Published
on
By
The Lao PDR Ministry of Public Works and Transport today launched an initiative to improve transport, connectivity, climate resilience, and east-west regional trade across the north of the country. The Southeast Asia Regional Economic Corridor and Connectivity Project is backed by World Bank financing and is designed to help people in the northern provinces benefit from expanding regional trade and transport connections.
The project was designed to complement the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Master Plan on Connectivity. The new project will upgrade Lao National Road 2 connecting Thailand, Laos and Vietnam, thus building an east-west corridor that links with existing north-south routes in mainland Southeast Asia. The upgraded road’s design will protect it from the storms, floods and landslides which are becoming more frequent because of climate change.
Other activities include the development of dry ports, marketplaces, trucking terminals, and locations where farmers can bring their produce for transport to national and foreign markets. A major aim is to improve the ability of local smallholders to market goods that can be traded via the new transport networks.
“We are seeing dramatic improvements in the transport infrastructure running from the north to the central part of the country,” said Mr. Viengsavath Siphandone, Minister of Public Works and Transport. “However, without local connections to these and other trade routes, most people in the provinces will not be able to take advantage of these new facilities. This is therefore an essential investment in our future”.
Alex Kremer, World Bank Lao PDR Country Manager, agreed with the minister, adding, “But while transport connectivity is important,” it’s not enough. To benefit more from its strategic location Laos needs logistics services, a more competitive and efficient trucking industry and cross-border management, and better quality last-mile connectivity. This project will support government efforts in these areas”.
National Road 2 is a section of Asian Highway 13 and runs for almost 300 km from the Thai border at Huai Kone-Nam Ngeun to the Vietnamese border at Panghok-Tay Trang. It bisects the new Laos-China railway in Oudomxay province, creating the potential for transport connectivity among China, Laos, Thailand, and Vietnam. The project will improve and widen sections of the road to meet Asian highway standards, making the road safer and climate resilient.
Upgrades will also be made to connecting local roads in the provinces of Luang Namtha, Luang Prabang, Oudomxay, Phongsaly, and Xayaboury. At the same time, separate project components will focus on improving border crossing facilities — including digitization of cross-border business processes for border clearance efficiency, and strengthening institutional capacity and regulatory frameworks for agricultural trade, transport, and investment planning at national and provincial levels. At the same time, project teams will provide communities living along the roads with information on human trafficking; communicable diseases; road safety; and sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment.
The project, will be implemented by the Lao Ministry of Public Works and Transport, with support from provincial administrations and the Ministries of Finance, Agriculture and Forestry, and Investment and Commerce. Australia is to provide 10 million Australian dollars of parallel financing. The project is expected to be completed in May 2028.
Additional World Bank Financing to Strengthen Social Programs in Buenos Aires Province
Job Ideas for Students during the Holiday Season
Lao PDR: Restore Economic Stability, Enhance Inclusion, and Build Resilience
As Impacts of COVID-19 Recede, Lao PDR Faces New Challenges
New Economic Corridor Project to Boost Regional Trade and Growth through Lao PDR
Lao PDR: Economic Recovery Challenged by Debt and Rising Prices
Plastic Waste Causing Serious Environmental, Health and Economic Impacts in Lao PDR
Are There Any Consequences to China’s Growing Unpopularity in Southeast Asia?
Published
on
By
The World Bank Board of Directors approved a US$ 50 million loan to support social safety net programs in Buenos Aires Province. These include the electricity social tariff and food assistance programs, which reach over 1.7 million people.
“The approval of this new program is crucial for strengthening support to contain vulnerable sectors in Buenos Aires Province. The cycle of recession, pandemic and war has greatly impacted the province and requires a variety of support measures,” said Sergio Massa, Argentina’s economy minister.
“Strengthening food security and access to electricity helps reduce the vulnerability of the poorest households. This new project is part of the World Bank’s comprehensive assistance to Argentina, which, with financing of US$ 2 billion, contributes to government efforts to reduce the impact of the crisis,” said Jordan Schwartz, World Bank Director for Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay.
The project will finance the Más Vida food program, created during the Covid-19 pandemic, which provides direct cash transfers through debit cards to vulnerable populations and those with pre-existing health conditions. Currently, this program reaches 114,000 people.
Additionally, this financing will mitigate the impact of the measure to reduce energy subsidies nationwide on 1.6 million vulnerable users and 189,000 households in informal settlements connected through community meters. The program will also support the province in improving the management of the electricity social tariff scheme.
The additional financing for the Social Safety Nets for Vulnerable Populations in the Province of Buenos Aires is a variable spread loan, with a maturity period of 17 years and a five-year grace period.
Published
on
By
Student budgets are always tight, which is one thing many have in common. Some children receive an allowance from their parents, while others choose to work during the holidays to make money.
Working during holidays includes better career prospects, better time management, and more spending money. Take advantage of the holidays by working part-time, casually, or as a temp rather than binge-watching shows! Additionally, you will gain skills that will serve you well in your future career and earn extra cash. For students short on cash or seeking valuable work class experience, we’ve compiled a list of 5 potential holiday jobs.
1. Boost your income and even get perks!
Earn extra holiday cash or save up for the new year!
Working on Christmas day could earn double your salary – many employers pay increased holiday rates. Plus, tips are plentiful during the season of giving! Earning is great now. Use employee discounts to get some sweet deals on holiday gifts or a hearty meal with friends. There are perks to working during the holidays!
2. Building employable skills is possible
It is essential to work faster during busy periods, to listen effectively, and to prioritize your tasks. We don’t mean to scare you, though! It’s common for people to work under pressure, and you’ll gain some valuable skills, which will serve you well for any job you pursue in the future.
Customer service roles are perfect for building skills and resilience during Christmas. As everyone arranges for the end of the year, you can increase your empathy by attending to many needs of customers or colleagues.
3. Hosts or servers at restaurants
Getting a job at a restaurant is an ideal holiday job if you want to earn money fast. Holidays and other busy times always require extra help from restaurants and takeaways. As guests enter, you will greet them and seat them. Help servers manage their workload and assist them if needed.
Most of your duty will be spent on your feet, but the tips will add greatly to your bank account. In addition to developing your communication and social skills, it’s a great way to make future connections.
4. Getting a job is easier
During the run-up to Christmas, retail and hospitality hire more people than any other year. You have more opportunities than ever before. Increasing orders also means more work for logistics and delivery!
Moreover, these jobs have less competition, as many people are taking a break from looking for a job now. Holiday jobs are great if you’re willing to take advantage of them!
You will likely find more opportunities during the holiday since it affects all commercial or related industries.
5. Delivery person
Increasing numbers of people now shop online, resulting in a greater need for delivery services. The holidays are a great time for students with driving licenses to take on delivery jobs.
Deliveries include mail, groceries, takeout, and other items you must pick up, transport, and deliver. It should be possible to earn money while enjoying your holiday because the hours are flexible.
Published
on
By
On average, women globally are paid about 20 per cent less than men, the International Labour (ILO) Organization said on Sunday, International Equal Pay Day.
While individual characteristics such as education, working time, occupational segregation, skills, or experience explain part of the gender pay gap, ILO says that a large part is due to discrimination based on one’s gender or sex.
Further building on the UN’s commitment against all forms of discrimination, including that against women and girls, Equal Pay Day represents longstanding efforts towards achieving the same wage for work of equal value.
Meanwhile, women have been among the worst affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, including in terms of income security, representation in sectors hardest hit, and gendered division of family responsibilities.
This, in turn, has led negatively impacted their employment and threatened to reverse decades of progress made towards gender equality.
As countries emerge from the pandemic, taking action to address gender equality setbacks is not only relevant and timely but also critical for an inclusive, sustainable, and resilient recovery.
Governments, employers, and workers organizations recognize that closing gender pay gaps is more important than ever.
Over the past few years, increasingly more governments are proposing transparency measures and information sharing to address gender wage gaps.
According to recent research, depending on how they are put into place, pay transparency measures can effectively identify compensation differences and reduce broader gender inequalities in the labour market.
“These are still early days for pay transparency,” said Manuela Tomei, Director of the ILO Conditions of Work and Equality Department, noting that countries are pursuing different approaches to advance it.
She pointed out that “there is no ‘one-size fits all’ solution”.
“While more time is needed to assess the effectiveness of the different measures and practices, it is encouraging that Governments, workers’ and employers’ organizations seek to devise innovative solutions, such as pay transparency, to tackle a stubborn problem”.
For the past few days, Myanmar is continuously violating Bangladesh’s air space and territorial sovereignty. It has now done so…
Right now, most Governments do things that are commonly said to be evil when perpetrated by an ‘enemy’ country but…
When Moscow waged war against Ukraine in February, few expected Russia to end up in a quagmire. The Russian military…
Worldwide employment in the renewable energy sector reached 12.7 million last year, a jump of 700,000 new jobs in just…
Since the Myanmar military launched its “disastrous” coup last year, UN-appointed independent human rights expert Tom Andrews said on Wednesday that…
Taking the rostrum at the annual United Nations General Assembly, Iran’s President decried as a great injustice the “double standard”…
BY DANIELA DE LORENZO The debate over whether fermentation was a more important human discovery than fire will continue forever….
Human Rights Across The World: Never More In Peril?
Whither Democracy?: Brazil Elections 2022
The SCO seeks for a new role in the post-Ukrainian crisis world
Forests for Climate: Scaling up Forest Conservation to Reach Net Zero
South Sudan: Extended roadmap for lasting peace deal, a ‘way point, not an end point’
‘Tsunami of hunger’ could trigger multiple famines
The Black Sea Grain Initiative: What it is, and why it’s important for the world
A New Strategic Shifts and A New Strategic Concept of NATO
Copyright © 2021 Modern Diplomacy