VIENTIANE, Oct. 27 (Xinhua) -- The Lao National Assembly's (NA) eighth legislature opened its three-week 10th ordinary session on Tuesday with focus on the economic recovery in the Lao capital Vientiane.
Delivering the opening remarks, NA President Pany Yathotou said the session would consider and approve reports on the implementation of this year's socio-economic development plan, budget and currency plans, and plans for 2021.
Lao President Bounnhang Vorachit, Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith and other cabinet members were among those present at the opening session.
The NA members are expected to focus their debates on measures to revive the economy next year amid the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic, financial difficulties, and impact from natural disasters, local online newspaper Vientiane Times reported on Tuesday.
The year 2021 will see the start of Laos' ninth five-year national socio-economic development plan (2021-2025). The biannual session of the NA will discuss a draft of the ninth five-year plan before submitting a final draft for further debate and approval by the NA's next legislature.
A general election of members of the ninth legislature is expected to take place early next year.
The session, the last of the NA's eighth legislature, will also consider and approve urban planning for Vientiane, reports made by the State Audit Organization on the results of the audit of the state budget for 2020, audit plan for 2021, and an audit summary report for 2019.
The NA's eighth legislature will report on the implementation of its five-year plan for 2016-2020, the plan for 2020, and the plan for next year.
Lawmakers are scheduled to debate and approve five laws, comprising four newly-drafted laws and the drafted amendments of a law. The laws concern diplomatic rankings, youth, international cooperation in the fields of crime and higher education, and amendments on state auditing law.
The Lao parliamentary members will also share views on a draft of the parliament's next five-year plan.
NA President Pany called for all state organizations to give their full cooperation and provide all the necessary information and explanations in response to questions raised during the session, which will end on Nov. 17. Enditem
