Ministry of Health and Cultiva signs MOA for research and testing facility

The Institute of Traditional Medicine, under the Ministry of Health, is partnering with Cultiva Company Limited to establish a research and testing facility and associated activities for the cultivation of medical hemp and agricultural crops.
The facility will enable internationally-accredited researchers and Ministry of Health staff to run a fully compliant testing facility to help test and regulate the cultivation of commercial, medicinal and hemp-based plants.
A Memorandum of Agreement on the project was signed in Vientiane on Monday between the Institute of Traditional Medicine and Cultiva Company Limited.

The document was signed by the founder and Director of Cultiva Company Limited, Mr Phonsavanh Alex Pham, and the Director General of the Institute of Traditional Medicine, Dr Bounleuane Douangdeuan.
The event was attended by Deputy Minister of Health Dr Sanong Thongsana and senior ministry officials.
Five months after the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the two parties, feasibility studies were successfully completed so the Memorandum of Agreement could be signed, representing another step towards setting up an international ISO certified research and testing facility.
Cultiva will develop the cultivation of medicinal, ethnobotanical and hemp plants.
The company will also explore seed genetics for commercial cultivation by carefully selecting the best strains that are suitable for the Lao climate.
By the third quarter, Cultiva will start construction of a commercial extraction and manufacturing facility for the export of products to domestic and international markets.
Dr Bounleuane said that under Memorandum of Agreement the two parties will carry out agreed areas of cooperation through joint participation in research projects.
The Institute of Traditional Medicine has allocated and reserved land for the construction of a laboratory for the research, testing and certification of plants for medicinal purposes.

Mr Phonsavanh Alex Pham said “Today is a testament, to show what dedication, passion and perseverance can truly accomplish. Cultiva and the Ministry of Health have been working diligently for the past five months after our previous signing in order to be here on this monumental day.”
“Our feasibility studies of the local and international markets have given us the confidence to further proceed to develop an International ISO certified research and testing facility, including the cultivation, extraction and production of commercial, medicinal and hemp-based plants and products for export to domestic and international markets.”
“I would like to express my greatest gratitude to the leadership within the Institute of Traditional Medicine, and the Ministry of Health, for developing this particular sector with Cultiva, and foreseeing the potential economic benefits it will bring to Laos and its people.”
“As we strive to move forward into the future, the Institute of Traditional Medicine and Cultiva are keen to provide future developments within the research and testing laboratory to enable Laos to become one of the leading countries in South-East Asia for high standard agricultural testing on an international level.”
“We look forward to the successful implementation of our Memorandum of Agreement, and breaking ground for our Research and Testing Laboratory Facility in first quarter 2022.”

By Phomphong Laoin
(Latest Update November 3, 2021)