Project News

A training program to invite Lao counterpart officials to Japan was conducted from 22 October to 3 November. In the first year of the Project, two training courses were organized in parallel: one-week course "Role of Government for water supply sector" for high-ranking officials of Ministry of Public Works and Transport (MPWT) who are responsible of the water sector in the country and two-week course "Management of Water Supply Utility" for department and division managers of MPWT and managers of Water Supply State Enterprises.

Saitama City Waterworks Bureau, dispatching agency of the Chief Advisor Mr. Shimomura, was the accepting agency for the program. Saitama City Waterworks Bureau has supported Water Supply State Enterprises in Laos since 1992. Therefore, Lao officials involved in the water sector are familiar with the Waterworks Bureau.

On 24 October, Saitama City organized a Waterworks international seminar. Mr. Khamthavy Thaiphachanh, Director of Department of Housing and Urban Planning, and Mr. Khampheuy Vongsakhamphoui, General Manager of Vientiane Water Supply State Enterprise, gave presentations as representatives of the water sector in Laos. In an opinion exchange session of the day, Mr. Bounchanh Sinthavong, Vice Minister of MPWT, gave a speech on behalf of the Lao members. Saitama City separately invited 4 officials of Vientiane Capital including Mr. Anouphab TOUNALOM, Vice Mayor, while Japan Water Agency invited 2 officials of Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment. An article of the international seminar was posted on Suido Sangyo Shinbun newspaper (Japanese) on 29 October, 2012.

In the one-week course, several lectures were delivered by Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare and Japan Water Works Association, in addition to the international seminar. Mr. Bounchanh, Vice Minister of MPWT, expressed his hope to establish a Water Works Association in Laos.

In the two-week course, through lectures and site visits of many sections, the participants were impressed with systematic operations of the water supply business of Saitama City Waterworks Bureau. Most of the participants recognized the necessity of short-term, middle-term and long-term plans to effectively manage their water supply businesses.

Mr. Khamthavy, presenting at Saitama City Waterworks international seminar

Mr. Bounchanh, giving opening remarks at the opinion exchange session (photo by Saitama City Waterworks Bureau)

Site visit at Okubo Purification plant

Site visit at Water supply management office