The triangle of land where the Lao, Vietnamese and Cambodian borders
meet will be developed, after the Japanese government provided funding
assistance of US$20 million.

The Lao part of the development triangle is located in Attapeu
province in southern Laos . The province borders Vietnam and Cambodia
and has five districts - Xaysettha, Samakhixay, Sanamxay, Sanxay, and
Phouvong.

" Laos has received US$8 million of this funding," Deputy Secretary to
Attapeu Provincial Governor, Mr Khammuan Vongphachanh, said by
telephone yesterday.

Two of the five districts in Attapeu province are considered to be
amongst the poorest in the country, where there is a lack of basic
infrastructure, especially roads and electricity.

An asphalt road connecting Attapeu to Vietnam was built several a few
years ago, but there is no road access to Cambodia . Only Champassak
province currently has a road link to Cambodia , Mr Khammuan said.

As part of development plans to take the province out of poverty by
2010, a road link between Attapeu and Cambodia is planned.

A planned motorway between Attapeu and Vietnam , passing through
Phouvong district, is currently undergoing surveying and design.

"We are not yet sure when the road will be complete, but when the
surveying is finished we should have a clearer idea," Mr Khammuan
said.

The province will use money from the development fund to construct the
new road, which will include bridges across the Xekong and Xekhaman
rivers.

Road access from the main town to the border area of Phouvong district
is restricted during the wet season, as vehicles often cannot cross
the rivers because ferry services are frequently halted due to strong
currents.

"There are no asphalt roads in our district," Phouvong District
Governor Bounnoy Salangkong said.

"Once complete, the road will help reduce poverty because people will
have better access to markets between Laos and Cambodia where they can
sell their agricultural produce and handicraft goods," Mr Khammuan
said.

By Khonesavanh Latsaphao
(Latest Update April 4, 2008)