Latest news with #VIENTIANE
The Star
3 days ago
- Business
- The Star
Laos wind farm to begin full operation in late August, says Sekong's Deputy Governor
The 600MW Monsoon Wind Power Project, the first wind farm in Laos and the largest in South-East Asia, is located in Sekong and Attapeu provinces. - Photo: VIENTIANE (Laotian Times): Commercial operations of the Monsoon Wind Project, Laos's first and South-East Asia's largest onshore wind farm, is expected to begin by late August or early September. Deputy Governor of Sekong Province, Khanti Seelavongsa, announced the timeline during a provincial council meeting on 15 July. Currently operating at half capacity with 300 megawatts, the 600-megawatt wind farm, valued at approximately USD 950 million, spans 70,800 hectares across of Sekong's Dak Cheung district and Attapeu's Sanxay district in southern Laos. Positioned at elevations between 1,100 and 1,700 meters above sea level, it stands as the first cross-border wind project in the ASEAN region The project consists of 133 onshore turbines, each generating 4.51 megawatts. Electricity generated by the project will be exported to Vietnam via a 500-kilovolt transmission line stretching 65 kilometers, 22 km in Laos and 43 km in Vietnam. This is supported by a 25-year power purchase agreement (PPA) signed with Vietnam Electricity (EVN). The project began in 2011 with a memorandum of understanding between the government of Laos and the International Energy Agency to develop large-scale wind farms. Following extensive feasibility studies, the Dak Cheung and Sanxay districts were identified as optimal locations in 2015. Later in September 2019, the Vietnamese government approved the wind project, saying it could safely connect to the power grid in Vietnam. Construction began in April 2023, and in the same year, the first wind turbine was put up in October. By 19 May 2025, all turbines were installed, according to ACEN Renewables International, a renewable energy company that owns part of the project. The Monsoon Wind Project is now part of Sekong Province's growing energy network, along with two other hydropower dams, Nam Emoun and Houay La Ngae. - Laotian Times
The Star
10-07-2025
- Business
- The Star
Laos showcases green development vision at World Expo in Japan
Minister to the Prime Minister's Office, Mr Khamjane Vongphosy (in yellow shirt), visiting a Lao booth at the Expo 2025 in Osaka, Japan. - VT VIENTIANE: In anticipation of the 50th National Day in December this year, Laos is marking the occasion at the Expo 2025 in Osaka, Japan, with a vibrant cultural showcase and high-level policy forum, reaffirming the country's vision for sustainable development and international cooperation in South-East Asia. A ceremony to launch Laos' participation in the expo was led by Minister to the Prime Minister's Office, Khamjane Vongphosy, and included a formal flag-raising ceremony and traditional Lao performances, featuring the iconic khaen instrument. These cultural elements offered delegates a rich and authentic glimpse into Lao heritage. Expo 2025 Osaka, officially known as the World Expo 2025, is a major international exposition taking place from April 13 to Oct 13. Khamjane said 'Expo 2025 takes the theme 'Designing Future Society for Our Lives', a vision that reflects global needs, such as innovation, sustainability and overall development, and Laos is extremely proud to be a part of this important international gathering.' 'The official Laos Day event at the World Expo Osaka is not only a joint celebration of our national uniqueness with our Japanese hosts, but also a celebration of friendship and cooperation for a peaceful future and the well-being of humanity worldwide. "Having friends, development partners, and strategic partners like Japan is a huge support for Laos on the path to a prosperous future.' Japan's Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs, Matsumoto Hisashi, said 'Under the theme 'Green Growth Economy for the Sustainable Development of Laos', Laos' pavilion focuses on its 50 ethnic groups' diverse cultural expressions, including traditional handicrafts. We hope that the exhibition will help to spread Laos' appeal in Japan and the rest of the world.' In the afternoon of the same day, the government hosted a forum titled 'Laos as the Destination for Green Development in South-East Asia', where senior officials presented national policy frameworks focused on green growth, economic reform, and regional connectivity. Key topics included green investment and sustainability. These emphasised low-carbon growth, eco-industrial development, clean manufacturing zones, and tourism innovation. This aims to position Laos as a premier destination for eco and cultural travel and sustainable agriculture and agribusiness, showcasing modern farming methods, transport and connectivity, and strengthening Laos' role as a regional trade hub. Investors and stakeholders heard directly from government ministers and foreign investors operating in Laos' special economic zones and industrial parks, who shared case studies highlighting the success of public-private partnerships in the country. Under the overarching theme 'Designing Future Society for Our Lives', the Expo 2025 serves as a global platform where countries, international organisations, NGOs, and businesses gather to share ideas and showcase innovations that address the world's most pressing challenges. - Vientiane Times/ANN
The Star
02-07-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Laos to deploy soldier-teachers in rural areas
FILE PHOTO: Volunteer teachers will serve in areas with difficult terrain, limited infrastructure, poor transportation, no internet and little or no access to electricity or healthcare. - The Star VIENTIANE: Laos' Ministry of National Defence will recruit 2,000 volunteer teachers to serve as soldier-teachers, aimed at addressing teacher shortages and reducing dropout rates in remote and underserved areas. The initiative focuses on areas with difficult terrain, limited infrastructure, poor transportation, no internet and little or no access to electricity or healthcare, Lao Economic Daily reported Monday (June 30). Soldier-teachers will step in when regular teachers are unavailable due to illness, maternity leave, official duties or other personal reasons. Most recruits will be graduates of teacher training programmes. After completing short-term military training, they will be deployed to meet demand in hard-to-reach communities. This initiative is part of the Lao government's strategy to improve access to education and reduce dropout rates in disadvantaged areas. - Xinhua
The Star
25-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
Laos, Switzerland team up to improve vocational education curriculum
Switzerland supports young people in Laos in receiving a good education and participating in the labor market. - Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation VIENTIANE: Vocational education experts from Laos and Switzerland have joined forces to strengthen curriculum development for Technical and Vocational Education and Training institutions and enterprises in Laos. The Technical and Vocational Education Department of the Ministry of Education and Sports on Monday (May 19) hosted a capacity building workshop for Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET) institutions and enterprises on curriculum development under the Asean-Swiss TVET Initiative. The workshop on curriculum development for work-based learning brought together participants from the government and private sectors and featured lecturers from the Swiss Federal University for Vocational Education and Training. Presentations centred on enhancing skills in curriculum design in four priority sectors: Inventory Management, Customer Service, Machine Tools, and Electric/Hybrid Vehicle Repair. The Asean-Swiss TVET Initiative aims to strengthen vocational education through industry-aligned training programmes. Under the Initiative, Asean and Switzerland will support Laos and Cambodia to strengthen their technical and vocational training systems with a focus on workplace-based learning in companies. Participants gained practical insights into the development of work-based learning curricula, ensuring workforce readiness and industry relevance. The event was seen as a milestone in advancing technical and vocational education training excellence in Laos. The workshop was co-chaired by Deputy Director General of the ministry's Technical and Vocational Education Department, Tingkham Soulintha, and member of the Board of Directors of the Lao National Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Viboon Sithimolada. In 2024, the Asean-Swiss TVET Initiative signed a Memorandum of Understanding on a project to improve job opportunities for unemployed young people and low-skilled workers in Laos, funded by the Swiss government. Under the MOU, at least 1,000 Lao people are expected to be given access to vocational training and work at businesses across the country. Priority training fields include transportation and goods warehousing services, the retail trade, mechanics, and air-conditioning installation and repair. The goal of the project is to provide knowledge and skills for young people who are unemployed, especially those with little education after leaving school at a young age, as well as low-skilled workers, so they learn skills that are relevant to today's job market. - Vientiane Times/ANN
The Star
13-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
Laos looks into blockchain, digital assets to boost digital economy
VIENTIANE: Laos is conducting a feasibility study on developing Lao national blockchain and digital assets to support the national digital economy vision, generate new government revenue, and cultivate expertise in connected data technology and digital assets. According to a report of the Ministry of Technology and Communications on Tuesday (May 13), the ministry and its partner will jointly assess the feasibility of developing national blockchain infrastructure to support digital transformation across sectors, including a digital identity system, digital asset verification, and the establishment of a blockchain research and development center. The study will also focus on creating blockchain technology legislation, strategies, and policies, while strengthening human resources in the blockchain field. The Lao government continues its efforts to integrate technology into public administration and services, backed by a national digital transformation strategy focused on digital government, economy, and society, as the private sector increasingly shifts online. - Xinhua
