Huge cash injection needed for infrastructure development
An estimated 27.1 trillion kip (US$3.2 billion) is needed to implement the infrastructure sector development strategy up to 2015.
Minister of Public Works and Transport, Mr Sommath Pholsena, made the comment at the 9th Annual Round Table Implementation Meeting on Official Development Assistance and Development in Laos, held on Tuesday in Vientiane.
The meeting heard about progress over in the infrastructure sector over the past year, as well as presenting a strategic plan.
Since 1984, the government has supported infrastructure development in collaboration with development partners. This includes 70 projects worth more than US$1.15 billion covering transport, civil aviation, urban development, water supply networks and riverbank protection.
The action plan up to 2015 involves the integration of all sub-sectors into a complex action and implementation plan under the guidance of the Ministry of Public Works and Transport.
Planned infrastructure development projects include improvements to road networks, inland waterways, air transport, railways, urban development, and water supply networks.
Mr Sommath said severe weather conditions regularly cause serious damage to transport infrastructure in many areas of the country.
“ The damage caused by these unpreventable natural disasters requires a coordinated response headed by our administration. The ministry will continue to do its utmost to bring any adverse situations back to normal.”
Road network and automobile transport improvements include linking Laos with neighbouring countries, and improving roads in the north-south economic corridor and east-west economic corridor.
Roads in rural areas will continue to be improved to boost development and improve access to important tourism sites.
Upgrading roads is also important in improving cargo transportation and road safety.
The government will also develop navigation routes along the Mekong River and tributary rivers, improve and construct ports in appropriate locations where needed, and improve riverbank protection.
Air transport will also be improved and security for aviation services will be standardised for further acceptance of international aircraft. Airport control systems will be enhanced to meet international standards.
The strategic plan also includes plans for the survey and design, including feasibility studies, for railway routes from both north to south and east to west, to further improve transportation of goods. Planned urban development and water supply improvements include construction of urban road networks, preservation and development of local architectural styles, and improved water supply and sanitation systems.
The meeting provided an opportunity for the Lao government and development partners to continue discussion on issues of interest, including outlining past achievements, presenting a draft of the 7th National Socio-Economic Development Plan 2011-2015 and the resources required to implement it.
By Phonsavanh Vongsay
November 5, 2009
Vientiane Times
