A man uses the Facebook app on his mobile phone while taking a lunch break. (Photo: AFP)
Vientiane (VNA) – Lao PrimeMinister Sonexay Siphandone has called for intensive action to develop threedigital pillars – a digital economy, government and community - to give a bigboost to the country’s socio-economic development, local media reported on May29.
Addressing the ‘Ministerial Level Conference on Blockchain 4.0 Development forDigital Economy Development in Laos’ in Vientiane on May 26, the PM said thatLaos must be resolutely determined to promote and broaden the use of digitaltechnologies effectively.
The technologies including blockchain,artificial intelligence (AI), high speed Internet, Internet of Things (IoT),big data, cloud computing, E-wallet, E-transactions, E-payments, and virtualand augmented reality will bring about new opportunities and services to driverapid changes and spur fast progress in socio-economic development andgovernance.
He said the use of digital technologies is aglobal trend, and countries around the world are developing and using them tocreate smart cities, smart governments, smart economies, smart communities, andsmart living.
To pursue the common goal, the Lao government isimplementing the National Digital Economic Development Vision for 2021-2040,the National Digital Economic Development Strategy for 2021-2030, and theNational Digital Economic Development Plan for 2021-2025.
PM Sonexay stressed the need to develop humanresources and infrastructure, along with enacting the necessary legislation tosupport these plans and digital transformation in Laos.
Lao Minister of Technology andCommunications Boviengkham Vongdara said that the ministry and MetaBankSingapore signed a contract to develop Lao National Blockchain Infrastructureto support digitalisation.
MetaBank Singapore’sFounder and Chairman Frank Sui said the country's digital economy, throughout its2023-2025 piloting programme, is forecast to generate more than 7billion USD in revenue, including over 1 billion USD generated this year, more than 2billion USD next year, and more than 4 billion USD in 2025./.
