Socio-economic development tops NA seminar agenda

 Souksakhone Vaenkeo

    Preparation for the establishment of the 7th five-year national socio-economic development plan from 2011-2015 (7th NSEDP) and relevant factors to stimulate steady economic growth have topped the agenda in a seminar being held in Savannakhet province.

A four-day seminar opened yesterday as part of preparations for the upcoming 8th ordinary session of the National Assembly (NA) to be held at the end of this year.
Members of the NA, representatives from ministries, Prime Minister’s Office and relevant international organisations will discuss strategy in establishing the 7th NSEDP, according to NA Standing Committee member, Mr Thongteun Xayasane.

Mr Thongteun, who is also Head of NA Administrative Office, said experiences and lessons shared at the seminar are hoped to raise NA members’ knowledge and awareness of roles in order to help them contribute more effectively to the upcoming session.

“Increasing theoretical knowledge and information is a means of increasing the quality of views on various issues contributed by NA members,” said Mr Thongteun.

“This is also to increase the overall quality of the NA Session.”

The global economic recession and its impact on Lao economy as well as challenges raised in efforts to achieve the Millennium Development Goals will also be tabled at the seminar.
Participants will be updated on the preparation process in drafting a Prime Ministerial decree in implementing the new amended investment promotion law, which has just been approved at the NA 7th session.

Malnutrition issues and possible solutions, as well as the influenza A(H1N1) outbreak situation and measures to cope with it are also scheduled to be discussed.

Similar seminars to prepare for NA sessions have been held in the past and topics linked to the role of the NA have always been on the agenda.

To achieve the Millennium Development Goals by the end of the 7th NSEDP in 2015, US resident coordinator and UNDP resident representative, Ms Sonam Yangchen Rana said economic growth based on sustainable and equitable development, access to education and health care, enhanced public participation and women’s empowerment were crucial.

“Good governance, economic growth and achievement in the social sectors are all closely interrelated,” she said.
“Laos needs a skilled workforce, better education, enhanced healthcare and improved public infrastructure.”

However, major steps towards these goals have been achieved during the last 12 months by the government’s endorsement of the legal sector’s master plan and the decision to promote decentralisation and improved accountability at the local level through the re-establishment of local councils in provinces.
 

“A well-judged devolution of competencies and revenue management from central to local governments will enable better public service delivery,” Ms Rana said.

“The creation of local government will also allow involvement and engagement of Lao citizens in the socio-economic development of the country.”