Railways To Help Laos’ Businesses Blossom

Source: Vientiane Times

Once opened, the Laos-China Railway promises to be a significant engine of business development in Laos.

This observation was made by the General Manager of the Laos-China Railway Company Limited, Mr Xiao Qianwen, to Vientiane Times in a recent meeting.

So far, work on the 422.4 km railway project from Boten in Luang Namtha province, which shares its borders with Yunnan province of China, to Vientiane, the capital of Laos is progressing well.

In another nine months, from April, the project will be officially opened. The plan is to open it on December 2, 2021 to coincide with the Lao National Day celebrations. 

Mr Xiao Qianwen said that the Lao population is around 6 million, and if the country pushes its development agenda making the best use of the railways, it will ensure rapid growth of the economy, and also boost investments along the railway route.

He strongly believed that in the next five to 10 years Laos will be at par with mega economies like China.

He explained that China has benefitted immensely from its railway network. The railways opened up huge opportunities for expanding businesses and boosting investments such as from Beijing to Hong Kong Railways, from Beijing to Guangzhou and Shanghai to Kunming.  

People, authorities, and investors in Laos are eagerly awaiting the completion of the construction and the official opening of the Laos-China Railway Project. They hope that the railways will advantage the country in many fields such as services, investments, transportations, exports, tourism and domestic production.

The chairman of Jiangge cement companies in Luang Prabang and Oudomxay provinces, Mr Lin Peiliang, told Vientiane Times on Monday that the Laos-China Railway project is an important factor that will help push the economy and enterprises.

It can attract numerous Chinese tourists and investors to bring in capital to Laos in the future and at the same time, the number of consumers is expected to soar.

The transportation of made-in-Lao products to China, which is one of the biggest markets of the world with 1.4 billion people, will be a dream come true. Goods from Laos will be able to fare better in Chinese markets.

Besides, when the services, business, and investment sectors are driven by the railways, these conditions will open up employment opportunities for job seekers. 

Mr Lin Peiliang added that the ease of doing business will be enhanced following the opening of the railway link.
Moreover, industrial parks with storages and super logistic systems will facilitate businesses further.