(KPL) Thailand tops the foreign investment in Laos with 1.5 billion US dollars invested in various projects in the last eight years, has said the Investment Promotion Department, Ministry of Planning and Investment.

The department said in its recently released report that the investment from Thailand made Vietnam and China the second and third largest foreign investment in Laos although they ranked first and third largest in the first nine months of 2008, in which Vietnam contributed 181 million US dollars and China did 111 million US dollars to the investment environment of Laos.

Thailand, also the first largest trade partner of Laos, ranked second in the list of foreign investment in the first nine months of 2008, which invested 173 US dollars in various projects across the country.

Top ten largest foreign investors in Laos in the last eight years include
1. Thailand, 2. China,
3. Vietnam, 4. France,
5. Japan, 6. The Republic of Korea,
7. India, 8. Australia,
9. Malaysia and 10. Singapore.

The total foreign investment in Laos has reached 6 billion USD, the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Laos reported.

Top 10 list of foreign investors in Laos is as follows:
1. Thailand, (1.355 billion USD in 169 projects)
2. China, (1.138 billion USD in 237 projects)
3. Viet Nam (535.7 million USD in 120 projects)
4. France (428.2 million USD in 58 projects)
5. Japan (420.3 million USD in 33 projects)
6. India (350.2 million USD in 3 projects)
7. Australia (330.8 million USD in 27 projects)
8. South Korea (294.4 million USD in 105 projects)
9. Malaysia (135.2 million USD in 33 projects)
10. Singapore (101.1 million USD in 22 projects)

Other countries that showed high foreign investment in Laos include Canada (ranking 11), Swizerland (ranking 12), England (ranking 13), Russia (ranking 14), Norway (ranking 15), Taiwan (ranking 16), United State (ranking 17), Germany (ranking 18), Poland (ranking 19), Italy (ranking 20)

Lao agencies attributed increases in foreign investment to the country’s open policy and political stability.

According to the Department of Foreign Investment Promotion and Management under the above ministry, investors from 37 countries and territories have invested in 1,031 projects in Laos.

Source: kpl and ecom

10 Budget Destinations Worldwide

With the euro reaching all-time highs against the U.S. dollar, sticker shock greets at every turn. Europe is now the land of the $15 sandwich.

Even Central and Eastern Europe are no longer the bargains they once were. Tourists have begun flocking to new hot spots such as Hungary and Croatia, and prices have risen accordingly. These days, to get the most bang for their bucks, budget travelers must venture farther afield, to places such as Southeast Asia, Africa and Latin America. The flight will be costlier, but once at the destination, there’s no shortage of exotic adventures—as well as comfortable beds—at discount rates.

ASIA

Bali: Tropical splendor on a shoestring.

A world apart from the unrest that sometimes grips other parts of Indonesia, Bali seduces visitors with its magnificent beaches, volcanic peaks and impossibly green rice paddies. The island, dotted with thousands of Hindu shrines and temples, is the stuff of escapist fantasies... more info >>

few dollars buys a lot of luxury here. Ten dollars to $20 affords a bunk in a simple guesthouse or an entire beach bungalow. Even Bali's most lavish resorts cost a fraction of what you'd pay in other beach destinations.

Laos: Tranquility off the beaten track.

Laos is one of the best bargains in Southeast Asia—and that's saying something, since most countries there are relatively cheap for travelers. Because tourism is only beginning to make inroads in Laos, visitors are not seen as mere revenue streams; locals extend a warm and genuine welcome.

Life moves at a languid pace in the former royal capital of Luang Prabang, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. French colonial architecture coexists with dozens of graceful Buddhist temples, and monks in brilliant orange robes stroll the streets. An inexpensive guesthouse is less than $20 a night, and open-air cafes along the river offer absurdly cheap French and Lao specialties.

Vietnam: A new era.

After decades of turmoil, Vietnam has finally achieved peace and stability. Today its fledgling market economy is revving up, and the country is welcoming an increasing number of Western visitors.

In the colorful and chaotic cities of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, visitors can rough it for a few dollars a day or get a comfortable room with air conditioning and hot showers for $30 a night.

In Halong Bay, you can kayak amid towering limestone formations; the city of Hue offers a wealth of ancient imperial sites. For tropical seclusion, head for Phu Quoc Island, where a simple beachfront bungalow costs $17 to $25.

India: Rajasthan, the land of princes.

India can be a challenging place to travel, but no other nation on earth offers such a thrilling mix of cultures, landscapes and spiritual possibilities. Adventurous travelers can get by on less than $20 a day — but even $40 to $50 a day will land some creature comforts and more elaborate meals.

First-time visitors might consider flying into sprawling, bustling Delhi before making a side trip to Agra's wondrous Taj Mahal. Then go off to tour the vast province of Rajasthan, with its outrageously ornate forts and palaces and jungles. In dusty-pink Jaipur, chaotic bazaars offer unbelievable deals on jewelry, pottery, fabrics and crafts. Another key stop is the city of Jodhpur, where the rooftops sport an intense shade of cobalt blue.

AFRICA

Zambia: Walk on the wild side.

An African safari doesn't have to involve forking over thousands of dollars to a U.S.-based tour operator. It's possible to book your safari after you arrive—cutting out the middleman and saving a wad of cash. You can even travel to the game parks independently.

South Luangwa National Park is a magnificent preserve, with leopards, elephants, zebras, giraffes and hippos roaming free. Just outside the park, budget chalets charge less than $40 a day—or less if for those willing to camp. Zambia is also home to another of Africa’s most stunning spectacles: Victoria Falls.

Tunisia: Move over, Morocco.

Morocco used to be North Africa's hub for backpackers, but prices are now on the rise as wealthy Europeans snap up vacation properties. Today it's Tunisia that beckons. It's a modern and secular society, where travel is surprisingly convenient.

Tunisia is a land of ornate mosques and Lawrence-of-Arabia desert landscapes. Bustling markets tout rugs, pottery and colorful crafts. Archaeological wonders await, from the ancient city of Carthage to glorious Roman ruins. After exploring the culture, basic rooms on a Mediterranean beach go for less than $15. For $50 a day, you'll sleep comfortably and eat well.

CENTRAL and SOUTH AMERICA

Honduras: Ecotourism on the cheap.

Costa Rica, which used to be one of the best-kept secrets in budget travel, is now home to luxury developments and thousands of tourists. Farther north, however, Honduras is still flying under most people's radar.

Like Costa Rica, this laid-back Central American nation offers a pristine rain forest that's alive with howler monkeys and multicolored birds. There is hiking, river rafting and impressive Maya ruins. The Bay Islands are home to world-class scuba diving and snorkeling. In fact, this is one of the cheapest and best places in the world for diving instruction.

Guatemala: Window into Mayan culture.

Guatemala combines natural splendor with a fascinating glimpse into Mayan culture, history and traditions. Antigua, the former capital city, is a cobblestoned gem full of colorful colonial architecture with lush volcanoes looming in the distance. The highland city of Chichicastenango is a don’t-miss, with its vast and colorful open-air market and the pristine blue waters of Lake Atitlán. But the highlight for most travelers is Tikal: The ruins of a once-great Mayan city.

Wherever you go, lots of simple bungalows and family-run inns host budget travelers for as little as $20 to $30 per night. In low-key local joints, you can dine for about $5.

Peru: Bargains from the Andes to the Amazon.

Peru offers some of the most rugged and diverse scenery in South America. Real shoestring travelers can get by on $25 a day, while $50 a day will put you up in mid-range hotels with style and character.

Cusco, a captivating colonial city high in the Andes, is best known as the jumping-off point for Machu Picchu. The city also has easy access to the remarkable ruins of Sacsayhuamán. If you plan on trekking to Machu Picchu, along the demanding—and sadly overcrowded—Inca Trail, you're now required to hire a guide, but you can also reach these haunting and majestic ruins via one of the most spectacular train rides on the continent.

Argentina: Still the best deal in South America.

Argentina has one of the few currencies that is faring even worse than the dollar. The result? An incredible steal for U.S. travelers, who are downright giddy with all the luxury within their reach.

Begin your trip in Buenos Aires, a city of grand boulevards and tango salons. The garden city of Mendoza makes a great base for touring the wine country or taking on a whitewater rafting challenge. Or fly to the ends of the earth to see the towering peaks and glaciers of Patagonia and stroll among the friendly penguin colonies at Punta Tombo.

—MSN.com

Lao sunlabob aims at making solar energy commercially viable yet affordable for the rural poor. It has succeeded in developing a commercially viable business model providing high quality solar PV systems to the rural poor at a price they can afford. The success and sustainability of the scheme place this project among 10 global projects shortlisted for the Ashden Awards for Sustainable Energy, popularly known as the “Green Oscars”.

Former US vice-president Al Gore will present the awards and more than 2,00,000 pounds (Rs 17 lakhs approx) of prize money to the winners at the Royal Geographical Society here on June 21.

“The Ashden Awards are a powerful reminder that well designed and managed local sustainable energy initiatives can tackle climate change while meeting the needs of local communities. Tackling these issues simultaneously - in both rich and poor countries - is critical to addressing the twin planetary challenges of climate change and sustainable development,” Al Gore said.

Sunlabob Renewable Energies Ltd from Laos will compete with contenders from Bangladesh, China, Ghana, India, Nepal, Peru, Philippines and Tanzania for the five awards and the prize money earmarked to help project expansion and replication in other communities both locally and nation wide.

A brief list of all 2007 international finalists follows: ... more info:.

BANGLADESH: Shidhulai Swanirvar Sangstha for building up a fleet of 88 boats that use solar energy to bring education, training and renewable energy supplies to over 400,000 people living in the remote Chalanbeel region of Bangladesh.

CHINA: Beijing Shenzhou Daxu Bio-energy Technology Company Ltd for developing and marketing an innovative stove design that replaces coal by burning widely available crop waste as well as burning wood much more efficiently.

GHANA: Deng Ltd for developing a viable and sustainable business for the provision of solar-home-systems to rural areas where access to grid supply is limited.

INDIA: BIOTECH for developing and installing biogas plants in Kerala that use food waste which is often left out in the streets to rot, to generate gas for cooking.

INDIA: SKG Sangha for improving the lives of rural communities in Karnataka, South India by supplying them with both dung based biogas plants for cooking and a specially designed unit that turns the slurry from the biogas plant into high quality fertiliser.

LAO PDR: Sunlabob Renewable Energies Ltd for developing an innovative and commercially viable business model which provides high quality solar PV systems to the rural poor at a price they can afford.

NEPAL: Centre for Rural Technology, Nepal for upgrading over 2,400 traditional water mills in the Himalayas of Nepal and so , improving livelihoods for millers and mill users and stemming the rise in diesel mills.

PERU: Practical Action for transforming the lives of over 30,000 people living in remote villages in the Andes by providing them with electricity generated by micro-hydro plants.

PHILIPPINES: Alternative Indigenous Development Foundation Inc. for developing a ram pump design built to last at least twenty years and for bringing clean water to over 15,000 people through the installation of these ram pumps in 68 hillside villages in the Philippines.

TANZANIA: Zara Solar Ltd. for providing high quality, reliable solar-home-systems at affordable prices to communities lacking access to a reliable source of energy.

source: http://www.ashdenawards.org/international_finalists_press_2007
www.sunlabob.com

(KPL) Approximately 80 trainees from Laos are sent for training in various programmes under the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC).

“So far, India has trained over 600 participants from Laos,” Mr Suresh K. Goel, Indian Ambassador to Laos said at the reception ceremony of India alumni on last Friday...more

Minister to Prime Minister’s Office, Prof. Dr. Bountiem Phissamay, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Phongsavath Boupha and Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Ty Phommachack attended the ceremony.

“India’s assistance to Laos under ITEC is mainly in the form of training officials in short and medium term courses,” Mr Goel said.

The entire cost of training under these schemes include return international airfares, tuition fees, accommodation, emergency medical treatment, stipend, book allowance and study tour are borne by the government of India.

The courses which have been availed by Laos range from remote sensing, rural development, parliamentary internship, banking and finance, small business and planing promotion, English language skills, business management, entrepreneurship development to advance training programme in information technology.

We have also set up an IT centre in Vientiane and have successfully completed training of a large number of Lao officials in software skills, Mr Goel continued.
“We will be sending Lao students for Master in Computer Application Programmes at the Indraprastha University, Delhi this year.”

The Lao-India Entrepreneurship Centre is another project having made valuable contribution to entrepreneurship development in Laos, especially in the small and medium enterprise (SME) sector.

Source: kpl.net.la