(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.

Popular Malaysian singer-songwriter and actor Michael Wong will arrive in Vientiane next week, according to the World Vision Office to Laos yesterday.

Mr Wong will visit Laos from June 10-14 as World Vision Malaysia 's goodwill ambassador. He will visit development projects in Khammuan and Savannakhet provinces.

During his time in Laos Mr Wong will trek through poor rural villages to meet children and families living in poverty, and learn how he can respond to the needs of the communities they live in. He will also visit exciting projects to understand how community development works in Laos and how these projects improve the lives of poor people...more info>>

After his visit, Mr Wong will return to Malaysia to raise awareness and promote the fight against poverty in Laos and in other parts of the world.

He will be promoting a special campaign called the “30 Hour Famine” through which young people learn about poverty and are given opportunities to raise money and awareness to eradicate poverty and hunger around the world.

The hope is that through Michael Wong's personal experience and example, the youth of Malaysia will become more active in their support for those living in poverty, especially children.

Michael Wong has recorded over 8 albums and has 10 movie and drama appearances to his credit. He is in the Malaysia Book of Records as the Malaysian Chinese male composer with the highest number of awards and also for his best selling album entitled Tong Hua. He has earned 44 awards for his music.

Gaining more and more recognition globally, Mr Wong was recently appointed as Tourism Malaysia 's ambassador. His participation in the A Music records label in Hong Kong has also gained him more recognition in Asia .

World Vision is an international NGO working in 31 districts of 6 provinces in Laos to create lasting change for children, families, and communities living in poverty. Through child sponsorship funding, World Vision works in many sectors, such as mother and child health, food security, and education.

By Vientiane Times

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

Asian visitor arrivals to Laos surge

The steady increase in the number of visitor arrivals to Laos has continued, with a 29 percent rise during the first seven months of this year.

Visitor arrivals from January to July reached 887,842, up 29 percent from the same period last year, according to statistics from the Lao National Tourism Administration.

The figures indicate that Asean and regional visitors alone reached 765,255, up 35 percent compared to the same period last year, while there were 82,183 visitors from Europe , a 4 percent increase...more info

This period saw an increasing number of visitors not only from Southeast Asian countries but also non-Asean regional countries, especially Brunei , the Philippines , Singapore , India , Japan , and China .

People from European countries such as Greece , Germany , the Netherlands and Finland are also arriving in increasing numbers.

The only tourist group that did not increase in this time was visitors from central and South America , with only 36,250 during the period, according to statistics.

Thai visitors to Laos lead the way, with 519,288 (a 35 percent increase), followed by Vietnam with 155,754 (49 percent more than last year), and the US with 27,324 (a 1 percent increase).

“The increase in the number of tourists is due to our government's open-door policy to tourism, and the general stability of the country,” said the director of the administration's Department of Planning and Cooperation, Mr Sounh Manivong, yesterday.

“It's also the result of Lao tourism promotion efforts throughout the region and the world, from both state and private sectors.”

Mr Sounh said that Laos has become a well-known destination for visitors to Asia , and it is now easier to travel to and within the country, with upgraded transportation systems and more flights coming into the country from foreign airlines.

There have also been improvements in general facilities and services as well as tourism infrastructure, along with more visa exemption agreements with countries in the region that have allowed visitors to gain easier access to Laos , he said.

Most tourists arrive in Laos via the new Lao-Thai Mekong Friendship Bridge in Savannakhet province, and the border checkpoints from Thailand in Champassak and Luang Prabang provinces and Vientiane , Mr Sounh said.

By M.Vongsam-ang
Vientianetimes

Direct flights from Malaysia to Laos will be delayed until November, to allow time for office construction in Laos before opening the service, according to Director General of the Lao Civil Aviation Department, Mr Yakua Lopangkao.

Air Asia planned the direct route from Kuala Lumpur , Malaysia , to Vientiane , to begin this July, however late preparations have put the service on hold.

Mr Yakua, said the service will provide low-cost flights between the two countries, due to the expectation that demand for the service will increase in the future...more

Opening direct flights between Malaysia and Laos is part of the bilateral agreement to improve the air transportation sectors of the two countries. The objective is to create more convenient links for tourists and business people travelling across the region.

The flights are also expected to be beneficial for trade, cargo transport, and investment between both countries.

At present most people flying between the two countries have to transit in Bangkok , before continuing their journey.

In 1996, Malaysia Airlines offered flights to Laos but ceased operations in 1998 due to the Asian financial crisis.

Mr Yakua said the airline hopes to provide regular flights from November, but schedules will depend on customer demand.

Currently, the Malaysian Airbus 320 is planned to fly three times a week-on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

Mr Yakua said that in November China Southern Airlines will also open direct flights on a Boeing 737 aircraft from China to Laos . The Chinese airline will also offer flights three days per week.

At present there are five overseas airlines flying to Laos : Thai Airways International flies from Bangkok , Vietnam Airlines from Hanoi , and China Eastern flies from Kunming , all to Vientiane . Siem Reap Airways flies from Siem Reap to Pakxe, and Bangkok Airways flies from Bangkok to Pakxe.

Source: vientianetimes via laosmile