Laos to promote handicrafts and processing industry

In the first nine months of the 2015-16 fiscal year, the value of industrial handicrafts and processing products exceeded 4.3 trillion kip (Bt18.77 billion), which was an increase of 9 per cent compared with the previous year.
Products in this category that the country can produce to supply domestic markets include foods, drinks, clothes, paper and paper products.
The total value of these products this year is expected to surpass 5.6 trillion kip, or 88.5 per cent of the planned 6.3 trillion kip.
The government says it targets 6.927 trillion kip worth of these types of products in 2017. It targets US$8.941 billion (Bt319 billion) in trade this year, comprising $4.459 billion in export value and $4.482 billion in import value, for a $23-million trade deficit, according to the government’s socio-economic development plan for 2017.
Electricity production is projected at 30 billion kilowatt-hours, comprising 25 billion kilowatt-hours for export and 5,000kWh for domestic distribution, so that and households nationwide can access electricity as planned.
The number of hydropower, coal-fired and biomass power-generations projects will be increased to 54 nationwide in 2017, with an installed capacity of more than 6,859 megawatts.
Electricity generation will also produce more than 35,695kWh per year to enable the full capacity of electricity production in order to supply sufficient electricity and reduce power imports.
Mineral production is expected to reach 15 trillion kip, and $1.52 billion for mineral exports.
The government says it will pay attention to implementing land transportation services, targeting transport of 5.617 billion tonnes of goods and 67.67 billion passengers.
Air transportation of goods is projected at 1.35 billion tonnes and 2 million people.
Water transportation of goods is expected to reach 1.895 billion tonnes, and 3.2 million people will be transported by water.
To achieve all of its targets, the government says it will support and promote production, agricultural processing and industry to exploit raw materials within the country.
Officials will continue to improve the competence and ability of workers in the garment industry through a development centre for this purpose.
The government says it will also promote construction-material production by focusing on monitoring systems for quality and standards. This will apply to materials produced within the country and those that are imported. 
Officials also plan to improve wood-processing factories in line with government policy.