Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone and his delegation visit a cattle farm in Vientiane province on July 22. - VT
VIENTIANE (Vientiane Times/Asia News Network): The Prime Minister has encouraged local authorities in Vientiane province to do more to develop agricultural production and tourism.
During a visit by Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone and his delegation to the province on July 22, he advised the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry to partner with the Ministry of Energy and Mines and provincial authorities to survey irrigation systems and electricity supply.
This should be done to ensure that sufficient water and electricity is available for agricultural production, while also ensuring that farmers’ technical skills are adequate and that suitable plant and animal species are farmed to meet the needs of local people.
The prime minister also advised officials to cut the cost of production for farmers and encourage the farming of quality products that could compete within the region.
Provincial authorities should also monitor, encourage and create favourable conditions for industrial and agricultural companies in the province, to promote the production and processing of agricultural products for domestic sale and export, PM Sonexay advised.
He also recommended that the Ministry of Industry and Commerce team up with the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism to identify more effective advertising platforms for domestic products in ways that were more visible and appealing to members of the public.
In addition, he advised producers to improve the quality of their products by introducing new styles so they are more attractive to buyers.
Producers should assess the demand for raw materials, the demand for use of cultivated land, and the required quantity of imported materials, seeds and fertiliser, and provide this information to the relevant sectors.
With regard to tourism, Dr Sonexay recommended that provincial authorities encourage the development of tourist attractions around the Nam Ngum Hydroelectric Power Dam, to bring in more visitors and make full use of the reservoir and surrounding area.
While visiting the dam, the delegation monitored a road improvement project and the construction of tourist facilities around the reservoir.
The prime minister and his delegation also visited a fruit and sweetcorn processing factory in Ban Keun village, and a cattle farm in Tan Piew village raising animals for export.
Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone praised provincial authorities and local companies for working to bring about improvements and achieve success on the way to meeting development targets.
