Vientiane: The Ministry of Public Works and Transport (MPWT) has announced its commitment to prioritizing the development of road infrastructure and the expansion of water supply systems in order to align with the government's National Agenda on Rural Development and Poverty Eradication. Minister Leklay Sivilay addressed the National Assembly, emphasizing the significance of these initiatives.
According to Lao News Agency, during the First Extraordinary Session of the 10th National Assembly on July 8, the minister highlighted the ministry's focus on enhancing strategic transport networks and increasing access to safe drinking water in rural areas. The planned infrastructure improvements aim to facilitate trade, tourism, and mobility by upgrading national highways, international transport corridors, and local roads.
The MPWT will continue its current road projects, supported by the Road Fund and other investment programs. Future projects will be funded through various sources, including the state budget, official development assistance (ODA), public-private partnerships (PPP), build-operate-transfer (BOT) arrangements, local government funds, and private sector contributions. The Road Fund is projected to contribute between 2 trillion and 2.5 trillion kip annually for nationwide road maintenance and development.
Beyond transport infrastructure, the ministry plans to expedite the expansion of water supply systems in subdistricts and villages lacking reliable access to drinking water. Efforts will also target urban challenges, such as reducing water losses, improving urban planning, and addressing issues like flooding and solid waste management.
The ministry intends to collaborate with the Ministry of Culture and Tourism and local authorities to enhance roads leading to tourist destinations. Additionally, coordination with the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment will be pursued to develop road networks supporting agricultural production areas.
To support the expansion of water supply infrastructure, the ministry will work with local administrations and seek financial backing from development partners, including the World Bank, Asian Development Bank (ADB), and Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), alongside government funding.