Thailand, China, Laos to Push Forward "Asian Highway" Plan

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 ◆ Thailand, China, Laos to Push Forward "Asian Highway" Plan

Thailand, China and Laos have agreed in principle to go ahead with the construction of the "Asian Highway" plan that will connect road transportation of the three countries. It will benefit all three partner nations by the expansion of transportation facilities and the promotion of the tourism industry.

Thailand, China and Laos have agreed in principle to go ahead with the construction of the "Asian Highway" plan that will connect road transportation of the three countries, the state-owned radio reported recently.

The agreement was reached at a meeting held here recently between transport officials from the three countries.

The highway, aimed at stimulating tourism and improving transportation links in the three countries was first proposed at a regional meeting last November, where the three countries agreed to a three-way split on the estimated project which is worth some 45 million U.S. dollars.

Thai officials said most of the necessary highway construction will be in Lao territory, but it will benefit all three partner nations by the expansion of transportation facilities and the promotion of the tourism industry.

According to the plan, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) will act as coordinator in the fields of technical assistance and highway design. The survey and design work will start this year and the construction will begin in 2003, with completion expected in 2006.(People's Daily)