The fifth ordinary session of its Seventh Legislature closes with the approval on a number of issues
The National Assembly approved an 8.3 percent socio-economic growth plan for next financial year – a record high with targeted gross domestic product or GDP amounting to 90,650 billion kip. In her closing remark, NA President, Madam Pany Yathortou praised the government for its achievements in implementing the socio-economic development plan.
President Choummaly Sayasone, Vice President Bounnhang Vorachit, Prime Minister Thongsing Thammavong and members of the government cabinet were present at the closing ceremony.
In her closing remark at the session’s resolution fifth ordinary of its Seventh Legislature, NA President, Madam Pany Yathortou, announced that, after 15 days of heated debate, parliament adopted the next fiscal year’s socio-economic development and budget plans. The forecast growth would mean average per capita income would reach 13.38 million kip or about 1,674 US dollars.
During the fifth session, the parliament approved the midterm-review report, which tracked the progress made by the government in carrying out the five-year national socio-economic development plan which starts from 2011 to 2015.
Reports on the performances of the State Auditing Organisation, People’s Supreme Court and People’s Supreme Prosecutor over the past year and plans for next year were also adopted. The session endorsed a performance report on the NA over the past year and a plan for the next year, as well as its five-year midterm performance report (2011-2015) and a plan for the remaining half term.
Parliamentarians approved three new laws and two amended laws: the new Law on Science and Technology, on Social Security and on Lao Women; and the amended Laws on Tourism and Food.
Law-makers also debated development of the draft National Land Policy. The policy was not approved at this session as it will be canvassed for comment from the public, according to the policy drafting committee. The committee aims to re-submit the draft for debate to seek approval in the next session, which is expected to take place in December.
At the session, the government was also asked to formulate regulations to govern small-scale mining and mineral extraction projects after members learnt some such operations cause serious environmental impacts.
Parliamentarians told the government to inspect the issue and put stricter measures in place by revoking contracts or stopping operations on any mine projects whose contractors fail to comply with the relevant laws and regulations.
Members also called on the government to work harder to achieve the UN Millennium Development Goals and other development targets by 2015.
Source: LNTV Lao News in English
