Works to begin on southern border crossing
Works to begin on southern border crossing
The government will spend 98 billion kip over the next three years improving services and standards at the Thai-Lao Vangtao-Chong Mek border checkpoint in Champassak province.
Funding for the project will come from government revenue earned from the checkpoint, provincial Public Works and Transport Department Director, Dr Soukkaseum Pakdymanivong, told the Vientiane Times yesterday.
Initial works will include removing road obstructions and improving the road surface, before construction begins on a new border gate for vehicles and other travellers, parking lots, public toilets, a staff dormitory building and a new water supply system.
The international border checkpoint was established almost 20 years ago, linking Champassak province in Laos to Ubon Ratchathani province in Thailand, Dr Soukkaseum said.
He said with recent increases in the amount of goods transported between the two countries through the checkpoint, improvements to facilities were necessary.
Dr Soukkaseum said the Thai side of the crossing had already been upgraded many months ago, and was now easier to travel through.
The project will help Laos realise its aim of integrating with the Asean Economic Community by 2015.
New facilities at the border checkpoint will also assist in the management of import and export goods.
Phongsubthavy Construction Company will carry out the works, expected to take three years, after a feasibility study was undertaken last year.
Champassak province is home to two international border checkpoints; one to Thailand, and the other to Strung Treng province in Cambodia.
Both checkpoints help to promote international communication, transport, trade, investment and tourism. Coffee is the main agricultural export from Champassak, with the crop earning substantial revenue to be put towards provincial economic development.
Products entering Laos through the province include construction equipment, electronics and home wares.
Customs authorities will also focus on staff skills development by holding training sessions in Laos and internationally as part of the move towards making border crossings easier and more efficient.
vientiane times
