Anonymous wrote:

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[Meet the asian leader]A new era beginning for Laos The more Koreans visit Laos, the deeper the Laos people’s understanding of Korea will be. May 28, 2009

To mark the 20th anniversary of dialogue between Korea and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, the Asean-Korea Commemorative Summit will take place on Jeju Island on June 1 and 2. Through this first summit of Asean leaders in Korea, Seoul seeks to bolster its cooperative relationship with the 10 member nations of the organization. The Joong-Ang Ilbo is publishing a series of interviews with key leaders of Asean member states. The first in this series is an exclusive interview with the prime minister of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Bouasone Bouphavanh. VIENTIANE - “Laos is always deeply interested in the stability of the Korean Peninsula. Peace and prosperity on the peninsula is our hope, and to this end, the two Koreas must meet and have a frank dialogue,” Prime Minister Bouasone Bouphavanh told the JoongAng Ilbo recently. “We no longer want to see the confrontation between the two Koreas, because the Korean Peninsula’s stability contributes to the peace and stability not only of Asia but of the world.” We met with the prime minister in his office in this city, the capital of Laos, for an hour. He began by talking about inter-Korean relations and North Korea’s nuclear test. “To resolve the nuclear issue, all possible peaceful means should be used, in addition to the six-nation talks,” he stressed. The prime minister also expressed his passion for the economic development of his country. He explained his vision of building Laos as an inland logistics hub for Indochina, taking advantage of the geographic characteristics of Laos, which has no coastline. Q. Laos recently initiated a strong push for economic development. A. By 2020, we want to develop our country so that we will no longer be called a developing nation. To this end, political stability and economic development are necessary. Laos in 10 years will be a different nation, if we can achieve rapid growth. What is your expectation for the Jeju summit? The summit will be an opportunity for Korea and the Asean member nations to strengthen their cooperation. During my visit to Korea, I will meet with President Lee Myung-bak and request Korea to expand its economic cooperation with Laos. When you attended the Future of Asia conference held in Japan last week, you stressed the importance of cooperation between advanced nations and developing countries. I stressed that cooperation between Asian countries that have achieved economic development and developing nations must be strengthened for the development and prosperity of Asia. Because of the global financial crisis, the world economy has faced hardships. All countries - whether they are developing nations or advanced nations - suffered serious economic blows. In order to overcome the crisis, the advanced nations and developing countries must share their strong points to seek synergy effects. Such cooperation not only benefits both sides, but also allows us to overcome the economic crisis more quickly. Please tell us more about your plans during your upcoming visit to Korea. There will be a bilateral summit with President Lee, and I have high hopes for this talk. Korea has made large investments in Southeast Asian nations and also provided great support. Broad measures to strengthen cooperation with Laos will be discussed. I will also officially invite Lee to visit Laos. What was your impression of Korea when you first visited the country? As Laos prime minister, I first visited Korea in 2007. At the time, I was deeply touched by the warm welcome of the Korean government and people. During my visit, I met with senior Korean officials and discussed cooperative measures. I also visited major industrial complexes and popular tourist venues in Korea. I became aware that Korea will be a partner of Laos not only in politics, economy and diplomacy, but also in culture. It is rare for Korea to host an Asean summit. I highly admire Korea’s active participation in its dialogue with Asean. Korea is not an Asean member nation, but it has impressed the Southeast Asian countries by hosting this special summit. The event in Jeju next week will be a new milestone for Korea and Asean nations’ cooperative relationship. Laos is changing very fast. What is the key to these changes? The most important task of the Laos government is economic development. Escaping from the label of a developing country is Laos’s goal. To this end, we need rapid economic growth. Laos will try to maintain its own culture and traditions during economic development. One of the key words in this transformation is economic development through reform and opening the country. To this end, national governance must be stabilized. The people and government of Laos want a government of the people, by the people, for the people. And it is also important for Laos to cooperate with the international community. For economic development, foreign investment is important. Of course it is. Many foreign companies in Laos have contributed greatly to developing the nation’s economy and improving the people’s standard of living. And I think foreign investments also contributed greatly to improving cooperative ties with their home countries. The Laos government is preparing a new foreign investment law with an aim to enact it in July in order to aggressively attract foreign investment. Please tell us more about the new foreign investment law. The law will be an integration of the existing domestic investment law and the foreign investment law. The key is to end discrimination against foreign investors and treat them equally. The new law is the Laos government’s expression of its strong intention to attract foreign investment. We expect an increase in foreign investment once the new law takes effect. We also plan to establish a consultative body between the government and foreign investors. Foreigners are forbidden from owning land in Laos. Since the monarchy was overthrown in 1975, Laos has maintained the communist People’s Republic. All lands belong to the state. To attract foreign investment, the Laos government is seriously reviewing this issue. We are very much aware of foreign investors’ desire to own or hold long-term leases on land. This issue is being discussed at the legislature. What is your plan to attract Korean investment? We have high expectations of Korea. We appeal to Koreans to invest in Laos’s potentials, in such industries as logistics, underground resources, tourism and hydroelectric power generation. As of now, Korean companies have invested in developing mines and hydroelectric power plants. I strongly hope the two countries will actively cooperate in the tourism sector. Has the “Korean Wave” of popular culture arrived in Laos? The people of Laos have fallen in love with Korea’s TV dramas and music. Laos hopes to expand the two countries’ cultural exchanges. During my visit to Korea, I will discuss the issue with Seoul. We also hope more Korean tourists will visit Laos. The more Koreans visit Laos, the deeper the Laos people’s understanding about Korea will be. To this end, the Laos government approved last year visa exemptions for Koreans, allowing them to enter the country without [obtaining a visa beforehand]. *Bouasone Bouphavanh The prime minister of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic http://joongangdaily.joins.com/article/view.asp?aid=2905371

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        As  we all know travel to many countries asking for invesrors and begging for aid  time after time when some countries have the problems of their own . So it will be hard to get a sweet answer. Laos have a lot of natural resourses such as woods so now wood 70 to 80 percent gone. Now the next resoure are mines ther will be gone soon if we develop to fast to feed the Vietnam and China insdustries. Then what Laos  and Lao people are going to do when the other countries say no more aid. The reasons the China build the stadium for Lao in return , the Chinese immigrant a large amount of Chinese people into Laos. Also the Chinese are going to build the University in Vientiane that the Chinese kids could also to study there. Well, we are stuck with the Chinese and Vietnamese. As I said before in the other topics about the Chinese and beware 20 to 50 years from now. When the Chinese become the Lao citicizen they will indirectly take over Laos. Most of the busness and land  will be own by the Chinese . Laos is still Laos but rule and run by the Chinese who are Lao citizen. Don't forget these Chinese are sent by the Chinese goverment and they also very loyal to China. The local Lao people who are living in the coutry side are poor and still a sacond class citizen. Please , have a look at the youg kids and the people in the country side today . How do the Chinese think of those kids and people. Those people willl never catch up wit the chinese and the Vietnamese, they are always to be work in the farm and low pay labor for may generations to come. Laos goverment still not be able to reach them and build even elementary school for  all of them.

 

 The problems that make laos very poor and backward is very easy to see , we are all know that it the corruptions. If the corruptions could be resolved and the new laws must be written specially for the taxes. The government must dependent on the income from the taxes such as sell taxe, income taxes, property taxes and specially from the foreigners companies and the foreigners must pay very high taxes to live in Loas . Open the doors to every countries and investors to do business in Laos . So there will be more companies and more taxes to pay to the goverments and more jobs . Today only open to the Chinese and Vietnam more than the other because they are allies of Laos. That is not to much taxes collect from them .Only their aid that is not enough. Begging for aid very years  time after time just to survive that is the way to run the country. The country must depend on the taxes money not the aid. Today Lao goverment allow only some companies to do the business and too much corruptions.

 

Bouasone Bouphavanh The prime minister of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic

http://joongangdaily.joins.com/article/view.asp?aid=2905371

The more Koreans visit Laos, the deeper the Laos people’s understanding of Korea will be.?

LOL

How about Korea understand Laos correctlly first?

Where on Earth, There was no Corruptions ? Tell me, How the Heck Bernie- Maddoff ( Maddog) fool all of these ( smart people) for so long ? and How did Jim-Geithner ( secretary of Tresury ) got away with out paying Taxes for 4 years? and How did Charle Rangle ( Rep: from NY) Got away for not Reporting his Extra-Income.You guy know Who's Charle Rangle is? He the one that write the Tax code for all of us, If you don't pay Tax he ( I RS) go after us,

can he speak English..?

Corruption is like " beer lao" already became a part of Lao culture, if you are high ranking officer and you don't corrupt you will be washing out by other..this is the rule of Communist Laos. but corruption isn't  a core of development. the most important is, Laos don't has  high  technics on agriculture, our country is not industrial country, we import more than export, Our GDP is 6-7%, people are poor and no education, no income blabla!!! if the economic is good, the corruption doesn't affect the country.

 

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          Well, my brother please think again if you think Corruption doesn't  affect the economy and the country. For Example  1. If the police corrupted and allow the drug dealers and the drug smugglers  and the drug pushers to sell drug to the Lao young kids and all of them become the drug addicts so what is Laos future would be?  2. Suppose Laos get the aid money to build schoo, hospitals roads airport...etc... and the high ranking officers who could laid their hands on the money and stole  them all . 3. suppose Laos do not get any foreign aid any more and the Lao goverment depent on the collecting taxes from every citizens and business and foreign compapnies then the corrupted goevrment steal  all the money when they have the opportunity. So what would you do in this case my brother? I knew as you told me corruptions just like Laobeer and become Lao culture . If you want Lao to go ahead  and ctch up with the world and Laos not depent on the foreign aid . What should Laos do to these corrupted officers who pulled Laos back from getting progress. Now you tell me my brother. I call you brother because I know  that you care and love Laos as much I do. I know corruption are every where but not as bad as Laos. Because the whole party cover up for each other that make it worst. Soon or later Laos is still be Laos only by name only but will be run and rule by China or Vietnam.

 

Anonymous wrote:

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Corruption is like " beer lao" already became a part of Lao culture, if you are high ranking officer and you don't corrupt you will be washing out by other..this is the rule of Communist Laos. but corruption isn't  a core of development. the most important is, Laos don't has  high  technics on agriculture, our country is not industrial country, we import more than export, Our GDP is 6-7%, people are poor and no education, no income blabla!!! if the economic is good, the corruption doesn't affect the country.

 

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Well, my brother please think again if you think Corruption doesn't  affect the economy and the country. For Example  1. If the police corrupted and allow the drug dealers and the drug smugglers  and the drug pushers to sell drug to the Lao young kids and all of them become the drug addicts so what is Laos future would be?  2. Suppose Laos get the aid money to build schoo, hospitals roads airport...etc... and the high ranking officers who could laid their hands on the money and stole  them all . 3. suppose Laos do not get any foreign aid any more and the Lao goverment depent on the collecting taxes from every citizens and business and foreign compapnies then the corrupted goevrment steal  all the money when they have the opportunity. So what would you do in this case my brother? I knew as you told me corruptions just like Laobeer and become Lao culture . If you want Lao to go ahead  and ctch up with the world and Laos not depent on the foreign aid . What should Laos do to these corrupted officers who pulled Laos back from getting progress. Now you tell me my brother. I call you brother because I know  that you care and love Laos as much I do. I know corruption are every where but not as bad as Laos. Because the whole party cover up for each other that make it worst. Soon or later Laos is still be Laos only by name only but will be run and rule by China or Vietnam.

 

 

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Hey brother,  i do agree with you about your point here,because Laos is poor  many funding to develop rely on foreign aid, Laos economic is not growing fast such other neighbor  countries,so THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD NOT CORRUPT IN THIS SITUATION, IF THE COUNTRY HAS A STRONG ECONOMIC SUCH AS CHINA AND S.KOREA, I THINK IT DOESN'T OBVIOUSLY AFFECT THE WHOLE COUNTRY... ANY COUNTRY HAS A CORRUPTION IN THE WORLD, SOME ARE VERY OBVIOUS AND SOME HIDE IN THE BACK.. LAOS IS CALLED ONE OF WORLD'S CORRUPT COUNTRY. BECAUSE WE ARE POOR, WHEN THEY DON'T KNOW WHER IS THE AID THEY WOULD SAY " GOVERNMENT CORRUPTION"  THE WORLD AND MEDIA DON'T WRITE ABOUT LOT AND MENTION MUCH ABOUT THE CORRUPTION IN CHINA, BECAUSE CHINA STILL KEEP THE ECONOMIC GROWTH STEADLY AND MORE EXPORT TO THE WORLD.

 

Anonymous wrote:

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Hey brother,  i do agree with you about your point here,because Laos is poor  many funding to develop rely on foreign aid, Laos economic is not growing fast such other neighbor  countries,so THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD NOT CORRUPT IN THIS SITUATION, IF THE COUNTRY HAS A STRONG ECONOMIC SUCH AS CHINA AND S.KOREA, I THINK IT DOESN'T OBVIOUSLY AFFECT THE WHOLE COUNTRY... ANY COUNTRY HAS A CORRUPTION IN THE WORLD, SOME ARE VERY OBVIOUS AND SOME HIDE IN THE BACK.. LAOS IS CALLED ONE OF WORLD'S CORRUPT COUNTRY. BECAUSE WE ARE POOR, WHEN THEY DON'T KNOW WHER IS THE AID THEY WOULD SAY " GOVERNMENT CORRUPTION"  THE WORLD AND MEDIA DON'T WRITE ABOUT LOT AND MENTION MUCH ABOUT THE CORRUPTION IN CHINA, BECAUSE CHINA STILL KEEP THE ECONOMIC GROWTH STEADLY AND MORE EXPORT TO THE WORLD.

 

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         Yes , now   how are we going to do not to resolve the problems and not let the foreign countries get too much advantages from us . Will the goverment listen to you or me about stoping the corruption specially the police and the drug smugglers and dealers and the drug pushers that destroy the Lao youth.

 

Drug problem is very serious in Laos at the present, the middle school and high school students become a drug dealer and themselves  become a drug addicted , some  girl students become a hooker due to they  don't have enough money to buy clothes, buy cosmetics and entertainments. many young students flunk out and across the Mekong become a illegal worker in Thailand,some send back to the money, some are missing ,some are return due to the police captures and send back!!

  the government try to work-hard to control the drug problem in Laos, but it seems that it's not easy work for resolve the drug problem, drug problem occurs in around the world, even the developed country such as USA,UK ,JPAN can't stop and solve the drug problem. 

I Personally think that to solve the corruption problem is a long-term .why I say that? because Lao people are poor, Lao people has low income, Lao people rely on the agriculture to feed themselves ,as long as people has chance to get more income such as ''corruption" people won't deny it and receive those money , the officer don't really realize that the corruption will affect the country, they just realize that these money for the family, for nice car, nice drink, nice girls blabla  . corruption word is never used and any heard in Lao government offices ,i think the officer corrupts and they don't know they corrupt.

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I understand that our country is poor therefore more corruptions. 
The PM promised to crackdown on corruptions, but so far no one has been prosecuted (he's not true to his words).

The government encourages foreign investment in Laos, but their visa policy is not friendly to the investers, if you have a business in Laos, they only allowed you stay in Laos maximum 6 months, if you're over stayed, you will have to pay $1.00 a day.

People who are investing in Laos are facing a lot of difficulties:

You must know the officials, if you don't, you have to pay fee to the person that introduces you to the official then they said you must pay the official in order to get things done (other wise they won't sign or give a go ahead for you), for a bigger project, 1 signature can easily cost you US$10,000 (handing the money under the table is an old style, these days they all do on top of the table) by the time you have all the paper work done, 1/4 or 1/2 of your investment money is already gone without spending on anything yet.

There are a lot of unemployed people in Laos, there are a lot of Vietnamese working in Laos.  ban Naxay in Vientiane is full of Vietnamese, soon it will be called a Vietnamese town.

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

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I understand that our country is poor therefore more corruptions. 
The PM promised to crackdown on corruptions, but so far no one has been prosecuted (he's not true to his words).

The government encourages foreign investment in Laos, but their visa policy is not friendly to the investers, if you have a business in Laos, they only allowed you stay in Laos maximum 6 months, if you're over stayed, you will have to pay $1.00 a day.

People who are investing in Laos are facing a lot of difficulties:

You must know the officials, if you don't, you have to pay fee to the person that introduces you to the official then they said you must pay the official in order to get things done (other wise they won't sign or give a go ahead for you), for a bigger project, 1 signature can easily cost you US$10,000 (handing the money under the table is an old style, these days they all do on top of the table) by the time you have all the paper work done, 1/4 or 1/2 of your investment money is already gone without spending on anything yet.

There are a lot of unemployed people in Laos, there are a lot of Vietnamese working in Laos.  ban Naxay in Vientiane is full of Vietnamese, soon it will be called a Vietnamese town.

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 this policy, the policy that allows vietnamese and chinese to work in Laos illegally and legally, i don't support this policy at all, and i don't know what the do lao leaders think about it?  the reason that why? you guys should be very clear of the reason, Laos recieves many aid from those coutries, thats why laos can't deny to allow those workers come to work and do business in LAOS.

 i was supprised by the vieitnamese when I was in the bus from the southern Laos. the most percentage of passenger are vietnamese, where are laotian in the bus? i felt like I was in the town of vietnam??

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        It is the truth what you told me ?  Well, It is too late then. Laos is completed, took over by Vietnamese and I guess, they are living in Laos without paying any taxes and may be illegally  as well. As you know , Laos will never be on her own feet as long Laos dependent on the Vietnamese and Chinese aid or foreign aid because that money never enough. Loas should give a chance to the  people like you from every where to open and help them to build the business so the local people have jobs and pay their taxes. What they did to you by coorrupted and drive you and the other businees people out of busibess and out of  the country. Laos need more big or small business in Laos so there have more taxes to collect  . They should make all the Vietnamese and Chinese to pay higher taxes than the llocal people. If they don't like it so they can go back to Vietnam or China. I Know Vietnam and China help Laos but they don't have to come and live in Laos by the million in return. They make a lot of profit from Lao wood any way. 

 

Dek Mor 5, Vientiane wrote:

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I am boring with those complaint too much ! the PM does his best
it is not that easy to change the situation in 1 day or 1 year.

Those who live abroad, you never open Lao policy's book, and you just keep complaining and complaining, but no good or bright suggestion for the government.
If you are smart enough, please please please... I beg you all to post your constructive comments here. And I'll see if you really smart enough

Barking to other people without giving reason and suggestion are wastes.

Good point,  i agree with you

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Above are some of the suggestions, it's up to them to liten to the voice from the people concern, we all want our country improve.

Anyone of you here would agree with me, for anything to improve, there must be a competition, right?  If there is no competition, there won't be any fast improvement.

There is a Lao government slogen which says:  Pa tait lao pen kong kon lao mod took kon  (Laos belongs to every Lao).   The government should give Lao a chance to run the country too then.

Same thing can be applied to Laos, if there are two or more political parties in Laos, I am sure Lao will improve in no time.  Just say if that party is not impressed by the people, they won't be re-elected in the next time around. 

GIVE EVERY LAO A FAIR GO.

Wow!! I can't believe the one who translated the dialogue!!! Range 1 (worse) to 10 (Best), I can give him/her only 2 + 1/2  = 2.5