Sakhone Philangam (left) presents a gift to Phumintra Plungsombut. - VT
VIENTIANE (Vientiane Times/Asia News Network): Authorities from Thailand and the operator of the Thanaleng Dry Port on Wednesday (Sept 6) met to discuss logistics and transport link opportunities, including the need to remove non-tariff barriers to speed the shipment of freight.
It comes as Laos is poised to become an important logistics hub between Southeast Asia, China and beyond, thanks to the operation of the Laos-China railway which converges with the Laos-Thailand railway at the dry port.
The Thai delegation, led by a Senior Expert of the Prime Minister’s Office of Thailand, Phumintra Plungsombut, visited the Thanaleng Dry Port International Border Checkpoint (Cargo Terminal) in Vientiane to seek opportunities.
Exporters in Thailand, which is a major fruit producer, are reaping lucrative rewards thanks to speedy and cost-effective rail transport that delivers fresh farm produce to Chinese consumers in a shorter period of time.
“We facilitate Thai exports to China,” the dry port’s managing director Sakhone Philangam told the guests. In response to questions raised by the Thai guests, the director said the Lao and Thai sides need to work together to link data on export categories and related information in order to expedite exports, including pre-alert and customs declaration procedures.
“It would be good if we can push this [data link]. It will quicken [the process],” Sakhone said.
In addition, he suggested that Thai shippers send trucks across the Laos-Thailand Mekong Friendship Bridge earlier in the day, saying they currently start their journey at about 10am, which is late and causes congestion on the Lao side of the border, including at the dry port, which is located near the bridge. This delays the processing of freight.
The director also stressed the need for the relevant sectors in Laos and Thailand to hold talks to figure out in detail the non-tariff barriers to be addressed.
Sakhone informed the guests that the Lao developer of the dry port and Vientiane Logistics Park is working with Chinese authorities to build a sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) centre at the logistics park to facilitate SPS certification.
Using Beijing’s SPS certification, Sakhone said his team and the relevant sectors in Thailand could jointly organise business roadshows in Chinese cities, so that goods with SPS certification and sealed in Laos could enter Chinese cities even where a different SPS standard is imposed.
“If we could do this, it will bring real benefits. We should discuss what I am required to support,” the director said. He added that his company will do its best to negotiate with the relevant sectors and China to remove any non-tariff barriers that may arise, to smooth the shipment of freight and boost trade in the region.
With the operation of the dry port and the Laos-China railway -- part of the planned regional rail network linking China’s Kunming to Singapore through Laos, Thailand and Malaysia – the dry port operator said Laos is becoming an important trade gateway between China and South-east Asia.
