the cabinet about the regulation of information posted on social media. 
Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith urged all government sectors to put in place effective measures to address these problems. 
All sectors must do more to ensure they fulfil the tasks assigned to them by the government.
Government members were requested to act upon the outcomes of the meeting and to ensure the sectors in their area of responsibility carried out essential projects and dealt with the matters planned for August. This work should be reported on to the Prime Minister’s Office on August 15.
Other issues debated at the meeting included the development and management of special and specific economic zones, preparations for the 2019 Roundtable Meeting, a draft decree on the policy for economic development in Xaysomboun province, and a draft decree relating to climate change.  
The government is expected to hold an extraordinary meeting on August 5 and to convene its next regular monthly meeting on August 21-22.

By Somsack Pongkhao
(Latest Update July 26, 2019)