Illustrative image (Photo: Xinhua/VNA)December 2 will mark the 46th anniversary of establishment ofthe Lao People's Democratic Republic.
The PM made the confirmation amid growing concerns thatthe escalating COVID-19 outbreak might affect the planned start of railwayservices. Currently, many provinces and Vientiane are under lockdown thatrestricts people's movements.
The local online newspaper quoted Phankham as saying thatthe government will go ahead with the opening as planned. He told reportersboth online and offline that "I confirm that the railway will surelyopen on December 2."
The Lao government is drawing up plans for the opening and operationof the railway under conditions that comply with COVID-19 control measures toensure the safety of everyone concerned.
Initially, railway operations will focus on freight transport.Services for tourists will be offered later depending on the circumstances inwhich traveler safety can be assured with respect to COVID-19 epidemic.
When it is able to operate normally, the Lao prime minister said, therailway will greatly benefit Laos given its significant role in bolsteringtourism and the transport of goods.
It is expected that the 422.4-km railway will cut the cost oftransport through Laos by 30-40 percent compared to travel by road, thusgiving a boost to trade and investment, Vientiane Times reported.
The railway would be a significant force in enabling Laos to be partof a new global supply chain, according to Vientiane Logistics Park Co.,Ltd., the developer of the Thanaleng Dry Port and Vientiane Logistics Park.
Chanthone Sitthixay, chairman of Vientiane Logistics Park Co., Ltd.,said the transport of goods from Southeast Asia to Europe via the railwaywould take just over 10 days, much shorter than using the sea route whichtakes about 45 days, and he predicted that countries in the region wouldchoose to ship their containers via the railway.
Initially, at least 300,000 containers from Laos, mainly from theThanaleng Dry Port, are expected to be shipped via the China-Laos Railway toEurope through China each year. Later, shipments are estimated to risefurther to between 1.2 and 1.8 million containers a year, according toChanthone./.
VNA
