The second Lao-Thai friendship bridge. Photo: Wikimedia Commons

The Ministry of Public Works and Transport chairs the Infrastructure Sector Working Group. Japan, the Asian Development Bank and the World Bank are Co-Chairs.

The Infrastructure Sector Working Group aims to support the implementation of the 8^th National Socio-Economic Development Plan (2016-2020) of the Lao PDR to graduate from its Least Developed Country status by 2020 and to contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 6, 9 and 11 of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

In 2014-15, Lao PDR completed three bridges across the Mekong river. Two are between Laos and Thailand and one is between Laos and Myanmar. The country also improved over 2,200 km of roads nationwide.

The Group’s vision to 2020 includes upgrading links for regional integration while maintaining existing infrastructure, including building three more bridges over the Mekong, building new riverbank ports, protecting the riverine environment and reducing the risks from disasters, developing water supply system and urbanization.

Sub-Sector Working Groups

The Infrastructure Sector Working Group includes three Sub-Sector Working Groups:

• Infrastructure Development
  Chair – Department of Roads, Ministry of Public Works and Transport
• Transport
  Chair – Department of Transport, Ministry of Public Works and Transport
• Water Sanitation & Urban Development
  Chair – Department of Housing and Urban Planning, Ministry of Public Works and Transport

SWG Secretariat Contacts

• Mr. Phetsamone Viraphanth, Deputy Director General, Department of Planning and Cooperation, Tel: 021 412 265 / 020 5551 0889
• Mr. Takashi Kurihara, Second Secretary, Embassy of Japan, Tel: 021 414 400 / 020 5907 1722