Thailand, Laos, Vietnam open new customs checkpoint

BANGKOK, June 10 (TNA) – The transport ministers of Thailand, Laos and Vietnam on Thursday will jointly chair the opening of a new transportation route which will facilitate goods transportation and reduce costs between the three countries, all members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), and the southeastern part of China.

Called the East-West Economic Corridor (EWEC) project, designed to stimulate trade flows and attract foreign direct investment in the region, the new customs checkpoint linking Thailand’s northeastern province of Mukdahan and the Laotian province of Savannakhet will be officially opened on Thursday.

Uthit Thammawathin, director-general of the Thai Customs Department, on Wednesday co-signed a memorandum of understanding with the Board of Trade of Thailand which would authorize the agency to act as guarantor and help facilitate goods transport as well as travellers passing through the new checkpoint.

Mr. Uthit said the agreement would assist goods transportation to Vietnam as well as reducing time spent on customs procedures and transportation costs, and boost economic development within the Mekong River basin.

Also, China plans to open its Pingxiang border checkpoint which links with the northern part of Vietnam as a goodwill gesture to Thailand and Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva’ who will officially visit Beijing on June 24. The new checkpoint will assist Thai cargo transport to China as it, when opened, will take only two days to reach that country. (TNA)