No Progress On Northern Highway Sections, There Are Many Outstanding Tasks

Source: KPL

No progress has been reported for the development of sections 2 and 3 of the Northern Highway construction project (Vang Vieng to Luang Prabang, Luang Prabang to Udomxay, and Udomxay to Laos-China border (BoTen-BoHan)).

Although its construction has been surveyed and studied for many years, the highway project has not progressed and there are still many outstanding tasks.

The Ministry of Planning and Investment of the Lao PDR has reviewed a Chinese company’s request to continue studying the feasibility of the highway ranges.

Yunnan Construction and Investment Holding Group has already renewed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the ministry three times, but the project has not progressed and there are still many outstanding tasks.

Realizing that is necessary to choose a company that is ready in various aspects to continue the development of section 2 – Vang Vieng to Luang Prabang and section 3 – Luang Prabang to Udomxay to complete the infrastructure project as soon as possible, the Prime Minister’s Office issued on March 30, 2022 Notice No. 431 denying the company’s additional request for MoU renewal, canceling section 2 (Vang Vieng to Luang Prabang) and section 3 (Luang Prabang to Udomxay) of the highway project.

The office states in its notice that Yunnan Construction and Investment Holding Group can continue to develop section 4 of the highway (from Udomxay to the Laos-China border (BoTent-BoHan)) because the company has already conducted a feasibility study on the state of the highway and has some data, but the time frame for the implementation of the project must be clearly defined.