Constitutional amendments to boost economic growth
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Laos is amending the 2003 Constitution with the main aim to enhance socio-economic development in the next decade and promote economic integration with the world.
The Lao National Chamber of Commerce and Industry hosted a consultancy meeting on the amendment on Tuesday. Directors, deputy directors and managing directors of public and private enterprises were invited to share their ideas on the amendment.
Presiding over the meeting, Minister Sonexay Siphandone, head of the Government Office and chairman of the National Committee for Amendment of the 2003 Constitution, said the planned amendment would facilitate more rapid development of the Lao economy over the next decade in accordance with the plan.
The Constitution was first drawn up in 1991 and amended in 2003.
“For more than two decades our country has been governed by the Constitution, enabling the steady growth of the economy alongside other sectors,” he said.
Sonexay said Laos was moving towards integration with the region and the world in this era of globalisation, and the stronger supremacy of the government was closely related to the constitutional system.
Committee member Prof Davone Vangvichith said the content of the amendments should match the needs of the current era of economic development.
“More constructive comments on the amendment of the Constitution are needed from all participants to ensure the amendment is comprehensive before we submit it for approval to the National Assembly next year,” he said.
Davone said changes to various laws and regulations will enable the government and local authorities to manage business operations as effectively as possible.
“Legislative changes influence the government's development vision until 2030 and the socio-economic development plans for 2016-25, so it has become necessary to amend the Constitution,” Prof. Davone said.
Davone, who is also chairman of the Law Commission for the National Assembly, added that amendments to the Constitution will involve the addition of new articles.
“One of the expected outcomes of amendments to the Constitution is that it will enable the government to implement socio-economic development from 2016-25 more effectively,” he said, adding that the management of social affairs would also be enhanced.
