Burma and Laos to build friendship bridge

Vientiane - Laos and Burma agreed to build a bridge across the Mekong River, providing the first road link between the two neighbours, media reports said Friday.

The agreement to build a "friendship bridge" linking Xiengkok in Luang Namtha province in Laos to Kainglap in Burma was signed Thursday by Lao Transport Minister Sommad Pholsena and Burmese Construction Minister Khin Maung Myint, the Vientiane Times reported.

The signing was witnessed by Burmese President Thein Sein during his two-day visit to Laos.

The Lao-Burma border is defined by the Mekong River, which flows from southern China to the Mekong Delta in southern Vietnam.

In his talks with Lao President Choummaly Sayasone, Thein Sein agreed to join the Mekong River Commission as a permanent member, the Vientiane Times reported.

China and Burma now have observer status on the four-member commission, which seeks regional consensus on the management of the Mekong’s resources.

The commission’s permanent members are Laos, Cambodia, Thailand and Vietnam

-- The Nation 2012-03-23

wonder who will pay for it??

The Asian Development Bank is paying for it, as an Agreed Priority GMS Transport Project in the Greater Mekong Subregion Economic Cooperation Program.