Mr Santiphab Phomvihane (left) replaces Mr Bounchom Ubonpaseuth (right). Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone (rear, centre) witnesses the replacement.

Newly-appointed ministers officially take up posts

The newly-appointed Ministers of Energy and Mines, and Finance officially took up their new posts on Friday.
Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone called for immediate action to address the economic challenges faced by Laos.
The two new ministers are among the three ministers endorsed recently by the Standing Committee of the National Assembly (NA)’s 9th legislature to replace their predecessors.
The Ministry of Public Works and Transport also saw the replacement of its top administrator. A ceremony held at the Ministry of Finance saw Mr Santiphab Phomvihane, former Governor of Savannakhet province, officially replace Mr Bounchom Ubonpaseuth as Minister and Party Committee Secretary at the Ministry of Finance. Mr Bounchom will take up a new post in Savannakhet.
Addressing the ceremony, PM Sonexay called for the ministry’s leadership headed by Mr Santiphab to play a full role in working to stabilise the economy, especially by reining in inflation, regulating exchange rates, and curbing rising fuel prices. He called on finance officials to take determined action to fulfil the national agendas on addressing economic and financial difficulties as well as the trade in narcotic drugs. In this regard, the prime minister underlined the need to do more to bolster domestic productivity in order to reduce the need for imported goods. The ministry was also told to take further action to modernise revenue collection and expenditure systems to prevent the loss of money.
The premier told the ministry to place a strong emphasis on repaying the debts owed in relation to state-funded development projects and the debts owed by state enterprises. In a separate ceremony, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence General Chansamone Chanyalath witnessed the former Governor of Saravan province, Mr Phoxay Sayasone, officially replace Dr Daovong Phonekeo as Minister and Party Committee Secretary at the Ministry of Energy and Mines. Dr Daovong will take up a new post in the province. The DPM said changes in leadership positions are common practice and part of the Party and state’s normal operating methods. He called for the ministry’s leadership headed by Mr Phoxay to do everything possible to fulfil the development agendas set by the ministry and government.

By Times Reporters
 (Latest Update February 6, 2023)