(KPL) On the 1st and 2ndJuly 2020, UNICEF Lao PDR handed over personal protective equipment (PPE) worth US$30,000 to the Lao Women’s Union (LWU) and the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare (MOLSW) respectively. The PPE will be distributed to MOLSW and LWU staff working in the area of child protection at national, provincial and district levels in 12 provinces and Vientiane Capital.

(KPL) In Bolikhamxay and Champasak provinces respectively, Department of Hygiene and Health Promotion, Ministry of Health with UNFPA, convened representatives from Health, Education, Lao Youth Union, Lao Women’s Union, and the Lao Front for National Development between Jun 26 and 30 to re-energise the national family planning programme. Participants from the six central provinces attended the meeting in Bolikhamxay. While in Champasak, another 50 participants from the southern provinces joined. Amongst the first events convened post lockdown, the workshops highlighted government commitment to Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights and to Family Planning as a key health programme providing a high return on investment (USD 7 saved for every USD1 spent) while directly contributing to the reduction of maternal mortality and poverty.

(KPL) The Prime Minister’s Office has warned ministers, provincial governors and relevant authorities not to neglect containment and preventive measures against Covid-19 citing the country remains at risk of facing second wave of the disease as confirmed cases in the region and around the world keep rising.

(KPL) Star Fintech Sole Co., Ltd and Joint Development Bank (JDB) have agreed to cooperate on linking payments.

(KPL) Indian Embassy to Laos organized on Jun 27 a Yoga exercise event to celebrate the 6th International Day of Yoga in Vientiane Capital.

(KPL) Several targets set for the government’s socio-economic development plan, state budget plan, and monetary plan are unlikely to be met due to slow growth in service industry and other sectors of economic composition, according to Vice President of the National Assembly Bounpone Bouttanavong.

(KPL) The Ministry of Post and Telecommunications has issued a notice urging phone users to re-register phone and internet SIM cards from Jul 1, 2020. Phone users can register their SIM cards in three different phases with phase one scheduled for Jul 1 - Nov 30, 2020. No new SIM cards can be used without registration during phase one.

(KPL) Contractors have reported sound progress in constructing the Laos-China railway as 89.43 % of planned structural construction work had been carried out by the end of May.

(KPL) A 3-day media visit was organized in Lunag Namtha and Bokeo provinces from 16-18 June by the Centre for Communication and Education for Health (CCEH), Ministry of Health, in collaboration with Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism and UNICEF.

(KPL) Developing Asia will barely grow in 2020 as containment measures to address the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic hamper economic activity and weaken external demand, according to a new set of forecasts from the Asian Development Bank (ADB).