Laos-China Railway set to tackle ticketing, transportation issues
 
Several issues related to the services of the Laos-China Railway were discussed at a workshop held on Wednesday under the Public-Private Consultative Meeting mechanism of the Lao Business Forum (LBF).

The Vice President of LNCCI, Mr Vanthong Sithikoun (left), delivers her opening remarks at the workshop on Wednesday.

The half-daylong workshop was attended by representatives of the public and private sectors and co-chaired by the Deputy Director General of the Railways Department of the Ministry of Public Works and Transport (MPWT), Mr Chanthone Sayakone, the Vice President of the Lao National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LNCCI), Mr Vanthong Sithikoun, and the Deputy Director of the Laos-China Railway, Mr Thongdeun Khammany.
The workshop was aimed at disseminating information about the services of the Laos-China Railway, particularly the fees for transporting and transiting goods.
The event also allowed the participants to understand about the scope of services provided by the Laos-China Railway, particularly for transportation and transit of goods.
The participants said it is essential for the public to have better access to the railway’s passenger service schedule and for ticketing issues to be overcome.
The issues raised at the meeting will be considered as a priority by the LBF. In addition, several issues related to the railway’s passenger services were also discussed.
The participants included Lao and foreign business owners and representatives of different organisations.
During the meeting, the Vice President of the LNCCI Mr Vanthong Sithikoun also expressed the importance of Laos-China Railway transportation which can significantly reduce costs and facilitate exports for the local producers.
He said that the development of the railway transportation along with the implementation of trade facilitation and business environment workplan will enhance the producers and consumers in the China-Asean regions.
“It will also help the Lao producers to integrate with the international supply chains as well as creating more exports and varieties of manufacturing products,” he said.
At the same workshop, a number of the private sector called for the public sector in collaboration with the railway company to tackle transport and ticketing issues in order to enhance the exports and facilitate more convenience for the influx of foreign tourists in this coming high season. Meanwhile, a representative of the railway company also informed the gathering that it is now developing a new online application channel for better access of ticketing services and to put an end for chaotic agents who are making profits from selling tickets.
“The newly-developed online application is set to put into a test this September with the hope of boosting the easiest way for passengers to buy tickets in the near future,” the company’s Deputy Director Mr Thongdeun Khammany said at the meeting.    
The half-daylong workshop was sponsored by the Lao Competitiveness and Trade Project (LCT).

By Times Reporters
(Latest Update September 1, 2022)