Northern provinces to apply hydropower as engine of growth

Northern provinces to apply hydropower as engine of growth
(KPL) Eight northern provinces and the central province of Vientiane are determined to focus on developing hydropower for agriculture-based processing industry, trade, tourism and mining as the mainstay for the industrial development.
This is part of a master plan for the development of the northern provinces from now till 2020.
The plan was delivered by Dr Liber Libuapao, Acting Head of National Economic Research Institute in the Ministry of Planning and Investment on 11 November.
This plan was discussed by deputy ministers, deputy governors of nine northern provinces, Phongsaly, Luang Namtha, Bokeo, Oudomsay, Sayaboury, Luang Prabang, Houaphanh, Xiengkhouang and Vientiane and technical staff.
During this meeting the participants agreed on several issues: that Luang Prabang is designated as a centre, Bokeo-Phongsaly as an economic corridor (linking the Houaysai-Boten-Phongsaly border) and Thaichang, Botene-Luang Prabang-Vientiane Capital and Nongkai, Thailand, Houaisai-Luang Prabang-Xiengkhouang and Vietnam border), industrial production area is Oudomsay, Vientiane and Xiengkhouang and border trade area is Botene-Houaisai, Kenethao and Nonghae.
The participants also agreed that the master plan should focus on agricultural and forestry development, trade, investment, industry, handicraft and infrastructural development. Last, but not least they all said that the plan should be concerned about sustainable development and poverty reduction.