President makes first visit to provinces

Party Secretary General and President of Laos Thongloun Sisoulith visited Huaphan and Xieng Khuang provinces on Friday and Saturday in his first recorded visit as the country’s top leader.
Mr Thongloun made his first official visit outside of Vientiane following his election as Party chief and State President earlier this year.
He began the tour on Friday by visiting his hometown in Huaphan where he was informed about socio-economic development in the province.
Huaphan province Governor Mr Vanxay Phengsoumma told the President about the progress being made in agriculture production and how local people were struggling to rise above poverty, with 13.4 percent of households still living below the poverty line.

Mr Thongloun advised local authorities to do more to improve people’s living standards and to encourage young people to stay away from drug use and trafficking.
The province’s leaders needed to play an active role in translating the resolution adopted by the 11th Party Congress in January this year, putting it into practice and realising the province’s true potential, the President said.
The President told provincial leaders that the Resolution of the 11th Party Congress must be applied as a weapon to address all difficulties and unsolved problems of their province.
All policies and strategies formulated in Huaphan must be in line with the resolution, but provincial leaders are to be responsible for translating it, using innovation and welcoming new positive changes for the collective benefits of the nation.
Huaphan should also look at exactly how to implement the two national agendas relating to the resolution on economic and financial difficulties and drug abuse into its action plan, to address challenges amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
Provincial leaders were also told to combat corruption and extravagance. All Party members must act as role models in their actions and carry out their duties responsibly, in order to draw investment to Huaphan.
On the same day, Mr Thongloun visited Naxone, the village where he was born in Sopbao district, where he was warmly welcomed by district authorities and villagers.
On July 23-24, the President visited Xieng Khuang, where he was warmly welcomed by provincial Governor Mr Bounchanh Sivongphanh.
The Governor informed the President about socio-economic development in the province, particularly investment in cattle farms, with a view to rearing more animals for export.
Mr Thongloun also visited a dairy farm in Latsaen village, Phaxay district, which has been set up to export fresh organic milk products to countries around the world.
During his visit, the President placed a basket of flowers at the Kaysone Phomvihane Monument and Phoumy Vongvichit Monument to pay respect and show gratitude to revolutionary leaders who sacrificed their lives for their country.

By  Somsack Pongkhao
(Latest Update July 26, 2021)