Some 300 items including photos, documents and equipment are on display at the Kaysone Phomvihane Museum to portray Laos’ great courage in the fight for national liberation, and achievements in national development and protection under the leadership of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party.

Party Secretary General and President of the Lao PDR, Mr Choummaly Sayasone, former Party Secretary General, Mr Khamtay Siphandone, members of the Politburo, members of the Party Central Committee, and other senior Party and government officials yesterday attended the opening ceremony of the exhibition.

Chairman of the subcommittee in charge of preparations to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Party, and the 40th anniversary of the founding of the Lao PDR, Prof. Dr Kikeo Khaykhamphithoun, said the photos, documents and materials represented very important and inspiring events which reflected the process of birth, growth, and victorious leadership of the Party.

“These reflect the great courage of the Party in guiding the entire nation to success in the fight for national liberation and sovereignty. They also show the courage and creativity of the Party in devising the comprehensive renovation policy,” he added.

Immediately after it was founded on March 22, 1955, the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party guided the nation in the fight to fulfil the terms of the Geneva Convention, which was signed in 1954, by protecting the united provinces of Phongsaly and Huaphan as revolutionary strongholds. This led to the signing of the Vientiane Agreement in 1957, and the establishment of the first coalition government.

The defeat of foreign aggressors also led to the establishment of a second coalition government in 1962.

Repeated victories led to national liberation and the founding of the Lao PDR on December 2, 1975.

The Party also directed the renovation policy which has resulted in growing success in socio-economic development and stable gross domestic product. Growth rates averaged 4.8 percent per year from 1986 to 1990, 6.4 percent per year from 1991 to 1995, 6.2 percent per year from 1996 to 2005, 7.9 percent from 2006 to 2010, and 8 percent from 2012-2013.

Thanks to poverty reduction efforts, the proportion of poor citizens has fallen steadily from 45 percent of the country’s population in 1992-1993 to 16 percent in 2012-2013.

From an undeveloped agricultural base that relied on rice imports from other countries, Laos has become a country that produces various crops for export.

Last year, Laos produced 4 million tonnes of rice while only 2 or 2.5 million tonnes was needed for domestic consumption.

The Party has led the nation through a period of continued peace and stability and there have been outstanding achievements in national development, defence and foreign policy with Laos establishing diplomatic relations with more than 135 countries. Accordingly, the nation has played a leading role in international issues throughout the region and globally.

Source: Vientiane Times
March 21, 2015