Ubon Ratchathani: Thailand and Laos are working together to upgrade a temporary border trade checkpoint to a permanent one to boost cross-border trade between the two countries.
Mongkol Julathas, president of the Ubon Ratchathani Chamber of Commerce and Pornsak Saengcharoen, an official attached to the provincial commercial office, met Poonsuk Rat-hao, secretary-general of the governor of Laos' Salavan province, recently for talks on upgrading the checkpoint connecting Ban Pak Saeng in Na Tan district of Ubon Ratchathani and Ban Pak Saphan in La Khone Pheng district of Salavan.
The checkpoint needs an upgrade as some kinds of goods are still not allowed to be sold or transported there.
Both sides agreed the upgrade would lead to the full opening of cross-border trade, sources said, adding the upgrade is expected to take place in the next few months.
When the construction of the 6th Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge across the Mekong River from Na Tan district to La Khone Pheng district on the Laos side of the border is completed, this will also help boost cross-border trade, the sources said.
Mr Mongkol said that before Covid-19, the value of Thai-Lao cross-border trade at the checkpoint was estimated at more than 2.8 billion baht a year.
During the pandemic, trade was halted, he said, adding he believed the recent talks with Lao authorities would bring it back to life.
Salavan province is also known for producing more cassava than any part of southern Laos, Mr Mongkol added.
When completed, he said, the 6th Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge would also help shorten the trade route from Thailand to Vietnam's Danang city via Laos to only 137 kilometres.
A feasibility study on the bridge project and its design have been completed as the two countries are negotiating their share of construction costs before the Transport Ministry seeks cabinet approval for the project, according to the sources.
Afterwards, a budget allocation will be sought. Construction is expected to begin next year and will be completed in 2028, they said.
Meanwhile, work on the fifth Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge in Bueng Kan is almost done, and the bridge is expected to open to the public this year, according to the Transport Ministry.
Its opening is expected to ease the movement of goods, people and services and increase the value of trade between Thailand, Laos and Vietnam.