(KPL) The monthly meeting for April of the government was held on Apr 25-26 at the Prime Minister’s Office in Vientiane under the presidency of PM Sonexay Siphandone.

The meeting was attended by Deputy Prime Ministers, cabinet members, representatives of line ministries and equivalent agencies, and leaders of the provinces and Vientiane.

The participants urged relevant authorities to focus on preparing a report to the 8th plenary session of the Party Central Committee (11th legislature) to be held in coming weeks; implement the Politburo’s resolution No. 04 on developing an independent and self reliance economy in the new era by translating it into work plans, action plans and concrete actions; continue to address pressing economic and financial issues by translating into reality the measures, legal instruments issued by the Politburo.

Relevant authorities were asked to focus on modernizing revenue collection and addressing revenue loopholes in a strict and decisive manner and to pay attention to supervising the implementation of the government expenditure plan using thrifty and anti-extravagant measures and cutting foreign-currency expenditures.

The government urged more attention to be attached to monitoring major investment projects especially those designed to promote energy export to neighbouring countries, express way projects, special economic zones, as well as to addressing electricity shortage in the country.

Relevant authorities were urged to continue to encourage mining companies across the country to strictly comply with environmental protection measures and impose strict measures against those violating the law.

They were asked to continue to improve national roads, roads in municipal areas ahead of the arrival of the rainy season and to address air pollutions including PM 2.5 and slash and burn activities and prepare a natural disaster and heat waves response plan.

The meeting approved in principles a draft strategy on special economic zone development 2021-2030, a 10-year draft strategy on the elderly 2035, a draft strategy on forests 2035 and vision 2050 and a draft decree on the supervision of endangered aquatic and wildlife animals and plants.

KPL