The NA members approved the government’s report on the implementation of the socio-economic development plan for 2013-14

Introduction: The NA members approved the government’s report on the implementation of the socio-economic development plan for 2013-14 and its plan for next year at the closing of the session on Friday the 25th of July. NA President Madame Pany Yathortou highlighted the outstanding efforts, achievements and performance of the NA members, government officials and mass organisation representatives at the session.

The seventh ordinary session of the NA’s Seventh Legislature closed on Friday after sitting for 15 days.

According to NA President Madame Pany Yathortou, Four laws were approved by the NA at the session including two newly drafted laws on Anti-Money Laundering Combating and the Financing of Terrorism and the Law on Independent Auditing.

The amended draft for the Law on Customs was not passed as the NA members were divided on the amendments, especially in regards to the status change of the customs service units from the current zoning system to being overseen by provincial departments and offices.

NA members also commented on the government report in relation to forest classification.

They recommended that the concerned ministries improve the report, which aims to increase forest cover to 65 percent of the country’s area by next year and 70 percent by 2020.

The NA has approved the reports from the Supreme People’s Prosecutor Office and the Supreme People’s Court on the last day of the session, after the approval was postponed for a week due to the NA resolution being incomprehensible.

The report on the works of the NA for 2013-14, as well as the plans for 2014-15 was also approved at the session.

The NA session also approved the Prime Minister’s proposal on new appointments including, the appointment of Politburo member Dr Bounpone Bottanavong to Deputy Prime Minister, Politburo member and Minister of Education and Sports Dr Phankham Viphavanh to Deputy Prime Minister and Minister to the Government Office Dr Sinlavong Khoutpha ythoun as Mayor of Vientiane.

The immediate interaction between NA members and ministers, as well as the immediate responses of concerned officials to public queries were seen at the session.

Source: Lao National Television News in English
Broadcast on July 28, 2014