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Headlines:
Major Crime Hub Found in SEZ
Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos Cozy Up
Laos Pours Money Into Transport…
… and Urban Services
Trade Routes in Upheaval
First Transboundary World Heritage Site
Empowering the Youth
Business and Human Rights Plan
ASEAN-UK in Health Security Tie-up
Tri-Country Railway Development
Youth Face Health Care Hurdles
Major Crime Hub Found in SEZ
A Chinese-run economic zone in Laos has become a major hub for cybercrime. The Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone, leased to businessman Zhao Wei in 2007, now allegedly generates USD 43.8 billion (!) annually through cyber fraud, romance scams, money laundering, and trafficking. The U.S. and UK have sanctioned Zhao, but the zone keeps running thanks to minimal government oversight because of its status as a special economic zone.
Read more: Straits Times (Crime Hub), ABS-CBN (Economic Zone), Irrawaddy (Criminal Operations)
Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos Cozy Up
Foreign ministers from Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia met during the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Kuala Lumpur last week. Talks between Vietnam's Deputy PM Nguyễn Chí Dũng and Lao leaders resulted in agreement on an increase in bilateral trade to USD 5 billion and the completion of the Vientiane-Hà Nội expressway. On the military side, a Lao military contingent will join Vietnam's 80th National Day parade, and both sides said they’ll continue to expand defense cooperation.
Read more: Vietnam News (Bilateral Cooperation), Vietnam Plus (Defense Cooperation), Vietnam News (Political Consultation), Nhan Dan (Diplomatic Connectivity), Asian News Network (Young Leaders)
Laos Pours Money Into Transport…
A USD 72 million upgrade of National Road 13 South will improve a 50-kilometer stretch, funded by a USD 40 million AIIB loan, a USD 20 million ADFD grant, and USD 12 million kicked in by the Lao government. The upgrade will be to the benefit of more than a quarter million citizens. Vientiane's Bus Rapid Transit project is four-fifths complete and, when finished, will feature 55 electric buses with a 90-passenger capacity and 150 electric tricycles that will provide feeder transport. The BRT project also includes money and plans for new traffic signals and better sidewalk accessibility. It is scheduled to launch early next year.
Read more: Laotian Times (Road Upgrade), Zawya (ADFD Financing), MENAFN (Project Details), Laotian Times (BRT Project)
… and Urban Services
The Vientiane Capital People's Council has approved updates to water and trash services. A three-year tap water price increase plan for 2025-2028 is the first such adjustment since 2014, as production costs continue to rise. The Vientiane Capital Water Supply State Enterprise operates 6 main water treatment plants and serves 71% of villages, with plans to double treatment plants to 12 and extend coverage to 137 currently unserved villages. New waste management regulations will put a tiered penalty system in place with fines ranging from LAK 100,000 for minor violations to LAK 100 million for larger indiscretions. Apparently, only about two-thirds of Vientiane’s daily 700-ton waste output is currently collected.
Read more: Laotian Times (Water Price), Laotian Times (Waste Rules), Bernama (Regional Updates)
Trade Routes in Upheaval
Cambodian distributors of Thai products are thinking about trying to end-run the border blockade by rerouting their supply chains through Laos. The proposed route would cut through Ubon Ratchathani's Chong Mek crossing into Champasak province, using the Wang Tao–Phonthong Special Economic Zone before entering northern Cambodia. In separate news that shows how rural development in Laos is changing, Bokeo Province reported USD 17.23 million in exports for 1H25. Imports stood at USD 52.11 million, and transit goods totaled USD 729.53 million.
Read more: Laotian Times (Bokeo Exports), Khmer Times (Supply Chain Rerouting)
First Transboundary World Heritage Site
The UNESCO World Heritage Committee approved the expansion of Vietnam's Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park to include Laos's Hin Nam No National Park, creating the first transboundary world heritage site between the countries. The decision came during the 47th UNESCO committee session in Paris after a joint nomination was put forward in early 2024. The area features karst limestone landscapes formed 400 million years ago, high-altitude dry karst forests, lowland humid forests, and more than 220 kilometers of caves and underground rivers. Its hoped that the site will be a model for cross-border heritage management elsewhere in the region.
Read more: VnExpress (UNESCO Recognition), DTI News (Site Details)
Empowering the Youth
The Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare, in partnership with 48 private companies, is supporting the Lao Employment Business Association (LEBA) and Skills Development Institute to provide free skills training and career guidance to create job opportunities. Support also includes career counseling, access to low-interest loans through the Agricultural Promotion Bank, and three-month post-placement follow-up support.
Read more: Laotian Times
Business and Human Rights Plan
The government, with support from UNDP Lao PDR and the Swedish government, approved its first National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights (NAP-BHR) for 2024-2028, the fourth ASEAN member state to do so. The plan, hashed out in consultation with stakeholders, is intended to promote responsible business conduct and protect human rights.
Read more: Mirage News
ASEAN-UK in Health Security Tie-up
The UK and ASEAN have begun a five-year Health Security Partnership Program. The UK-funded initiative will work with international organizations, including the WHO, FAO, WOAH, and UNEP, to implement grant-funded projects throughout ASEAN to improve, among other things, health systems, healthcare access, and the fight against antimicrobial resistance.
Read more: Laotian Times
Tri-Country Railway Development
China, Laos, and Thailand are working to make sure they take full advantage of the China-Laos-Thailand Railway with logistics and tourism cooperation. The Mekong Institute, the Chinese Consulate General in Khon Kaen, and the Yunnan Provincial Government's Foreign Affairs Office have scheduled a Logistics and Tourism Promotion Meeting for August 19 in Khon Kaen, Thailand. The railway's cross-border service, which started operations in 2023, was expanded to provide direct service between Vientiane and Bangkok in July 2024. Separately, the Lao government has started the compensation process for citizens affected by the Lao-Thai Railway Project's second phase, which covers 7.5 kilometers through five villages in Saysettha district.
Read more: Laotian Times (Railway Cooperation), Laotian Times (Land Compensation)
Youth Face Health Care Hurdles
A new report says there are worrying reproductive health trends across Asia Pacific, including Laos, where young people's reproductive choices are still limited. The study found that more than 40% of adolescent pregnancies are unintended, and recommends youth-friendly health services, better sex education, improved economic opportunities, polices for parental leave, and more investment in youth-led programs to improve the status quo.
Read more: Laotian Times
That’s all for this week, thanks for reading.
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