PM orders modernisation of logistics, greater use of railway to drive growth

Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone has told the Ministry of Public Works and Transport to speed up the modernisation of transport and logistics systems and maximise the potential provided by the rail network to drive growth.

Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone.

Addressing the 2023 meeting of the public works and transport sector in Vientiane on Tuesday, the premier said transport and logistics are important drivers of the economy as well as being significant generators of revenue.
“Therefore, more attention must be paid to the development of transport and logistics to create a modernised and centralised system,” the head of government said.
The Laos-China Railway, he added, is an important factor in Laos’ economic growth so authorities in charge need to formulate measures to integrate it and develop an aligned multimodal transport system.
Open for service since December 2021, the railway, which is part of the global transport network known as the Belt and Road Initiative, links Southeast Asia with China and Europe by rail and has transformed landlocked Laos into a land-link country.
“Our country’s strategic location is favourable for regional and global connectivity and integration,” PM Sonexay said.
Growing connectivity has boosted trade in the sub-region.
The PM also instructed meeting participants to closely regulate heavily loaded trucks and repair damaged sections of highways, making this a top priority. He highlighted the issue after reports that several roads have been badly damaged, largely because of frequent use by overweight lorries carrying minerals.
In addition, the premier stressed the need to properly manage construction in line with town planning regulations amid rapid urbanisation. 
“Urban development must align with infrastructure development in ways that are environmentally-friendly and support efforts to create liveable and modern cities,” the PM suggested, and asked the meeting to devise effective plans and limitations to regulate the issue.
The meeting was also told to further improve civil aviation to ensure the safety of air transport.
PM Sonexay praised the public works and transport sector for its achievements in expanding and advancing the transport network, which has served to boost socio-economic development.

By Times Reporters
 (Latest Update April 11, 2024)