Laos 20241211: Euphemistic, Convivial, Innovative
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Headlines:
Regional Crime Networks Take Root
Anti-Corruption Drive Nets Millions
Railway Project Compensation Stalls
Healthcare Partnership Boosts Blood Supply
Infrastructure Protection Gets Upgrade
Cross-Border Tax Agreement Advances
Agricultural Partnership Takes Shape
Child Protection Law Makes History
Regional Crime Networks Take Root
Cyberscamming has emerged as Southeast Asia's most lucrative criminal enterprise, surpassing traditional organized crime. The United States Institute of Peace reports these scams could generate 40% of Cambodia, Myanmar, and Laos's formal economies. Cambodia's industry alone generates $12.5 billion annually with 150,000 forced workers, while Laos has 75,000 people involved. The scale affects multiple formal sectors through money laundering.
Read more: The Diplomat
Anti-Corruption Drive Nets Millions
The State Inspection and Anti-Corruption Authority has recovered $3.6 million from $32.1 million in corruption losses in 2024. The authority processed 208 suspects, resulting in 40 prosecutions and 39 arrests, including two foreigners. A notable case in Luang Namtha Province led to the prosecution of 13 public officials, including a former provincial vice governor.
Read more: Laotian Times
Railway Project Compensation Stalls
371 families displaced by the Laos-China Railway project are still waiting for full compensation three years after construction. The affected families, mainly in Vientiane, have so far rejected government compensation offers. While 6,504 families received $83 million, disputes continue over unit pricing for houses, farmland, and trees lost to the Belt and Road Initiative project.
Read more: RFA
Healthcare Partnership Boosts Blood Supply
The Lao Red Cross has partnered with Korean Red Cross Blood Services to improve local blood services. The Korean Red Cross has donated three minibuses and six tube sealers worth $123,200 to support mobile blood collection in Oudomxay and Louangnamtha Provinces. The National Blood Transfusion Center plans to increase donation rates to more than 1% of population annually.
Read more: Laotian Times
Infrastructure Protection Gets Upgrade
The Ministry of Public Works and Transport plans to improve truck weighing infrastructure after reducing stations from 39 to 13 led to increased road damage. A model station has been completed on Route 3 in Luang Namtha, with repairs planned for 17 stations. The government allocated funding for 20 mobile weighing units.
Read more: Laotian Times
Cross-Border Tax Agreement Advances
The Philippines and Laos held their first Double Taxation Agreement negotiations in Luang Prabang. The agreement is expected to eliminate double taxation on cross-border income. The Philippines has, or is working on similar agreements with several other ASEAN members, with a Cambodia deal set for February 2025 signing.
Read more: PNA
Agricultural Partnership Takes Shape
Laos and Thailand have signed an agreement to develop an industrial cattle production chain. The project includes importing high-quality cattle breeders, encouraging fodder crop cultivation, establishing modern breeding centers, and creating a network of cattle breeding farms across both countries.
Read more: The Nation Thailand
Child Protection Law Makes History
Laos became Southeast Asia's first country to completely ban corporal punishment through an amendment to child protection law. The legislation prohibits physical punishment in all settings, including homes, schools, and public institutions. The ban is a cultural shift from traditional disciplinary methods to non-violent approaches.
Read more: UNICEF
That’s all for this week, thanks for reading.
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