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2009-0612 - The Nation - Now it's no stopping for trucks over 3 countries

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2009/06/12/business/business_30104978.php

Business

Now it's no stopping for trucks over 3 countries

Published on June 12, 2009

Thailand, Vietnam and Laos launched a scheme yesterday allowing trucks to drive across the three countries without stopping, in a major boost for road trade in the region, the Asian Development Bank said.

The new Cross-Border Transport Agreement speeds up overland shipments travelling along the "East-West Economic Corridor," which runs from Danang in central Vietnam, through to southwest Laos and into Thailand.

The three countries yesterday exchanged the traffic rights and customs transit system in Bangkok.

Hauliers going between Vietnam and Thailand can now get permits meaning their goods no longer have to be unloaded, checked and reloaded in transit country Laos and can proceed direct to their destinations, the ADB said. Shipments previously needed to be unloaded and reloaded in Lao territory.

The latest initiatives, in tandem with recently-implemented single-window and single-stop border inspections, will sharply reduce overland transport times and boost trade and economic development.

"Ten years after Laos, Thailand and Vietnam first agreed to ease cross-border traffic rules, the promise of that agreement is truly being realised," said Arjun Thapan, director-general of the Asian Development Bank's Southeast Asia Department.

"Narrow dirt trails that were once used to transport refugees and military hardware have given way to modern highways carrying electronic goods, exotic fruits and tourists."

ADB first supported development of the East West Economic Corridor through a US$57-million (Bt1.9 billion) concessional loan in 1999, primarily to fund the construction and upgrade of roads in Vietnam and Laos.

"Because of the progress these countries have made, trade and tourism will prosper further. You can now set out from Thailand, do business in Laos, and arrive in time for dinner at Danang in Vietnam - all in the space of a single day," said Arjun.

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June 12, 2009 05:39 pm (Thai local time)
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Dr. Justin McDaniel
Dept. of Religious Studies
3046 INTN
University of California, Riverside
Riverside, CA 92521
951-827-4530
justinm at ucr.edu