Vientiane looks to boost use of Lao-made products and enhance consumer protection

These issues were discussed at a meeting held on Saturday at the Vientiane Industry and Commerce Department and the meeting was presided over by the Vice Mayor of Vientiane, Dr Athsaphangthong Siphandone. Participants exchanged views on achieving a balance between the demand and supply of domestically-made goods and minimising the unnecessary import of foreign products. The meeting was attended by representatives of the capital's trade and investment promotion and agro-business units, members of Vientiane's management boards, and organic vegetable growers. 

A pig breeder and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the CS Group, Mr Khanthong Sipaserth, told the meeting that his large farm produces a large amount of pork and piglets every month but is still unable to meet market demand. "I believe consumers are confused about food safety because of the recent outbreak of African swine flu that caused some panic. Domestic trade promotion authorities should partner with the food and drug sector to provide the right information about Lao-made products", he said. He suggested that the most successful way to promote local products was to increase the use of Lao-made goods by the government, minimise the import of foreign goods and substitute them with home-grown products. 

Head of the Board of Management at Nongchanh market in Sisattanak district, Mr Bounnoy Vongsay, said the market was a large venue for the sale of fresh produce and allowed organic vegetable growers to sell their goods. "On behalf of the market's management team, I'd like to openly declare that we are willing to support the organic and clean vegetable growers of Vientiane. We would also like to support growers with special offers, such as not paying any rent for two months", he said. He said the market's management team would arrange a special zone for organic farmers as part of efforts to promote the consumption of locally grown produce. Other markets in Vientiane sch sa the Lao-Aussie Fresh Market in Sikhottabong district and Haykham Market in Xaysettha district have agreed to support the promotion of local agricultural produce.

In his concluding remarks at the meeting, the Vice Mayor of Vientiane, Dr Athsaphangthong Siphandone, said the city's authorities will continue to promote domestic products and improve the protection of consumers. "Vientiane authorities will cooperate with the Vientiane Chamber of Commerce and Industry to learn about the demand and supply of domestic products and find proper ways to provide trade and investment information in Vientiane", he said. He added that this meeting between representatives of Vientiane's markets and agricultural producers was just the beginning of closer coordination that will continue to form different working groups to roll out policies to promote domestic goods and protect consumers.

Director of the Vientiane Industry and Commerce Department, Mr Berlin Phetchantharath, and domestic trade officials from various districts in Vientiane also attended the meeting. 

Information source: Vientiane Times.