PM praises energy, mining sectors

Prime Minister Bouasone Bouphavanh has congratulated the energy and
mining sectors on their 20 percent growth last year, exceeding the
target set by the government.

"The target for expansion was set at only 15 to 16 percent," Mr
Bouasone told participants at the annual meeting of the energy and
mining sectors held in Vientiane yesterday.

"Outputs exceeded the target because of the good administration and
promotion of these sectors."

In the energy sector, the government plans to supply electricity to
about 70 percent of the population in 2010 and 90 percent in 2020,
focusing on the remote areas.

"It won't be easy to reach these targets," Mr Bouasone added. He
advised the sectors concerned to study to what extent people already
had access to electricity.

To reach its goals, energy developers should not only focus on
hydropower but should also consider sources such as the sun and wind.

He pointed out that Xieng Khuang province had strong winds which may
be able to be harnessed for energy generation.

Hydropower and mines depend on natural resources which, if exploited
by developers in the right way, will be sustainable.

"We try to protect trees around reservoirs and in Nationally Protected
Areas to preserve our rivers and keep rainfall stable. It is essential
that farmers give up slash and burn cultivation," Mr Bouasone said.

By 2020 Laos hopes to have energy generation with an installation
capacity of 30,000MW. This figure may be higher if energy production
involves a variety of methods.

In the past the government tried to attract investors in energy and
mines but few developers showed interest.

"Now we are attracting many more investors because of our current
policies," Mr Bouasone said.

The annual meeting was held to study and discuss improvements to
regulations and laws governing these sectors, with particular
attention paid to the work of projects after they have been granted
government concessions.

The meeting also reviewed the implementation and achievements of
projects in these sectors over the past year and produced a
development strategy from the present until 2020.

By Vientiane Times
(Latest Update April 4, 2008)