Deputy Commerce Ministry hopes to develop Thai-Lao logistics

BANGKOK, 22 January 2010 (NNT) – Deputy Commerce Minister expected the development of logistics between Thailand and Lao PDR to promote trade under the AFTA framework.

Deputy Minister of Commerce Alongkorn Polabut paid a visit the Northeastern provinces and Lao PDR, under the logistics project, during 16-18 January 2009. The visit was meant to survey the route between Thailand and Lao PDR for logistic development. The project was aimed to promote small and large businesses, tourism, and border development, also to support Thai SMEs in Southeastern provinces toward Lao PDR.

Both countries agreed on collaborating in logistics as Lao PDR had the potential to be developed into the Land Link and Land Bridge among Thailand, Lao, Vietnam and South China. The collaboration in Inland Container Depot (ICD) was a mutual agreement by Thai and Lao International Freight Forwarders Association (TIFFA-LIFFA). These would help facilitating trade between the two countries and resulting in cost saving for both countries.