Southeast Asia Information Port News (www.dnyxxg.com) – On December 15, 2025, a power handover ceremony was held in Xayaburi Province, where outgoing Governor Phongsun Sithavong (former member of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party Central Committee and Provincial Party Secretary) and newly appointed Chairman of the Xayaburi Provincial Administrative Committee, Duangtha Sayvong, completed the handover of duties.
Ms. Sisay Rothmonsong, member of the Political Bureau of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party Central Committee, Provincial Party Secretary, and Director of the Provincial Organization Committee; Mr. Phenylan Khamphanphong, Provincial Party Secretary and Chairman of the Provincial People's Council; as well as members of the Provincial Party Committee Standing Committee, Provincial Party Representatives, members of the Provincial People's Council Standing Committee, and heads, deputy heads, and key staff of various provincial departments and agencies attended the ceremony to witness this important moment.
At the ceremony, Phongsun Sithavong reviewed his work during his tenure, focusing on the achievements of the sixth and seventh five-year socio-economic development plans. He stated that during this period, the province's annual plans were all completed as expected, the economy achieved year-on-year growth, all macroeconomic targets were achieved, and many indicators, including fiscal revenue, export volume, rice production, and the production of major agricultural crops such as rubber and coffee, were exceeded. Regarding industrial development, Phongsun Sitthavong explained that the province has initially established a number of industrial bases, including rice mills, corn drying plants, mango factories, soybean cold storage facilities, cassava flour factories, rubber factories, food processing plants (bread, confectionery, noodles), modern slaughterhouses, various power enterprises, handicraft factories, and textile factories, all showing a steady growth trend. Significant progress has also been made in infrastructure. National highways and cross-border roads connecting Thailand, Vietnam, and China, as well as major transportation arteries connecting the northern provinces, the World Heritage city of Luang Prabang, and the capital city of Vientiane, and provincial highways and rural branch roads leading to districts have all been upgraded to double-layer asphalt pavement, greatly improving the convenience of commuting, passenger transport, and freight transport.
Furthermore, Phongsun Sitthavong mentioned that the government has strictly followed Decree No. 348/LP to comprehensively promote rural development and poverty alleviation. Through annual assessments, the government has precisely addressed the development challenges of impoverished families, villages, and counties, and the relevant goals have been largely achieved. According to legal assessment data, as of 2023, 21,902 households (27.26%) in the province still performed well; the Khovd district has been approved as a poverty-free area, and a village in the heart of the capital, Mangwa, has been developed to meet the standards of a large village, becoming a model town in rural areas.
Subsequently, Phongsun Sitavong and Duangtha Saiwu formally signed a memorandum of understanding, completing the transfer of power. The ceremony also reviewed and approved the appointment of the chairpersons of the Xayaburi Provincial Administrative Committee, appointing Ame Sonyeleng and Buchakone Intaransi as vice-chairpersons.
Finally, Ms. Sisai Rudmunsong delivered a speech. She emphasized that Party committees and administrative committees at all levels must strictly implement the principle of democratic centralism, strengthen unity and leadership, clarify the division of responsibilities, establish and improve coordination mechanisms, and fully coordinate and promote the protection and development of Xayaburi Province to ensure that all undertakings continue to achieve new results.
