NA closes with support for domestic development agenda
 
The National Assembly (NA) conference has concluded with the adoption of several legal documents aimed to create favourable conditions for the government to implement the national socio-economic development plan.
The 8th session of the 8th legislature’s closing ceremony took place on Friday at the NA grand meeting at Km 6 in Vientiane with President Bounnhang Vorachit, NA President Pany Yathotou and Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith attending the event.
Delivering the closing remarks, Mrs Pany said over the past 20 days the NA conference had considered and approved eight new and revised laws and 10

resolutions to support the government’s implementation of the national development plan.
“The approval serves as a legal foundation to support socio-economic development,” she said, adding the approved legal documents were aimed to support the people, protect their rights and implement their obligations to the state under the constitution.
Other primary issues of the nation, which the 8th session of the 8th legislature of the NA considered and approved, included the endorsement of the appointment of new Minister of Planning and Investment and Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism.
The meeting also considered and approved the implementation of the National Socio-Economic Development Plan and Budget Plan for 2019 as well as the 2020 plans.
Mrs Pany said the NA conference effectively evaluated the efforts of the government to supervise ministries, local administration, entrepreneurs, and the public to confront difficulties and maintain political stability, social order and improve the livelihoods of people.
The meeting provided recommendations and measures for the government to address unresolved problems as well as how to achieve national development.
During the session, NA members performed their duty to inspect law enforcement and NA resolutions and regulations relating to revenue collection, land concessions, and immigration skill development and job creation.
In this regard, the NA urged the relevant sectors to strictly enforce the approved legal documents as well as amend and address barriers to the implementation of the legal documents, and enhance the responsibility of officials in performing their duties.
The work should be undertaken alongside the mobilisation of public participation in revenue collection, Mrs Pany explained.
The NA meeting welcomed the 2018 State Audit Organisation report, adding that it provided useful reference information for considering and approving the 2020 budget plan.
As part of efforts to utilise the state audit organisation findings, the NA meeting urged the government, Mayor and provincial governors to supervise their budget units and enterprises, which were audited to address the results of the investigation in accordance with the law.
The meeting also considered and approved reports from the People’s Supreme Prosecutor and People’s Supreme Court.
During this session, the NA conference held the first assessment of officials’ performance, with the assembly electing and endorsing appointments.  
Mrs Pany said the result of the assessment indicated that NA members have confidence in the officials which they elected and endorsed.
She said the result of the assessment would be useful information for the appointed officials, as well as motivate them to perform their duties more effectively.

ByEkaphone Phouthonesy
(Latest Update December 9, 2019)