Improved Thai-Lao border trade sought in Vientiane

Improved Thai-Lao border trade sought in Vientiane

Thailand and Laos aim to increase bilateral cooperation in three areas -- politics and security, the economy, and society and development -- at the 3rd Joint Cabinet Retreat (JCR) on Thursday in Vientiane, the Lao capital.

The two-day event will be attended by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, Deputy Prime Minister Chatchai Sarikulya, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Justice Prajin Juntong, as well as the foreign, finance, tourism and sports, transport, interior and labour ministers.

Gen Prayut will meet Laos President Bounnhang Vorachith to discuss a series of events planned for the 70th anniversary of the establishment of Thai-Lao diplomatic relations in 2020, Lt Gen Werachon Sukondhapatipak, deputy government spokesman, said on Wednesday.

The leaders will discuss plans to improve border transport and transform Laos from being a landlocked to land-linked country, he said.

The JCR meeting will focus on political stability through strengthened border demarcations and controls, he added. Discussions will also focus on economic development, with hopes pinned on an $11-billion deal being reached by 2021. That is double the current level of bilateral trade.

Lt Gen Werachon said they will also discuss plans to rehabilitate areas in Attapeu in southern Laos affected by floods, and formulate a strategic plan on Thai-Lao development (2019-2023).

The two sides will work to improve their cooperation in terms of security and agree to team up against illicit narcotics and "groups of people who threaten the security" of either country, the spokesman said.

Also tabled for discussion are ways to improve border transport rules to facilitate travel and promote border trade; energy cooperation; and the development of sub-regional transport connectivity in line with the Ayeyawady-Chao Phraya-Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy (Acmecs) Master Plan.

Acmecs is a political, economic, and cultural organisation comprising Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia and Myanmar. It is asked to bridge the economic gap among this bloc and promote prosperity in a sustainable way.

Ways of tackling illegal migrant workers from Lao will also be on the agenda.

Do you like the content of this article?
COMMENT