Ministers share ideas for NA’s fifth session

(KPL) At the fifth session of the National Assembly, ministers presented and discussed a range of proposals.
Dr Bosaikham Vongdala, Minister of Energy and Mining, said the investment on mining had expanded so rapidly that today 118 companies are now operating in the country. They are engaged in 181 projects in Laos, with 55 exploration programs and 74 survey activities.
Forty-six Lao companies have made investment in 80 mining projects while 72 foreign companies have 101 projects.
Recently, the Lao government has given approval to 25 companies for mining investment.
The minister also said that after the land had been utilized for mining it would be planted with trees. After the mining and if the land is contaminated, then steps will taken to get rid of such substances,
He told the assembly that the projects that generate substantial income for the country are the gold and copper mining activities that are located in Sepon (Savannakhet province) and Phu Bia (Xiengkhouang province). Dr. Nam Viyaket, Minister for Industry and Commerce, who touched on the price of oil, said that the price is now hovering around US$140 per barrel.
Laos imports all its oil he said: benzene 25 percent, diesel 70 percent and lubricating oil 5 percents, the country uses1.5 million litres per day.
At the same meeting, Minister of Agriculture and Forestry, Mr Sitaheng Rasphone raised the question on land concession for foreign investors and stressed on the need to review the system of approval.
Minister of Public Security Thongbanh Seng-aphone told the meeting about the problems on how to manage foreign labour in Laos, permanent resettlement of illegal immigrants, drug trafficking, smuggling of goods, robbery and other issues.
He added that there was a need to form a committee to tackle drug trafficking, to minimize road accidents and to upgrade the general security in the country.

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