China injects 29b kip for Mekong-Lancang projects

The Chinese government has granted more than 29 billion kip (US$3.4 million) to finance 13 projects under the special Mekong-Lancang Cooperation fund.

An agreement was signed yesterday in Vientiane between Chinese Ambassador to Laos, Mr Wang Wentian, and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ms Khampao Ernthavanh.

The agreement aims to implement 13 projects across five ministries including coping with oil leakages in port areas, a project run by the Ministry of Public Works and Transport, and strengthening domestic competition in industrial processing under the Ministry of Industry and Commerce. 

Other initiatives include a national water quality inspection project run by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, a Mekong-Lancang Cooperation project for sustainable development under the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications, and civilian and statistical training under the Ministry of Home Affairs.

The agreement signing was held ahead of the second Mekong-Lancang Cooperation leaders meeting, which will take place in Cambodia from January 10-11.

Laos is strengthening cooperation with China and the other Mekong countries by supporting the five-year strategic plan from 2018-2023.

The three Langcang-Mekong Cooperation meetings held to date have been very beneficial in terms of yielding benefits for China and the Mekong countries, especially early harvest projects.

Laos has approved 10 projects with assistance from China which are now in progress.