Deputy PM speaks on economic development
Deputy PM speaks on economic development
The Ministry of Planning and Investment hosted a meeting yesterday to discuss the country's development vision until 2030, socio-economic development strategies and five-year national development plans.
The meeting was attended by ministers, provincial deputy governors and other officials responsible for economic development.
Deputy Prime Minister Somsavat Lengsavad, who is in charge of economic affairs including production and goods circulation, urged those present to focus their work towards regional integration, specifically the Asean Economic Community (AEC), which comes into being at the end of this year.
He said ministers and provincial authorities should assess their plans and ensure their targets for economic growth also meet goals on poverty reduction and Laos' graduation from the list of Least Developed Countries by 2020.
“Each province has different potentials, so ministries and provincial authorities should identify and then formulate the appropriate measures for their realisation, Mr Somsavat said.
To ensure development and economic growth, government bodies at the central level should monitor implementation at the lower levels and make suggestions about plans and implementation strategies to local organisations.
The deputy PM also stressed that the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, in cooperation with the relevant sectors, should strengthen agricultural production to boost food security and commerce by using new techniques and modern technology.
The government is encouraging farmers to grow chemical free crops which are environmentally friendly, sustainable and also in high demand throughout the region.
The ministry should also develop livestock breeding systems based on local farmers' native methods to improve farming systems for trading and local income promotion.
Mr Somsavat called on all government sectors from the central to local levels to adopt more modern ideas and methods as Laos moves towards regional and international integration.
Many authorities and some sectors are still rooted in old ways, which is hindering development, he noted.
With regard to commercial production, Mr Somsavat asked all sectors to focus on economic relations between the central and provincial levels, between provinces, and also cooperation at the district and village level.
One more issue of importance noted by the deputy PM was the improvement of organisational structure in relation to the Three Builds (Sam Sang) directive.
Laos has already acceded to the requirements of the World Trade Organisation after gaining membership and will integrate with the Asean Economic Community at the end of this year.
