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Lao Coffee Association undertakes major reform
The Lao Coffee Association has reformed its top management, aiming to increase the representation of coffee exporters and manufacturers around the country.
The association adopted a new resolution to increase its committee members from five to nine at its 6th Congress held on August 22 in Pakxe district, Champassak province. The move aims to accommodate growing operations to protect the interests of coffee traders nationwide.
The expansion of top management membership will enable the association to act as a coordinator between the government and coffee traders, not only in the three southern provinces of Champassak, Xekong and Saravan but also in provinces throughout the country.
The reform of the non-profit organisation was made in accordance with policies of the Party and government, a prime ministerial decree on association establishment and an agreement from the Minister of Home Affairs on the establishment of the Lao Coffee Association.
According to the association, the congress also re-elected Mr Sinouk Sisombat as President and Mr Sengchanh Khammontha and Ms Bounheuang Lithdang as vice presidents.
Speaking at the congress, Mr Sinouk said that the association's new management will continue to do its best to make Lao coffee a major brand name in the world market, adding that the high quality and unique taste gives it great potential.
He also said that the association will continue to push sustainable development of coffee plantations and the coffee processing industry.
One of the major plans the association will realise is to develop coffee plantations as areas of interest for the eco-tourism industry, allowing local and international visitors to study coffee growing and processing practices so that they can gain new knowledge while enjoying good coffee, he said.
Mr Sinouk said that the association will push Laos' candidacy for membership in the International Coffee Organisation, which will enable Lao coffee growers and traders to access new world markets. Currently, the major markets for coffee exports are Europe, Asia and the USA.
Lao coffee exporters are eyeing the Chinese and South Korean markets after learning that the demand for organic coffee in these countries is increasing. One of the major challenges will be how to market the Lao product in the highly competitive marketplaces.
vientiane times
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