Vientiane Logistics Park, smart tech developers discuss possible partnership

The developer of the Thanaleng Dry Port(TDP) and Vientiane Logistics Park(VLP)and a smart technology developer on Wednesday held talks to explore a potential partnership to jointly develop and introduce more smart technologies and applications to modernise logistics services at the dry port and park.

Officials from the Applied Research Institute of Smart Technology and executives of TDP and VLP gather for a group photo.

Officials from the Applied Research Institute of Smart Technology under the Ministry of Technology and Telecommunication visited the dry port and logistics park, which is being developed on 382 hectares in Dongphosy village, Hadxaifong district.
Opened for service since December last year, the dry port and logistics park have made use of modern technologies and applications similar to those utilised in Thailand’s seaports to operate and provide convenient services to customers.
The technologies and applications have been customised to suit the dry port and logistics park, the developer told the guests.
The digital system employed by the US$727 million project also links to various ports as well as to Laos’ electronic tax system, which further facilitates customer service.
“We are aiming to streamline procedures,” the developer said.
Director General of the institute, Phonpasith Phissamay, and his team presented digital solution for dry port the institute has developed in order to explore potential cooperation towards introducing new applications and technologies to improve services at the dry port and logistics park.
The discussions came after the Minister of Technology and Telecommunication, Prof. Dr Boviengkham Vongdara, visited the dry port when he initiated the idea of a potential partnership between the institute and the dry port and logistics park in order to modernise and digitalise service systems.
Mr Phonpasith praised the dry port and logistics park for the advanced systems they employed.
Head of the Investment Promotion Unit of VLP Co., Ltd., Ms Viphalath Jinnalard, briefed the guests about the project and the important role it plays in facilitating transport and logistics services, which bolster investment and economic development.
The dry port links to the Laos-China Railway, which connects further to an interconnected rail system that reaches European markets in a shorter time of travel.
“It takes just over 10 days (to reach Europe),” she said.
This is much shorter than the time taken for goods to be transported by sea, which takes at least 40 days.
The developer is optimistic that Laos will become a new global supply chain, thanks to such cost-effective and fast transport and logistics services.
Located near the Laos-Thailand Friendship Bridge and the Laos-Thailand Railway, cross-border transport costs, especially at the Friendship Bridge, are expected to fall by 40 percent from current prices by 2025.
The dry port functions as an international border checkpoint for freight and is an important land port for freight transit, notably between neighbouring Thailand and China and beyond. 
Being part of the Lao Logistics Link (LLL) project, the dry port and logistics park will also link to Vung Ang Port in Vietnam’s central Ha Tinh province through a planned railway. The port and railway are also part of the LLL.
PTL Holding Company Limited has partnered with the Lao and Vietnamese governments to develop and operate the LLL project.
Recently, Vietnam’s FLC Group and the Lao investor signed a Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in construction of the Vientiane-Vung Ang railway. The Lao investor expects to start construction of the railway in Laos’ Khammuan province by the end of this year.
The Lao investor said these mega infrastructure projects will be a significant boost to Lao socio-economic development, given the cost effective services provided through enhanced transport and logistics.
Shipping of cargo through the port, including from Thailand’s Issan region to larger Asian markets such as China, Republic of Korea, Japan and Hong Kong, results in cheaper charges.
Ms Viphalath said incentives including tax breaks are offered to investors doing business within the project’s several zones.
These zones include the Thanaleng Dry Port - the centre of international import and export trade with all categories of customs operations; a Tank Farm - a fuel distribution centre for Laos; the Logistics Park - a warehousing and distribution centre; a Free Trade Zone; and an Export Processing Zone.

	The guests visit the dry port and logistics park operation room.	Mr Phonpasith Phissamay (left) and his team tour the dry port project site.

By Advertorial Desk
 (Latest Update May 13, 2022)