Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone along with other high-ranking delegates arrived on Monday in Jakarta, Indonesia, to attend the 43rd ASEAN Summit and related meetings that are being held under the theme “ASEAN Matters: Epicentrum of Growth” from 4-7 September.
Upon arrival in Jakarta, PM Sonexay and his delegates attended the ASEAN Business & Investment Summit 2023, which was organized by the ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ASEAN-BAC).
The summit brought together key stakeholders from ASEAN and its dialogue partners to discuss ways to boost trade and investment in the region, with over 2,000 delegates from 50 countries attending the event.
In his speech, PM Sonexay highlighted opportunities and challenges faced by ASEAN in areas of economic integration, climate change, and sustainable development. He also called on ASEAN to work together for a business-friendly environment and centrality in regional and global economies.
PM Sonexay also witnessed the handover of the chairmanship of the ASEAN Business & Investment Summit (ABIS) from Indonesia to Laos. The new chairman is Mr. Oudet Souvannavong, the president of the Lao National Chamber of Commerce and Industry, as Laos will host the next ABIS meeting in 2024.
Prime Minister, Sonexay Siphandone, held bilateral meetings with the Prime Ministers of Australia and Timor-Leste, along with the Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) during the 43rd ASEAN Summit in Jakarta, Indonesia on Wednesday.
During the meeting with Antony Albanese, Australia’s Prime Minister, both leaders acknowledged the long-standing bilateral relationship and collaboration between the two nations, spanning 71 years.
According to the Lao National Radio, both leaders also expressed eagerness to continue developing the Lao-Australian Comprehensive Partnership in the near future.
Additionally, both leaders conveyed appreciation for joint efforts by the two nations within the ASEAN-Australia cooperation framework, particularly during Laos’ role as the ASEAN-Australia coordinating country from 2021-2024.
Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone then met with Timor-Leste’s Prime Minister, Kay Rala Xanana Gusmao, reaffirming Laos’ support for Timor-Leste’s ASEAN membership.
Currently, Timor-Leste is only a part of the bloc in principle, however, a road map for the nation’s full membership has been agreed upon after its first submission to become a member over a decade ago.
Both leaders expressed high regard for the strong friendship and cooperation between Laos and Timor-Leste over the past two decades as well.
On the same day, Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone also met with Mrs. Kristalina Georgieva, Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Their discussions focused on past cooperation between Laos and the IMF, as well as plans for future collaboration.
The IMF’s support for economic and financial development since 1961 has significantly contributed to the socio-economic progress of Laos, and it is hoped that this support will continue, especially as Laos prepares for its ASEAN chairmanship in 2024.
Laos’ Prime Minister also witnessed the handover of the chairmanship of the ASEAN Business & Investment Summit (ABIS) from Indonesia to Laos, during his official visit to Jakarta this week.
https://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Sonexay.jpg6271200Soutsada Xaphouvonghttps://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Lao-Simply-Beautiful-.webpSoutsada Xaphouvong2023-09-13 08:30:002023-09-10 16:41:14Lao PM Holds Bilateral Talks With Australia, Timor-Leste and IMF at ASEAN Summit
The planned Laos-Vietnam Railway, running from Thakhek district in Khammouane province to the Lao-Vietnamese border, is expected to be completed and open for service in 2028.
The Petroleum Trading Lao Public Company (PTL), in cooperation with Yooshin Engineering Corporation and Korea National Railway, will conduct a detailed design study of the railway before construction begins.
A cooperation agreement on the project was signed in Vientiane last week by the President of Petroleum Trading Lao Public (PTL) Company, Mr. Chanthone Sitthixay, the President of Yooshin Engineering Corporation, Mr. Chon Kyung-soon, and the Executive Director of Korea National Railway, Mr. Park Jin-Hyun.
The signing ceremony was attended by the President of the Executive Board of Strategy and Planning at PTL Holding Company Limited, Mr. Alounkeo Kittikhoun, senior government officials from the ministries of Planning and Investment, Natural Resources and Environment, and Public Works and Transport, as well as other relevant government bodies and company representatives.
The Laos-Vietnam Railway will be built over a distance of 250 kilometers and will cost USD 2 billion to construct, Mr. Chanthone said.
“Our company has been granted the right to be the developer. We have made every effort to fulfill our obligations under the project and have already achieved key milestones such as the completion and approval of the economic and technical feasibility study and the environmental impact study.”
“The signing of the concession agreement and the detailed design study will pave the way for the construction phase in the future,” he added.
“Yooshin Engineering Corporation and Korea National Railway of the Republic of Korea have proven their high level of competency and great experience internationally about their outstanding expertise in engineering, design, construction, technology, and the management of railway projects globally and with great efficiency for over 60 years.”
“For this reason, I would like to express my deep appreciation of this step forward in cooperation through the detailed design study at this time and the further dedication of our company to this project.”
“I have full confidence that under the guidance and support of the Party and Lao government, the Laos-Vietnam Railway will be built as planned and that targets will be achieved,” Mr. Chanthone said.
When built and put into service, the Laos-Vietnam Railway will contribute to the development of a modern and standardized transport infrastructure system.
In addition, it will reduce the cost of transport to enhance the socio-economic development of Laos and will be a reliable source of revenue for the government’s budget over the long term.
The railway will strengthen Laos’ connectivity as a transport and trade hub within ASEAN and beyond, all of which will bring great benefits to the people of Laos, and the country will become more and more prosperous in a sustainable way.
The overall aim of the project is to support the Lao government’s vision and the country’s development strategy of transforming Laos from a landlocked country into a land-linked country.
The Laos-Vietnam Railway is a part of the Laos Logistics Link Project, which includes a number of sub-projects such as the Thanaleng Dry Port and Vientiane Logistics Park, the Laos-Vietnam Railway, Vung Ang Seaport, and the Boualapha Coal Fired Power Plant.
https://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Laos-Vietnam-Railway-Set-to-Open-for-Service-in-2028.jpg6271200Soutsada Xaphouvonghttps://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Lao-Simply-Beautiful-.webpSoutsada Xaphouvong2023-09-12 08:00:002023-09-10 16:23:59Laos-Vietnam Railway Set to Open for Service in 2028
Lao PM Attends 43rd ASEAN Summit, Calls for Business-Friendly Environment in Region
Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone along with other high-ranking delegates arrived on Monday in Jakarta, Indonesia, to attend the 43rd ASEAN Summit and related meetings that are being held under the theme “ASEAN Matters: Epicentrum of Growth” from 4-7 September.
Upon arrival in Jakarta, PM Sonexay and his delegates attended the ASEAN Business & Investment Summit 2023, which was organized by the ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ASEAN-BAC).
The summit brought together key stakeholders from ASEAN and its dialogue partners to discuss ways to boost trade and investment in the region, with over 2,000 delegates from 50 countries attending the event.
In his speech, PM Sonexay highlighted opportunities and challenges faced by ASEAN in areas of economic integration, climate change, and sustainable development. He also called on ASEAN to work together for a business-friendly environment and centrality in regional and global economies.
PM Sonexay also witnessed the handover of the chairmanship of the ASEAN Business & Investment Summit (ABIS) from Indonesia to Laos. The new chairman is Mr. Oudet Souvannavong, the president of the Lao National Chamber of Commerce and Industry, as Laos will host the next ABIS meeting in 2024.
source: https://www.tourismlaos.org/wp-admin/post-new.php?post_type=post
Lao PM Holds Bilateral Talks With Australia, Timor-Leste and IMF at ASEAN Summit
Prime Minister, Sonexay Siphandone, held bilateral meetings with the Prime Ministers of Australia and Timor-Leste, along with the Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) during the 43rd ASEAN Summit in Jakarta, Indonesia on Wednesday.
During the meeting with Antony Albanese, Australia’s Prime Minister, both leaders acknowledged the long-standing bilateral relationship and collaboration between the two nations, spanning 71 years.
According to the Lao National Radio, both leaders also expressed eagerness to continue developing the Lao-Australian Comprehensive Partnership in the near future.
Additionally, both leaders conveyed appreciation for joint efforts by the two nations within the ASEAN-Australia cooperation framework, particularly during Laos’ role as the ASEAN-Australia coordinating country from 2021-2024.
Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone then met with Timor-Leste’s Prime Minister, Kay Rala Xanana Gusmao, reaffirming Laos’ support for Timor-Leste’s ASEAN membership.
Currently, Timor-Leste is only a part of the bloc in principle, however, a road map for the nation’s full membership has been agreed upon after its first submission to become a member over a decade ago.
Both leaders expressed high regard for the strong friendship and cooperation between Laos and Timor-Leste over the past two decades as well.
On the same day, Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone also met with Mrs. Kristalina Georgieva, Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Their discussions focused on past cooperation between Laos and the IMF, as well as plans for future collaboration.
The IMF’s support for economic and financial development since 1961 has significantly contributed to the socio-economic progress of Laos, and it is hoped that this support will continue, especially as Laos prepares for its ASEAN chairmanship in 2024.
Laos’ Prime Minister also witnessed the handover of the chairmanship of the ASEAN Business & Investment Summit (ABIS) from Indonesia to Laos, during his official visit to Jakarta this week.
source: https://laotiantimes.com/2023/09/07/lao-pm-holds-bilateral-talks-with-australia-timor-leste-and-imf-at-asean-summit/
Laos-Vietnam Railway Set to Open for Service in 2028
The planned Laos-Vietnam Railway, running from Thakhek district in Khammouane province to the Lao-Vietnamese border, is expected to be completed and open for service in 2028.
The Petroleum Trading Lao Public Company (PTL), in cooperation with Yooshin Engineering Corporation and Korea National Railway, will conduct a detailed design study of the railway before construction begins.
A cooperation agreement on the project was signed in Vientiane last week by the President of Petroleum Trading Lao Public (PTL) Company, Mr. Chanthone Sitthixay, the President of Yooshin Engineering Corporation, Mr. Chon Kyung-soon, and the Executive Director of Korea National Railway, Mr. Park Jin-Hyun.
The signing ceremony was attended by the President of the Executive Board of Strategy and Planning at PTL Holding Company Limited, Mr. Alounkeo Kittikhoun, senior government officials from the ministries of Planning and Investment, Natural Resources and Environment, and Public Works and Transport, as well as other relevant government bodies and company representatives.
The Laos-Vietnam Railway will be built over a distance of 250 kilometers and will cost USD 2 billion to construct, Mr. Chanthone said.
“Our company has been granted the right to be the developer. We have made every effort to fulfill our obligations under the project and have already achieved key milestones such as the completion and approval of the economic and technical feasibility study and the environmental impact study.”
“The signing of the concession agreement and the detailed design study will pave the way for the construction phase in the future,” he added.
“Yooshin Engineering Corporation and Korea National Railway of the Republic of Korea have proven their high level of competency and great experience internationally about their outstanding expertise in engineering, design, construction, technology, and the management of railway projects globally and with great efficiency for over 60 years.”
“For this reason, I would like to express my deep appreciation of this step forward in cooperation through the detailed design study at this time and the further dedication of our company to this project.”
“I have full confidence that under the guidance and support of the Party and Lao government, the Laos-Vietnam Railway will be built as planned and that targets will be achieved,” Mr. Chanthone said.
When built and put into service, the Laos-Vietnam Railway will contribute to the development of a modern and standardized transport infrastructure system.
In addition, it will reduce the cost of transport to enhance the socio-economic development of Laos and will be a reliable source of revenue for the government’s budget over the long term.
The railway will strengthen Laos’ connectivity as a transport and trade hub within ASEAN and beyond, all of which will bring great benefits to the people of Laos, and the country will become more and more prosperous in a sustainable way.
The overall aim of the project is to support the Lao government’s vision and the country’s development strategy of transforming Laos from a landlocked country into a land-linked country.
The Laos-Vietnam Railway is a part of the Laos Logistics Link Project, which includes a number of sub-projects such as the Thanaleng Dry Port and Vientiane Logistics Park, the Laos-Vietnam Railway, Vung Ang Seaport, and the Boualapha Coal Fired Power Plant.
source: https://laotiantimes.com/2023/09/04/laos-vietnam-railway-set-to-open-for-service-in-2028/