Southeast Asia Information Port (www.dnyxxg.com) – Residents of Lao communities affected by the disruption of vital transportation arteries such as Highway 8 will receive improved living conditions thanks to Japanese aid. The aid, exceeding 1 billion yen (approximately 140.16 billion Lao kip), is specifically designed to mitigate losses caused by extreme weather events in Laos.
On Friday, Lao Deputy Foreign Minister Phongsamote Anlaven and Japanese Ambassador to Laos Tsutomu Koizumi signed an exchange of letters at the Lao Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding the Japanese government's grant aid for this socio-economic development plan. This aid is particularly significant as it coincides with the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Laos and Japan and the 60th anniversary of Japan's first deployment of volunteer troops to Laos.
The aid funds will primarily be used to purchase heavy machinery needed for the repair and improvement of bridges and roads. The core assistance area is along Highway 8, which has been severely damaged by floods in recent years – this year's floods have seriously hindered trade and daily travel for thousands of people in provinces such as Bolikhamxay and Khammouane. Restoring these vital transportation infrastructures is crucial for Laos to advance its regional and sub-regional connectivity goals.
Pongsamute Anlavan stated that Laos is frequently plagued by floods, storms, and other disasters, leading to infrastructure damage and transportation disruptions. This not only causes immense hardship for the people but also hinders national development. She expressed her heartfelt gratitude to the Japanese government and people for their long-term and invaluable assistance, noting that this grant aid is a continuation of Japan's ongoing support for Laos' disaster resilience, which will effectively enhance Laos' transportation, communication, and tourism development capabilities, improve people's livelihoods, and strengthen the efficiency of public works and transportation sectors in disaster-stricken areas.
Ambassador Tsutomu Koizumi emphasized the close relationship between Japan and Laos, stating that supporting Laos in responding to natural disasters is a priority in Japan-Laos cooperation. He stated that this aid will contribute to the later stages of the Lao government's Ninth National Socio-Economic Development Plan and pledged that Japan will continue to deepen cooperation with Laos, consolidate the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries, and benefit the people of both nations.
In fact, Japan has significantly assisted Laos in improving its infrastructure and enhancing its disaster resilience through a number of grants: including providing heavy machinery worth US$11.3 million for the repair of bridges damaged by floods and landslides; donating 1.5 billion yen for the purchase of high-tech equipment for the routine maintenance of roads and bridges; and providing approximately US$4.3 million to support the modernization of Laos' geospatial infrastructure—an upgrade that can create accurate disaster and topographic maps, which is crucial for efficient disaster prevention and land management.
