Japan pledges US$6.1mil for road repairs in Laos

VIENTIANE (Vientiane Times/Asia News Network): The government of Japan will provide equipment and machinery worth 800 million yen (about US$6.1 million) for repairing roads in Laos.

An agreement for this project was signed in Vientiane on Thursday (Dec 22), according to the Lao Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The agreement was signed by the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Phoxay Khaykhamphithoune, and Japan’s State Minister for Foreign Affairs, Takei Shunsuke, and the event was attended by officials from both sides.

The assistance for the project reflects the Japanese Government’s continued commitment to support the 9th five-year plan for national socio-economic development and Laos’ strategy to transform itself from a land-locked to a land-linked country.

On behalf of the Lao government, Phoxay expressed his appreciation for Japan’s cooperation and assistance over the past years, particularly the support for Laos’ battle against Covid 19 and unexploded ordnance (UXO).

Takei Shunsuke said Japan is committed to further support socio-economic development in Laos, which should contribute to improving the livelihood of the people.

During the bilateral talks, the two sides reviewed the implementation of action plans and cooperation projects following a meeting between the top leaders of the two countries in Japan in April.

Projects raised for discussion included those related to politics, economic, trade, investment, infrastructure, human resource development, health, agriculture and forestry, labour and finance.

Both sides agreed to push for regular reciprocal visits of high-level delegations of the two countries and to further strengthen cooperation in trade, investment, renewable energy and tourism.

In addition, the two sides agreed to work together to organise activities to mark the 50th anniversary of Asean-Japan Friendship and Cooperation in 2023, and to celebrate the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Laos and Japan in 2025. This will include the improvement of Chao Anouvong stadium in Vientiane and support for Lao participation in the Osaka Expo 2025.

Japan is also committed to supporting Laos’ preparations to be the Asean chair in 2024.

Both sides agreed to support each other in the regional and international arenas, especially within the Asean-Japan and Mekong-Japan cooperation frameworks.

Laos regards Japan as a key partner based on the long history of friendship and strategic cooperation between the two countries. The relationship between Laos and Japan has strengthened markedly since the two countries elevated their ties to a strategic partnership in 2015.