Authorities are now resolving a number of final issues, including compensating individuals who have been affected by the Laos-China railway project and dealing with areas where the railway crosses highways.
Category: Laos
Human rights claims undermine China’s investment abroad, report finds
The Business & Human Rights Resource Centre logged 679 charges of human rights abuse against Chinese companies operating abroad between 2013 and 2020. Among the key findeings were problems associated with lost livelihoods linked to a rail project in Laos were noted, the vast majority of the renewable energy complaints were related to hydropower projects, and Myanmar saw the most allegations of any country with 97.
Laos, Vietnam ink 14 new agreements, including for hydropower development
These include a Memorandum of Understanding on hydropower development on the Ma River in Huaphan province, agreement to buy electricity from the Nam Ou and Nam Ngum 4 dams, and other electricity purchasing and mining agreements.
Laos’ China-funded belt and road railway: Thailand licks its lips, but fears for Luang Prabang’s World Heritage Site
Laos could struggle to repay Chinese debt; that only a fraction of the population will benefit; and that overtourism could threaten Luang Prabang’s world heritage status
Egat to import more electricity from Laos
State-run Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (Egat) plans to import an additional 1,200 megawatts of electricity from hydroelectric power plants in Laos under a long-term purchase contract.
Fighting poverty by protecting landscapes
Vientiane, August 5, 2021 – The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry and the World Bank have launched a $57 million Lao Landscapes and Livelihoods Project that will generate jobs and income in rural areas by promoting investment in environmentally sustainable and socially-responsible forest and landscape management, and in the preservation of Lao PDR’s natural capital.
Switzerland and Laos boost development programme
The accord includes closer cooperation on employment, vocational education and training, as well as agriculture and food security.
Enhancing early warning systems in Cambodia for climate change
A new project in Cambodia and Lao PDR was announced last week by countries engaged in the Climate Risk and Early Warning Systems (CREWS) Initiative. The four-year, $5.5 million project is led by national institutions and will enhance their capacities to provide hydrometeorological, early action, and response services to vulnerable populations in Cambodia.
Vientiane dry port a transport hub for region and world, Japanese diplomats told
Under construction in Dongphosy village, Hadxaifong district, Vientiane, the TDP and VLP are part of the Lao National Logistics Strategy that will help transform Laos from being landlocked to a land-linked country, Thanaleng Dry Port Managing Director Sakhone Philangam told the visiting guests.
Can China’s Belt and Road open up landlocked Laos?
It is estimated the railway will cut the cost of transport by 40% compared to travel by road, albeit at a total project cost of US $5.9 billion.