(KPL) On the sidelines of the 12th National Congress of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party, the Secretary of the Champasak Provincial Party Committee, Mr. Alounxay Sounnalath, delivered a comprehensive progress report highlighting the province’s rapid economic and social transformation and its ambition to become the development hub of southern Laos.

Mr. Alounxay reported that Champasak has achieved “100 percent success” in addressing key social challenges, while accelerating a strategic shift toward high-value production and export-oriented growth.

Two “100 Percent” Achievements

The provincial secretary highlighted two major breakthroughs during the recent administrative term. First, Champasak has successfully closed the infrastructure gap in its most disadvantaged areas by completing concrete road access to the remaining six hard-to-reach villages across five districts, effectively achieving full road connectivity.

He noted that the initiative was strongly supported by public participation, with more than 70 billion Kip mobilized directly from the people, reflecting high levels of public trust, political awareness, and unity.

Second, the province resolved a long-standing education challenge by fully integrating volunteer teachers into the formal education system. This move cleared a backlog that had accumulated over more than a decade and has significantly strengthened human resource development and long-term educational stability in the province.

From Agriculture to High-Value Exports

Mr. Alounxay emphasized that Champasak is moving beyond subsistence agriculture toward becoming a competitive export-oriented province. The development strategy now focuses on high-value and climate-resilient products.

Mulberry-based products are currently exported to seven countries, including Germany. At the same time, new investment initiatives in macadamia nut cultivation and sturgeon farming for caviar production are being promoted to access premium and luxury markets.

In tourism, the province has recorded steady growth, with up to seven flights per day operating through Pakse International Airport. New international routes connecting Pakse with Guangzhou are already in operation, while a Pakse–Hong Kong route is under consideration. These developments, he said, have effectively eliminated the traditional “low season” for tourism in Champasak.

Five Strategic Directions Toward 2026

Looking ahead to the implementation of the resolutions of the 12th National Party Congress, the provincial secretary outlined five strategic priorities aimed at achieving 6 percent GDP growth:

Strengthening Party leadership and discipline at the grassroots level

Promoting the rule of law and transparent governance

Building an independent and self-reliant economy, with a focus on agriculture and tourism

Enhancing regional integration by coordinating development with neighboring southern provinces

Implementing targeted poverty reduction measures to lift the remaining 996 households out of poverty by 2026

Mr. Alounxay concluded that unity remains the decisive factor for success, stating that Champasak’s recent achievements form a strong foundation for its future role as a leading economic and development center in southern Laos.

KPL