Visit Lao PDR 2018

Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith officially launched the “Visit Laos 2018” program, a national program focusing on tourism. The announcement was made to coincide with the annually organised That Luang Festival, as the event featured traditional rituals in a stupa, cultural performances, a fair and the presentation of traditional houses. During the ceremony, the Prime Minister hit the gong nine times, sending an “invitation” to future guests all over the world. The Minister for Tourism and Culture, Dr. Bosengkham Vongdara also gave a speech: “Over the past few years, the Government of Lao PDR has regarded tourism as a sector facilitating socio-economic development. Tourism gives rise to goods and services which ensure substantial foreign currency receipts for the national economy; also, there will be more job opportunities available for people working in the service and processing sectors, particularly for those engaged in arts and crafts and agriculture.” Income from tourism also improves the country’s balance of payments.

“Even though Laos has had opportunities to receive international visitors and to process the experiences of this, the country has yet to improve ease of access (easing the issue of visas) and more information needs to be provided to tourists in English”, says Stephen Morton, editor-in-chief of e-Global Travel Media. Critical issues include the development of infrastructure and services, including sites of tourist attraction and internet speed. The Government organised “Visit Laos” years twice, first in 1999-2000 and then 2011-2012, to attract more foreign tourists to roam the country. There were 737,208 registered visitors in 2000, generating USD 113,898,285 in profits. By 2015, this figure hiked to 4,684,429 visitors, resulting in an estimated income of USD 725,365,681. According to forecasts, the number of tourists visiting Laos will be close to 6,206,420 by 2020, and the associated income is estimated at USD 993,427,000.

Signing of the Cooperation Agreement between the Hungarian National Agricultural Research and Innovation Center (NARIC) and the Laotian National Agriculture and Forestry Research Institute (NAFRI), 8 December 2017

On December 8 the Cooperation Agreement between the two institutions was signed by Csaba Gyuricza, Director-General of NARIC and Prof. Bounthong Bouhaom, the head of NAFRI in the presence of Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr. Parisak Pravongviengkham in the Laotian Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. The Framework Agreement provides a good framework among the institutions of the two countries for strengthening research and development work and carrying out R & D programs that give scientific basis for the successful implementation of common agricultural and food programs.

’The agricultural and food package focuses mainly on the further development of the food safety system, the modernization of beef production and processing, building silos and the Hungarian support for local agricultural research and education programs for about $ 5 million’, said Gyuricza Csaba. The agreement was signed by the NARIC Director-General with the head of Laotian Agricultural Research and Innovation Centre. The agreement will allow for exchange of researchers between the two countries, furthermore Hungarian and Laotian professionals can work together for agricultural development with more practical use, such as in the field of food safety, food processing and consultancy.

Hungarian Embassy hosted a ceremony on the occasion of the 55th anniversary of the establishment of the Hungarian-Lao diplomatic relations,  Vientiane, 7 December, 2017

The Embassy of Hungary in Bangkok hosted a high-quality reception in,Lao Plaza Hotel (in Vientiane) on 7 December. The Ambassador Péter Jakab and Mr. Sengphet Houngboungnuang, Laotian Deputy Foreign Minister made a speech at the reception. Dr. Lien Thikeo, the Minister of Agriculture, also attended the ceremony, which indicates the importance of agriculture in the cooperation of the two countries.

About 160 people participated in the reception, which clearly shows that Hungarian -Lao relations are still strong, especially within the students who made their studies in Hungary.

Visit by senior staff of the Laotian Ministry of Agriculture, Department of Livestock and Fisheries, to Szarvas on 5 August 2017

First, the guests visited  NAIK-HAKI, which institution is decisive in the development of Hungarian-Laotian agricultural relations. Initially, cooperation was restricted to the development of fisheries, but it has been expanded continuously to cover development projects in livestock management and fodder production and later food chain safety also.

Béla Halasi Kovács presented the organisation and the operation of the institution, which adjusts to changing circumstances, particularly with respect to meeting practical needs. In the future, HAKI may have a stronger role in Hungarian-Laotian cooperation; the renewal of cooperation between HAKI and LARReC, its Laotian partner institution, would be mutually advantageous. Signing a cooperation agreement between NAIK and NAFRI, its potential Laotian partner, could provide an excellent framework for this. The Laotian party emphasised that HAKI could assist in the implementation of the tied aid loan program currently in progress, as the development of quality fish supply is one of its main elements.

The guest showed great interest in inspecting the recirculatory systems of the institute, whose structure and the works carried out were presented by Sándor Diviki and Gyula Kovács. Afterwards, led by Béla Halasi-K, they paid a brief visit to the experimental lakes, where they acquainted themselves with the “lake in the lake” system. In view of the importance of Laotian rice production and ecological management, the program of the visit to Szarvas included the inspection of the eco-rice processing plant of Vereckei Kft., where the guests observed an example of applying quality assurance in practice.

The “Szarvas Fish Days” were held during the visit of the Laotian guests, so they had the opportunity to see a cultural and gastronomy event linked to fishing. The Laotian guests visited HAKI’s presentation stand, where Gyöngyvér Fazekas gave them information. After lunch, the guests visited ÖVKI’s experimental site at Galambos, where Orsolya Molnár informed them of their work related to rice sublimation and maintenance breeding; the guests also paid a brief visit to the packaging plant of Oryza Karex Kft. The last stop of their visit was at the lab of ÖVKI KAK, where Dóra Sinka received the guests and explained the work of the lab. The Laotian experts see an opportunity for utilising ÖVKI’s experience in improving the efficiency of the operation of similar Laotian laboratories.

Szaleumxay Kommasith, the Laotian Minister of Foreign Affairs in Budapest, 30-31 May 2017

The Laotian Minister of Foreign Affairs last visited Hungary 27 years ago and he has had nice memories of the pioneer camp in Csillebérc and of Lake Balaton. Although his official trip only last for one day, the organizers, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the active enterprises in Laos, tried to arrange such a program which provided the opportunity to visit some sights of Budapest and to recall the old memories. H.E. Mr. Péter Jakab, Ambassador of Hungary to Laos, (who travelled to Hungary to welcome the Laotian Minister of Foreign Affairs) and Mr. László Váradi, Honorary Consul of Laos in Hungary, accompanied the Laotian Minister and his delegation to the programs.

The Laotian Minister of Foreign Affairs and his delegation visited the Parliament, where he was welcomed by Mr. István Jakab, the Vice-President of the Parliament, who also greeted the Minister and his delegation on behalf of Mr. László Kövér, the President of the Parliament (he was abroad at that time). After the official meeting and press conference with Mr. Péter Szijjártó, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Hungarian Foreign Minister held a lunch in the restaurant of the Ministry meanwhile the guests could admire the panorama of Budapest from its balcony. In the evening of the delegation’s arrival in Budapest the Lao guests attended a dinner cruise along the Danube, where they could enjoy the Hungarian dishes and wines from Hungarian wine regions.  Finally, it was managed to put a little tour of the city into the crowded official program and to see the Heroes’ Square and the Citadel.

Sinlavong Khoutphaythoune, Mayor of Vientiane, in Budapest, 24-26 April 2017

On 24 April Mr. István Tarlós, Mayor of Budapest received Sinlavong Khoutphaythoune,  Mayor of Vientiane in his office on. The parties confirmed their intention to expand cooperation in the field of urban planning and development, culture and tourism, support for small and medium-sized enterprises and water affairs. In conjunction with the latter, the members of the Lao delegation visited the central waste water treatment plant in Csepel.

Mayor Sinlavong visited Budapest within the framework of the cooperation agreement between the two capitals, which was signed by the two Mayors in Vientiane on 22 June, 2016, during István Tarlós’ visit in Laos. During the visit Mayor Sinlavong and his delegation went to see the main attractions of Budapest, including the one of the most famous landmarks, the Parliament and the Lázár Equestriam Park in Domonyvölgy.

László Váradi met the renewed Praesidium of the Laotian-Hungarian Friendship Society (LHFS) in Laos on February 23

Proposed by the President of LHFS, the cooperation agreement between the two friendship societies was supplemented. This was necessary to enable LHFS to receive ad hoc financial support. The signing took place in the meeting room of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF), Department of Livestock and Fisheries (DLF). MAF DLF provides the administrative conditions for LHFS’ operation as well as the venue for its meetings. As shown by the photo below, the 6-member Praesidium of LHFS also participated in the signing of the supplement to the agreement.

Left to right in the photo: Dr. Somphanh Chanpengxay, Head of Department, MAF DLF; Sangvone Phanhavilay, Head of Department, Ministry of Finance; Dr. László Váradi, Co-president of HLFS; Dr. Parisak Pravongviengkham, MAF Deputy Minister, President of LHFS; Simone Lamaningao, Secretary of LHFS; Khamphoune Temerath, CEO of the Public Transportation Company of Vientiane, Capital City; Phoukhong Chanthachack, Director-General of Banque Pour Le Commerce Exterieur Lao Public (BCEL)

After the signing, Dr. Parisak, President of LHFS briefed the Praesidium on the visit of the LHFS delegation to Hungary, the signed agreement and the action plan. He presented the plans for cooperation between the friendship societies, the opportunities as well as the challenges. He underlined the organisation of membership as a priority task. On behalf of HLFS, Dr. László Váradi congratulated the new Praesidium and expressed his pleasure over the fact that the renewal of LHFS would contribute to the strengthening of cooperation. He reaffirmed that HLFS was ready to implement the cooperation agreement and the programs in the 2017 Action Plan. He informed the LHFS Praesidium that he received the DVD containing the Laotian movie to be shown to HLFS members as well as the right of presentation from the movie’s director, Keola Anysay.

Laotian Delegation in Budapest between 9-11 February and Cooperation Agreement signed between HLFS and LHFS

A Letter of Intent and an Action Plan on a new type of cooperation between the Laotian-Hungarian Friendship Society (LHFS) and the Hungarian-Laotian Friendship Society (HLFS) was signed on 11 February 2017. The two documents were signed by Dr. Phouang Parisak Pravongviengkham, President of LHFS and Deputy Minister for Agriculture and Forest Management and dr. László Váradi, Co-president and CEO of Vitafort AgroAsia. The event was held at the Budapest Consular Office of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic. The fact that the organisation of LHFS in general, and its management in particular, is fully renewed provides a favourable backdrop for renewing cooperation between the two organisations. The newly nominated Praesidium has six members, all earned their degrees in Hungary and they are rather familiar with Hungary’s economic and cultural life. There are four main areas of the cooperation agreement: joint development of economic, educational, cultural and scientific programs and participation in their implementation within the framework of financial and other possibilities. The Action Plan for 2017 includes partly the programs of the two organisations and partly the events to be jointly hosted by them.

Festivities on account of the Laotian New Year, welcoming the newly arriving Laotian students and continuous maintenance of contact, involvement in the organisation of the exhibition “Naga, birds and elephants” in the Ferenc Hopp Museum of Asiatic Arts, joint museum visits, commemorating the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries 55 years ago constitute important events in the annual program of HLFS. The annual program of LHFS includes the renewal of contacts with Laotian students who graduated earlier, enhancing the popularity of major Hungarian cultural, literary and tourism events and providing local coordination in order to ensure an increasingly efficient implementation of scholarship programs within the framework of the Stipendium Hungaricum Program. Supporting cultural and tourism programs within the framework of cooperation between the capitals of the two countries, promotion of the participation of Laotian companies in OMÉK, Hungary’s Food Industry Exhibition and supporting the production of a documentary launched previously about Laotian people who studied or still live in Hungary and Hungarians who used to work in Laos as experts were specified as joint activities to be pursued.