AustCham Monthly Newsletter

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NEWSLETTER
Welcome to AustCham Lao's December Newsletter, the final newsletter for the year. This has been a challenging year, but this last month has seen a whirlwind of activity for the chamber. We have held our AGM, appointed a new Board of Directors, appointed a new Executive Director, welcomed some new members, as well as continued or Mate to Mate Interviews and Trends and Opportunities in Lao Series. 

As the year draws to a close and we look back on the past 12 months, we want to take a moment to thank our outgoing President, Carli Renzi, and our outgoing Executive Director, Alessia Monarca. The work done by these outstanding women has given vital support to the Chamber during this particularly difficult year. Their energy and enthusiasm, combined with their innovations to create great online events, have been critical in the Chamber’s ongoing success. We wish them all the best in their future endeavors. 
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David Ormsby, AustCham Lao’s newly appointed Executive Director

The Board of Directors is pleased to announce its unanimous endorsement of David Ormsby as the Executive Director of AustCham Lao, effective December 6th, 2021.

David Ormsby is a tourism and communications expert, with a strong focus on risk management in adventure and eco-tourism. In his career in Laos David has worked as the Head of Risk Management for Green Discovery and the Head of Content Creation for Discover Laos Today. In his time in Laos David has forged strong connections across a range of industries and sectors. He also has an extensive history in outdoor education, having led expeditions across Australia and the Asia-Pacific Region.

David is a proud Australian with strong connections to the Australian bush and is passionate about the outdoors, especially canoeing. He has lived in Laos with his Australian partner Tamalee Roberts for almost five years. Together they have travelled extensively throughout Laos visiting almost every province, amassing a large collection of weavings and handicrafts.

David is looking forward to taking on this new role and welcomes all members to reach out to him with any questions or suggestions.
David can be reached at executivedirector@austchamlao.org or at +856 20 5592 4012 to answer any questions you may have.

Please join us in welcoming David to this position.
 
AUSTCHAM PAST EVENTS
 
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
On Thursday 9th December 2021 AustCham Lao hosted the Annual General Meeting.

Austcham Lao would like to thank all the members who attended our AGM yesterday and a very special thanks to our event sponsors Michelin and Muanson.

It was a very efficient AGM thanks to the excellent moderation of board member Alistair Brown. The outgoing president, Carli Renzi, presented the President’s Report and the Treasurer, Marion Rimaniol, presented the Treasurer’s Report and Financial Statement. The outgoing board members were thanked and new board members were confirmed. The proposed amendment to the AustCham Lao Constitution was passed unanimously.

During the AGM the Board of Directors was also appointed for the year 2022. The Board will be composed of:
  • Scott Morgan, Linfox
  • Marion Rimaniol, Phu Bia Mining
  • Alistair Brown, Civitas Consulting
  • Steve Gimpel, Phu Bia Mining
  • Patria Puyat, Crowne Plaza (new)
  • Dean Robertson, APA Insurance (new)
  • Luke McWhirter, Burapha Agroforestry
  • Nanthala Salichanh (Bee), ANZ (new)
  • Robin Hamilton Coates, LXML (new)

The Board of Directors would like to thank you the outgoing directors:
  • Carli Renzi, ANZ
  • Xouimaitri Panyanouvong, Dominion Lao
  • Troy Noskoff, BFL
  • Troy Medinsky, Crowne Plaza
  • Caroline McKeown, Milsearch

Please click "read more" to see the full minutes of the meeting.
Read More
 
AMMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION

At the recent AGM a proposal to amend the AustCham Lao Constitution was passed unanimously. The amendment will simplify the process of electing new board members and the governance of AustCham.

Please click "read more" to see the updated Constitution
Read More
 
YEAR IN REVIEW 2021
YEAR IN REVIEW 2021
The AustCham Lao Year in Review has been released. Please click "read more" to read it in full.
Read More
 
TRENDS AND OPPORTUNITES IN LAOS SERIES: RENEWABLE ENERGIES SECTOR ROADMAP
TRENDS AND OPPORTUNITES IN LAOS SERIES: RENEWABLE ENERGIES SECTOR ROADMAP
On Thursday, November 11 AustCham Lao hosted the eventTrends and Opportunities in Laos Series: Renewable Energies Sector Roadmap.

At the event, experts from the public and private sector discussed the future of renewable energies in Laos, which progress made in recent years, which challenges the industry is facing and why it is an interesting destination for foreign investment. MS Phoutthavanh, from the Renewable Energies Institute, gave a really interesting presentation on the Renewable Energy Policy development in Lao PDR while Prof Thang Do presented the successful Vietnamese model and the policy implications for other Asean countries. Matthieu Bommier, Director Solar Project NT2, explained about the new Nam Theun 2 Solar project that will be the biggest hybrid floating solar project in the world with 1,070MW capacity. We also discussed with Phd Prakash Ghimire, from SNV, which Biomass technologies are available in Laos and how they can be utilised for cooking in Lao households. Alan McKeown, country head Laos Milsearch, explained how UXO clearance ties in with Renewable Energies projects and introduced their collaboration with the Asia Australia Power Link, a project that will bring electricity from Australia to Singapore through a sun-cable that will cover more than 4,000KM.

A special thanks to the moderator of the event Xoumaitri Panyanouvong, manager and government liaison of Dominion (Lao) and AustCham Lao Board Director.

Click on "read more" to watch the video
Read More
 
PAST MATE TO MATE INTERVIEWS
Watch last month's episodes of MATE to MATE, AustCham's topical interview series on our members' Covid-19 emergency response.
 
Mate to Mate 'A Diverse Workplace' with Jesse Twomey, Second Secretary, and Consul, Australian Embassy.

Click on "read more" to play the interview!
Read More
 
Mate to Mate 'A Diverse Workplace' our new Executive Director, David Ormsby, talks with Gregoire Gaud, Michelin Branch Office Manager for Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar. They discuss Michelin’s activities in the region as well as their unique approach to sustainability and community engagement.

Click on "read more" to play the interview!
Read More
 
MEMBERS UPDATE
 
WELCOME TO OUR NEW GOLD SPONSOR BSP LEASING LAO CO.,LTD
WELCOME TO OUR NEW GOLD SPONSOR BSP LEASING LAO CO.,LTD
BSP Finance Lao, a joint venture between BSP Finance and RMA Group. BSP Finance Lao is a specialist Asset Finance company providing excellence in customer service, innovative and fast financial solutions for their customers’ immediate benefit. Leasing with BSP Finance Lao allows individuals and business to preserve their cash reserves, manage cash flow effectively and adapt to changing economic conditions, and upgrade assets frequently ensuring their customers have access to the latest vehicles or equipment without having to make further capital outlays.

Their Products:

Consumer Vehicle Loan
  • Current employed customers in need of purchasing a motor vehicle for private use and domestic purposes. To apply for this loan product, customer will need to apply directly through our panel of approved motor dealers.
  • BSP Finance offers competitive rates to approved applicants. Terms and Conditions apply.
Commercial Loan
  • Borrowing for asset purchases, enables business clients to finance various movable business assets or capital requirements that will generate income for their business whilst managing your cash flows.
Benefits
  • Competitive Interest rates and Flexible Terms offered.
  • Improves company cash flow.
  • Transparency in pricing.
  • Speed of approval turnaround and documentation.
  • Enables financing of income-producing assets to improve business profitability.
  • Buyback at the end of the lease term if requested by customer.
 
WELCOME TO OUR NEW SME MEMBER LTS VENTURES
WELCOME TO OUR NEW SME MEMBER LTS VENTURES
LTS Ventures is a Lao FinTech and Investment company. They are developing businesses and creating software for the financial sector.

Click on "read more" to contact them, if you like to discuss a project or "trial-use" the "Lan Xang" Microfinance platform.
Read More
 
ANZ LAOS HOSTED THE LAO PDR ECONOMIC OUTLOOK 2022
ANZ LAOS HOSTED THE LAO PDR ECONOMIC OUTLOOK 2022
24 November 2021: AustCham Gold Sponsor ANZ Laos hosted Simon Ireland, the new Managing Director of ANZ’s International franchise, and Khoon Goh, ANZ’s Head of Asia Research to launch ANZ’s recent economic update: Lao PDR Economic Outlook: Will 2022 Finally See a Meaningful Recovery?
Khoon shared signs of the gradual recovery:
· ANZ Research expects the Lao Economy to recover gradually through 2022, with GDP expanding to 5% in 2022, up from 3% 2021.
· Inflation is set to rise as elevated global commodity prices, compounded by further depreciation in the kip, feed through domestic prices. ANZ Research forecast inflation to average 5.5% in 2022, up from 4.5% in 2021.
· A key focus is on fiscal containment over the medium term, as the country’s high fiscal deficit and debt burden poses a key risk to macroeconomic stability. Although fiscal management is currently focused on expenditure control, revenue expansion is crucial as spending cuts can impact long-term growth potential.

It’s been twenty months since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, yet it remains a dominant influence on the economic landscape. But the world is adapting and ‘learning to live with COVID-19’, with the journey towards normalization underwaysays Khoon Goh, Head of Asia Research ANZ.
 
PSVB NONGNIEW SERVICE UNIT OFFICIALLY LAUNCHED ITS OPERATION IN VIENTIANE PROVINCE
PSVB NONGNIEW SERVICE UNIT OFFICIALLY LAUNCHED ITS OPERATION IN VIENTIANE PROVINCE
On 11th November 2021, the Nongniew Service Unit of Phongsavanh Bank held a soft opening ceremony to officially launch its operation in Vientiane Province.
Phongsavanh Bank (PSVB) was the first and is the leading private bank in Lao PDR. We provide a comprehensive range of financial services to over 350,000 retail, SME, corporate and institutional customers through 45 branches and an extensive ATM network.
Established in 2007, PSVB aspires to be the Bank of First Choice, supporting our customers, fostering financial inclusion and contributing to the development of a robust, trusted and internationally aligned financial services sector in Lao PDR.
 
PHONGSAVANH INSURANCE (APA) UPGRADED PRODUCTS AND COVERAGES TO MEET CUSTOMERS NEEDS
PHONGSAVANH INSURANCE (APA) UPGRADED PRODUCTS AND COVERAGES TO MEET CUSTOMERS NEEDS
Phongsavanh Insurance (APA) has upgraded products and coverages to meet customer needs

1. “Family Health insurance” of Phongsavanh Insurance (APA) has been upgraded to Family 6 with a maximum coverage of more than LAK 219,000,000.
Customers and their families can enjoy a cashless treatment with leading hospitals in both Laos and Thailand.
The Family Health Insurance plan:
  • Covers Hospital Service cost
  • Covers Room and Board
  • Covers Surgery
  • Support with free daily allowance during hospitalization up to LAK 350,000/day
  • And other benefits

2. Phongsavanh Insurance (APA) also updated the very first Critical Illness Insurance in Laos to make it even better by including Personal Accident and Daily Cash Allowance benefit during hospitalization at a lower price. The product is called "Critical illness Plus" which is designed to provide coverage for all serious illnesses and personal accidents that can happen anytime.

•With a maximum coverage up to LAK 1,000,000,000
•Premium starting only LAK 210,000 / year
•It also provides daily allowance during hospitalization in all cases of illness up to LAK 500,000 /day.

For more information, please contact us via 1677
Email: info@apa.com.la
Facebook page: Phongsavanh Insurance
Website: www.apa.com.la
 
AUSTCHAM ANNUAL SPONSORS
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