PM gives advice on Bokeo’s transition to development

During a working visit to Bokeo this week, the head of government advised provincial authorities to strictly manage currency flow and exchange, do more to promote tourism, encourage greater use of locally-made goods, produce more goods for export, and cut back on the import of luxury goods.

Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone.

Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone also advised authorities to comply with the Party’s resolution to promote new ways of development to enable a robust and comprehensive transition to modern methods of administration.
The province should also follow the decree on determining responsibility for the implementation of the National Socio-economic Development Plan, the state budget plan and the currency plan for 2024, and the plan for correcting audit results.
Authorities were recommended to ensure that more of the funds coming into Bokeo, and payments in general, passed through bank accounts, so that more money enters the banking system.
Currency management needs to be stricter, including controls on money brought in for investment purposes, in line with the law.
In addition, authorities should cut down on imports and especially avoid importing luxury goods.
The province’s tourist attractions should be more widely advertised, in order to bring in more visitors, the Prime Minister advised.
The Governor of Bokeo province, Mr Buakhong Nammavong, reported on the province’s economic and social developments over the past year, saying that the province continues to enjoy political stability, law and order, and is actively working to fulfil the aims of the national agenda on resolving the drug problem.
The province’s economy grew by 4.8 percent in 2023, Gross Domestic Product (GDP) rose to 3,715 billion kip, revenue was recorded at 640 billion kip (136 percent of the target figure), and expenditure amounted to 341 billion kip, equalling 97 percent of the target figure.
In other areas of progress, 98 percent of villages in the province have access to clean water and public health services, while 85 percent of villages have been named cultural villages, 48 percent have been designated developed villages, and 59 percent of families have been declared to be developed.
Mr Buakhong also reported on outstanding issues and the direction of future plans, with the aim of developing the province in the best ways possible.
Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone outlined the main events occurring in Laos and other countries, including difficulties, limitations, and challenges to Laos’ economic and social development.
Dr Sonexay stressed that Bokeo authorities should place more emphasis on political education and the training of employees and the general public, so that they understand the reality of the ongoing difficulties and the ways in which the government is attempting to resolve them.
He also instructed local authorities to continue to build the political foundations for rural development and to alleviate poverty by creating create stable jobs so that people have a regular source of income.

By Times Reporters
 (Latest Update February 8, 2024)