Lao News on LNTV-Laos will host several regional meetings including the 5th ACMECS Summit 12-03-2013
INTRO: Laos is hosting several regional meetings including the 5th ACMECS Summit where the eight sectors of agriculture, tourism, human resource development, health and environment, industry and energy, trade and investment facilitation, and transport linkage are going to be discuss, To keep our viewers informed, we proudly presents a brief background of the ongoing events STORY: Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam have named eight main areas to be prioritised under the framework of the Ayeyawady-Chao Phraya-Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy known as ACMECS. The eight sectors are agriculture, tourism, human resource development, health and environment, industry and energy, trade and investment facilitation, and transport linkage. Under the ACMECS Action Plan 2010-2012, the member countries have jointly implemented many activities in most of the priority areas, resulting in tangible outcomes. In the area of trade and investment facilitation, member countries have seen a steady increase in trade and investment volumes. In Laos, the government has created conditions that favour investment in the country by other ACMECS members. Currently, Vietnam is the main investor in Laos, with Thailand in second place In agriculture, Laos has worked with member countries to share information about the control of animal diseases and inspecting agricultural and forestry products at border crossings. In the industry and energy sector, Vietnam and Thailand are interested in cooperating to develop sources of energy in Laos, particularly electricity, to ensure sufficient power is available for ACMECS members both now and in the future. Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam are also cooperating to develop transport linkages to facilitate trade, investment, agriculture and tourism. Laos and Cambodia have built road links, particularly in the border area between Champassak province and Strung Treng province. This road benefits the people of Laos - a landlocked country - as well as those in Cambodia and Vietnam. Travel times are becoming shorter, resulting in more person-to-person visits as well as a boom in border trade. Apart from this, Laos and Thailand have built bridges across the Mekong in Khammuan, Savannakhet and Bokeo provinces and in Vientiane. Laos and Myanmar are also building a bridge linking the two countries across the Mekong, with the aim of boosting trade and investment and enhancing cooperation. In the field of tourism, Laos has been actively engaged in facilitating travel for the citizens of other member countries. Visa requirements have been waived for member countries, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Laos and Cambodia operate flights between Vientiane and Phnom Penh and between LuangPrabang and Siem Reap. Laos and Thailand operate direct flights between Vientiane and Bangkok and between Bangkok and LuangPrabang. Laos and Vietnam also have direct flights, and flights between Laos and Myanmar are expected to come into service in the near future. In the field of human resource development, member countries are providing each other's nationals with scholarships. Citizens of Laos and other countries are currently studying at the National University of Laos and at Thai, Vietnamese and Cambodian universities. Developments in the health and environment sector have seen Laos and other member countries cooperate in preventing and controlling the spread of infectious diseases within their own borders and in other Asean member countries.
