Hanoi, Dec 17 – Japan has pledged a number of aid packages to support Laos and Myanmar with infrastructure-building projects, Vietnam News Agency (VNA) reported, citing news agencies reports.
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe had on Sunday announced that Japan will provide Laos with an aid package worth over US$100 million to help the Southeast Asian nation expand the international airport terminal in Vientiane, and another project on poverty reduction.
It also partly helped in a bridge construction initiative in the southern part of Laos, the Japan’s Foreign Ministry was quoted by news agencies as saying.
Abe and his Lao counterpart Thongsing Thammavong agreed to launch official consultations to conclude an aviation pact that will pave the way for direct flights to further embrace bilateral economic ties.
On the same day Japan granted fresh aid worth about US$610 million to Myanmar. The loans are designed to help build infrastructure for the Thilawa Special Economic Zone in the suburbs of Yangon, and upgrade a railway network in the country, among other projects.
Abe said at a joint press conference with President of Myanmar U Thein Sein in Tokyo that Japan will continue to provide support, both at the public and private level, for infrastructure building initiatives and work towards Myanmar’s development.
– Bernama
