Laos and Cambodia have agreed to open new border crossings to link the two nations more closely and enhance trade and investment cooperation.
The plans were agreed to during Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith’s meeting with his Cambodian counterpart Hun Sen in Phnom Penh in June.
Delegates from the two countries visited the field sites from November 2 to 4 to see where the planned new bridge and border crossings will link Laos and Cambodia.
The Lao side was led by Foreign Affairs Minister, Mr Saleumxay Kommasith, while the Cambodian side was led by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Mr Long Visalo.
The two countries plan to build a 145-metre bridge across the Xe Lam Phao River in Mounlapamok district, Champassak province, to connect to northern Cambodia.
A 78-kilometre road linking Mounlapamok district to the Xe Lam Phao bridge is also planned, according to the agreement between the two countries’ prime ministers.
The joint action delegates of the two countries also visited a new border checkpoint in the area of Veunyang village, Mounlapamok district and the Veunkham border in Khong district, Champassak province. The committees also continued their survey to Xe Pien border (border-48) in Hadyai village, Sanamxay district, Attapeu province.
After completing the joint survey, the delegates shared their ideas before the details were handed over to the leaders of both countries to make a decision.
Both parties believe the new border crossings and bridge will boost tourism and economic development as well as make people-to-people exchanges easier, especially among those living in nearby areas.
Both nations are planning to open a border crossing linking the Nong Nok Khiene area in Khong district, Champassak province, and the Trapeang Kriel area in Cambodia’s Stung Treng province, which is scheduled to officially open this month.
Laos and Cambodia also agreed to promote investment and trade cooperation between their neighbouring provinces after the value of bilateral trade reached US$24.5 million last year.
In the field of education, it was agreed to increase the number of government-to-government bachelor degree exchange scholarships to 15 annually.
In addition, the two countries will continue to cooperate in border security and prevent the illegal trade in timber and drugs in border areas. They also agreed to speed up border demarcation.
Source: Vientiane Times
