NA session opens with economic recovery topping agenda

The National Assembly (NA)’s 8th legislature on Tuesday opened its three-week 10th ordinary session with debate set to focus on measures to restore the economy, which has been hard hit by the coronavirus pandemic.
Delivering the opening remarks, Assembly President Mrs Pany Yathotou said the session would consider and approve reports on the implementation of this year’s socio-economic development plan, budget and currency plans, and plans for 2021.

President Bounnhang Vorachit, Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith and other cabinet members were among those present at the opening.
It is expected that Assembly members will focus their debates on the steps needed to revive the economy next year amid the uncertainty of the Covid-19 pandemic, financial difficulties, and impact from natural disasters.
The year 2021 will see the start of the 9th five-year national socio-economic development plan (2021-2025).
The biannual session of the National Assembly will discuss a draft of the 9th five-year plan before submitting a final draft for further debate and approval by the NA’s next legislature. A general election of members of the 9th legislature is expected to take place early next year.
The session – the last of the NA’s 8th legislature - will also consider and approve urban planning for Vientiane, reports made by the State Audit Organisation on the results of the audit of the state budget for 2020, audit plan for 2021, and an audit summary report for 2019.
The Government Inspection Authority is scheduled to report the findings of its inspections of audited reports for the 2018, 2013-2014 and 2015-2016 fiscal years for the session to consider and approve.
Assembly members will also be briefed on the implementation of laws and regulations concerning the management of entertainment.
The People’s Supreme Prosecutor and People’s Supreme Court will report on their performances for 2020 and submit plans for 2021 for the Assembly to consider and endorse, Mrs Pany said.
The NA’s 8th legislature will report on the implementation of its five-year plan for 2016-2020, the plan for 2020, and the plan for next year.
The Lao Front for National Development will comment on the performance of the NA, which is Laos’ top legislative body and represents the interests of the multiethnic Lao people.
Lawmakers are scheduled to debate and approve five laws, comprising four newly-drafted laws and the drafted amendments of a law. The laws concern diplomatic rankings, youth, international cooperation in the fields of crime and higher education, and amendments on state auditing law.
With 2020 being the final year of the current 8th five-year national socio-economic development plan (2016-2020), the session is scheduled to discuss draft reports on the implementation of the plan, five-year state budget plan, and plans for the next five years (2021-2025).   
Assembly members will also share views on a draft of parliament’s next five-year plan.
Mrs Pany called for all state organisations to give their full cooperation and provide all the necessary information and explanations in response to questions raised during the session, which will end on November 17.

By Times Reporters
(Latest Update October 28, 2020)