|
Khammuan eyes 15pct growth as regional links strengthen
Economic growth in Khammuan province is expected to reach 15 percent annually following last week's opening of the third Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge across the Mekong River.
Provincial Governor Mr Khambay Damlath told media last week that the current annual economic growth rate is 12 percent and the new regional link is expected to accelerate growth through the inflow of trade, investment and tourism. “We will focus on developing infrastructure, including road access to Vietnam and to local tourism sites so that we can benefit from transit services.”
The opening of the bridge connecting Khammuan province to Thailand's Nakhon Phanom province makes the provincial capital of Thakhek the shortest route between north-eastern Thailand and Vietnam.
Mr Khambay said it was about 300km from Thakhek to the closest seaport in Vietnam so businesses both in Laos and other countries would benefit from easier access to international shipping routes.
Provincial authorities plan to upgrade Road No. 12 to facilitate increased economic and development activities in central Laos. In addition, the government has conducted a survey on the possibility of building a railway connecting Khammuan with Vietnam.
“We also plan to build a riverside road linking Khammuan to Borikhamxay province and a road linking Thakhek to Buddha cave,” Mr Khambay said.
“We will not only improve road access to tourism sites but also develop more facilities at these sites because in 2015 we plan to showcase Khammuan as a major tourist destination.”
If the infrastructure is developed as planned, the province will prove to be an exciting destination for investors and tourists alike, he said.
Authorities also plan to develop a new town near the bridge after giving approval for the private sector to develop a special economic zone in the area with the aim of boosting trade and investment.
Mr Khambay believes the development zone will directly benefit an estimated 6,000 people living in seven villages nearby the bridge.
“If villagers living near the zone can find employment with the development project, I think that it will help to alleviate poverty,” he said.
Located in a strategic position, Khammuan province has potential for agricultural production, hydropower development and mining. Two foreign companies currently operate a potassium mining project that produces about 2 million tonnes of the mineral per year.
Mr Khambay said the province is also rich in limestone deposits, creating great potential for cement production for export. Provincial authorities are keen to encourage local farmers and businesses to boost production levels so they can reap the benefits brought about by improved transport links with neighbouring countries.
The new bridge not only facilitates regional integration but also the Lao government's efforts to convert the country from a landlocked nation to a regional land link. There are two other bridges linking Laos and Thailand across the Mekong. By 2014, the two nations expected to have four bridges across the river.
vientiane times
|
