Laos reopens local border gates to facilitate business
The Lao Government is temporarily reopening some local and customary border crossings in a bid to revive the economy and minimise the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, the English-language newspaper of Laos, Vientiane Times, reported on October 26.
Hanoi (VNA) - The Lao Governmentis temporarily reopening some local and customary border crossings in a bid torevive the economy and minimise the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, theEnglish-language newspaper of Laos, Vientiane Times, reported on October 26.
The move is part of government efforts to balance the imposition of measures tocontain the spread of the coronavirus SARS CoV-2 with the easing ofrestrictions to enable businesses to import and export goods, the newspapercited the Lao PDR Trade Portal.
The lifting of certain restrictions would not only allow improved cross-bordertrade between four provinces in Laos and its neighbouring countries, but also helpbusinesses lower their production costs and overcome the challenges facingthem, and recovering the country’s economy.
The opened ones include the Nongmar customary border crossing in Khammuanprovince, Ban Vang local border crossing in Vientiane province, Thasa-athcustomary border crossing in Borikhamxay province, and the Panghay local bordercrossing in Luang Namtha province.
Notably, the Panghay border crossing will reopen from November 1 until June 30next year to aid trade between Laos and China.
In Laos, goods are mainly imported and exported through international bordercrossings which are equipped with the necessary facilities and personnel toscreen and identify anyone carrying the virus.
To date, Laos has reported 24 COVID-19 cases, with no deaths./.
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Photo: jclao.com 
