Govt strives to achieve 49 trillion kip in goods traffic
Govt strives to achieve 49 trillion kip in goods traffic
The government will strive to achieve more than 49 trillion kip in goods traffic in the service sector next fiscal year.
In the first nine months of the 2015-16 fiscal year, the value of Lao goods traffic including wholesale and retail sales as well as service costs reached 30 trillion kip, an increase of 9.9 percent compared to same period last year.
Goods traffic value is projected to reach more than 41 trillion kip at the end of this year, 27.5 percent more than targeted.
Trade in foodstuffs will increase 13 percent, while there will be an increase of 15 percent in construction equipment, a rise of 7 percent for petrol and gas products, 9 percent for handicrafts and woven products, 9.8 percent for agricultural products, and 11.6 percent for electricity and home products.
In the tourism sector, the number of visitors is increasing so the country can earn direct revenue from tourism services each year.
In addition, tourism creates jobs for local people, boosting their incomes and improving their way of life.
This clearly points out the growing potential of tourism. The number of tourists recently reached 4.9 million people with total tourism revenue reported at US$782 million.
Laos has 1,957 officially designated tourist sites, of which 1,145 are natural attractions, 534 are of cultural interest, and 278 are historical.
To promote tourism, the government has participated in the Tourism and International Arts Festival in Belarus, the International Travel Trade Show Berlin (ITB) in Germany, and the International Tourism Expo in China and Thailand.
Laos also hosted the Asean Ecotourism Forum in Champassak province this year.
The government has improved and created a draft plan on community-based tourism standards, and a master plan for the development of Phongsaly as a tourist destination as well as Nongfa-Nongkai-ock in Attapeu province.
Besides this, the government is advertising tourism activities in various forms to domestic and foreign tourists.
Next fiscal year, the government will strive to upgrade the service sector to ensure continuous, stable and balanced growth of the economy.
Authorities will strive to achieve more than 49 trillion kip in goods traffic in the service sector, enlarge or build new markets in remote areas, and develop an efficient transport system to bolster trade, production, investment, tourism and services, making transport safe, convenient and modern and building stronger links to neighbouring countries.
The government will also strive to attract 5.4 million tourists and generate revenue of about US$875 million.
They will promote and develop goods that have market potential, including under the One District, One Product (ODOP) scheme. Handicrafts will also be promoted and officials will continue to improve the draft plan on community-based tourism standards.
