Vientiane: Vice President Pany Yathortou on October 6 received a farewell visit from Ambassador Sudesh Maniar of Singapore at the Presidential Palace in Vientiane on the occasion of the successful completion of his diplomatic mission in the Lao PDR. Vice President Pany congratulated Ambassador Maniar on the successful completion of his tenure, noting that his efforts had contributed significantly to strengthening the long-standing friendship and cooperation between Laos and Singapore.

According to Lao News Agency, Vice President Pany emphasized that the Lao Government and people highly value the Ambassador’s contributions, particularly his active role in promoting bilateral collaboration in politics, trade and investment, culture, education, human resource development, tourism, national defense, and public security.

During Ambassador Maniar’s tenure, Singapore extended notable support to Laos. This included support for ASEAN Chairmanship 2024, wherein Singapore provided interpretation equipment worth approximately USD 550,000 for the 57th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in July 2024 and the 44th and 45th ASEAN Summits in October 2024, aiding Laos in fulfilling its role as ASEAN Chair.

Additionally, following severe flooding caused by Typhoon Yagi in September 2024, the Singaporean Government donated relief supplies to Laos. This included 180 blankets, 600 boxes of ready-to-eat meals, and 480 packs of mineral water, with a total value of USD 7,877, to assist affected provinces.

Ambassador Maniar expressed his sincere gratitude to Vice President Pany for the warm reception and strong support extended to him throughout his term, contributing to the success of his mission. Vice President Pany extended her best wishes to Ambassador Maniar for continued good health, happiness, and success in his future endeavors, wishing him a safe journey home.

On the same day, Head of the Presidential Office Khemmany Pholsena also received a farewell courtesy call from the Singaporean Ambassador.