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Pinoy Abroad

PHL assists Laos on migration, women's issues


The Philippines offered technical assistance to Laos on at least three issues: labor migration, women entrepreneurship, and promotion of small and medium businesses.   According to a news release of the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Philippine ambassador Maria Lumen Isleta relayed the offer to Laos President Choummaly Sayasone last January at the Le palais de Ho Kham (Lao Presidential Palace).   "Philippine offers of technical assistance in the labor migration sector to include capacity building and sharing of best practices, as well as on women issues, particularly women entrepreneurship and the promotion of small and medium businesses were also conveyed by Ambassador Isleta to the President," the Department of Foreign Affairs said.   After presenting her credentials, Isleta had bilateral discussions with Sayasone.   Sayasone briefed her on Laos' development plans particularly on poverty alleviation, meeting its Millennium Development Goals in 2015 and its own set target to graduate from least developed country status by 2020.   Isleta also conveyed to Sayasone the Philippine government's desire to enhance Philippine-Lao bilateral relations, which have spanned at least 56 years.   During the meeting, Isleta also expressed the Philippine government's keen desire to receive a high-level Lao delegation as well as hold the inaugural meeting of the Philippine-Lao Joint Commission for Bilateral Cooperation (JCBC) this year.   She also noted the heightened interest of the private sectors from both sides to do business, adding the impending establishment of Business Councils in both capitals, to be led by prominent businessmen from each country, will facilitate greater engagements in the area of trade and investments.   Meanwhile, Isleta thanked the Lao government for its kind donation to the victims of tropical storm "Sendong" (Washi).   She also conveyed President Benigno Aquino III's best wishes for Sayasone's continued good health and success and wishes for the prosperity of Laos and its people.   With Isleta at the ceremony were Third Secretary and Vice Consul Annalyn Ratonel, Philippine Embassy Consular/Cultural Assistant Jennifer Gapuz, and Finance/Economic Officer Napoleon Estimada. - VVP, GMA News  

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