VIENTIANE, Mar 17 (NNN-KPL) – Lao Prime Minister, Sonexay Siphandone, emphasised an urgent need, to set up immigration booths at stations on the China-Laos Railway, to facilitate cross-border travellers.
Chairing an extraordinary meeting of the cabinet on Wednesday and yesterday, the prime minister instructed the Ministry of Public Works and Transport, to work with the Laos-China Railway (LCRC), to designate areas inside stations where immigration booths could be installed.
The instruction comes amid increasing demand for rail travel, especially with the arrival of more tourists, the Lao National Radio reported, yesterday.
The Lao government places great importance on passenger and freight rail services, hoping that the railway will bolster efforts to alleviate ongoing financial and economic difficulties, driven by high levels of public debt.
When visiting the Vientiane station of the cross-border railway in the capital on Feb 27, Prime Minister Sonexay, has asked the LCRC to improve facilities and other services offered by the railway, to get ready to embrace an influx of tourists.
On the busiest days, the number of people travelling on the China-Laos Railway’s Lao section exceeds 10,000, indicating a strong boost for the rebound of tourism and the economy, according to the report.
The China-Laos Railway, launched in Dec, 2021, connects Kunming, capital of south-west China’s Yunnan province, with the Lao capital, Vientiane.– NNN-KPL
