NA outlines urgent tasks for govt at close of ordinary session

The President of the National Assembly (NA), Dr Xaysomphone Phomvihane, has asked the government to take tougher action to address public debt, high inflation, spiralling costs, and fluctuating currency exchange rates.
The call came when the NA President addressed the Assembly at the close of its 8th Ordinary Session on Thursday.
“Resolve public debt and debts owed to state investment projects with greater momentum,” he told the closing ceremony of the session, which convened on November 18.

Dr Xaysomphone Phomvihane addresses the National Assembly on Thursday.

The rate of inflation was recorded at 18.32 percent in November and, although lower than the 20.73 percent figure recorded in October, was far higher than the single-digit target set by the government for the end of 2024.
Dr Xaysomphone, on behalf of the NA, told the government Cabinet to strive to meet revenue collection targets through measures such as ending exemptions to law compliance that negatively affect revenue collection.
The NA also advised the government to invest more in upskilling the workforce and improvement of health services, and to increase the health insurance fund.
Lawmakers underscored the need to improve tourism-related infrastructure along with prioritising safety in a bid to attract more visitors.    
Assembly members recommended closer scrutiny of mining project proposals and hands-on regulation of excavation operations, in line with the relevant laws.
“Resolutely resolve low-quality and unprofessional [mining] projects,” Dr Xaysomphone told the closing session in the presence of President Thongloun Sisoulith, Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone, and Cabinet members.
The NA also advised the government to do more to address the teacher shortage and the school dropout rate, following reports of large numbers of students quitting school.
Reports suggest that the current economic hardship, driven by rising costs and high inflation, have created an added burden and impacted spending, including on education.
All of this advice was part of recommended measures to overcome the challenges facing the government and country and drive growth next year.
During the National Assembly session, lawmakers approved the 2025 socio-economic development plan, which targets gross domestic product (GDP) growth of 4.8 percent, slightly higher than the 4.5 percent target for 2024.
Progress made in amending the 2015 version of the Constitution was also outlined and debated. The final draft of the amended Constitution is expected to be debated and passed by the NA early next year.
Lawmakers also debated and passed two newly-drafted laws and amendments to seven laws.
The two new laws concern housing and job skill development. The seven amended laws relate to independent auditing, the Bank of the Lao PDR, education, civil case prosecution, the people’s prosecutor, Lao Women’s Union, and women’s development and protection.   
Key documents endorsed by the NA included:
-              2030 strategic development plan and 2040 vision on agricultural land management,
-              Work reports of the State Auditing Organisation and State Inspection Authorities for 2024 and 2025 plans,
-              Work reports of the People’s Supreme Court and Supreme Prosecutor for 2024 and 2025 plans,
-              NA work reports for 2024 and 2025 plans.

By Times Reporters
 (Latest Update December 13, 2024)