(KPL) The existing bilateral cooperation between Laos and India have been expanded continuously, especially assistance on infrastructure development.
A press release from Indian Embassy in Laos said that the India has provided a US$10 million loan for a 115 KV transmission line from Ban-Na in Champassak to Attapeu provinces in 2004.
President Choummaly Sayasone, right, and his Indian counterpart Pratibha Devisingh Patil press buttons to open a 115-KV Paksong-Jiansai-Bangyo transmission line project. Vientiane, September 10, 2010
The project was developed by Jaguar International and fully completed in 2006.
In August 2008, during the visit of President Choummaly Sayasone, an agreement was signed to provide a SU$33 million loan for different projects.
The supply of equipment for rural electrification was worth US$4 million, which completed in September 2009.
The Paksong-Jiangsai-Bangyo transmission line project worthUS$18 million. This project was commissioned on 10 September, 2010 by Presidents of India and Laos.
The 7.5 MW Nam Song hydropower project worth US$11 million is now under construction and it expected to be completed in September this year.
A US$17.34 million loan was agreed upon for the development of irrigation schemes in Champassak province, the agreement for which was signed in May 2009.
On 13 September 2010, a loan agreement between Exim Bank of India and Lao Ministry of Finance was signed in Vientiane for US$72.55 million loan for the following two projects of 230 KV Double Circuit Transmission Line from Nabong to Thabok and sub-stations worth US$37.86 million.
India also granted US$2 million for a foundry project in Vientiane province in 2002.
Ten desk top computers, one lap top computer, ten printers, two photocopiers and five scanners were gifted to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in November 2002.
25 TATA Jeeps were gifted to the Lao National Army on 21 January, 2003. 20 static line parachutes were presented to the Lao National Army on 2 April 2009.
The Lao-India Entrepreneurship Development Centre was established under the India-ASEAN Fund in November 2004.
The Lao-India Centre for English Language Training was established under India-ASEAN Cooperation in August 2007.
India set up an IT centre in Vientiane in November 2004, as well as a National Data Centre in May 2006.
Ten Rural Telecommunication Centres were set up, seven in provinces and three in the Ministry of Health, the Prime Minister’s Office and the office of the Governor of Vientiane.
For the restoration of the world heritage site at Vat Phou, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed with the Ministry of Information and Culture in May 2007. Work on the project began in June 2009 and expected to spend US$4.1 million.
In 2008, India provided US$ one million for flood relief.
Indian government has provided US$1.02 million under the IBSA Trust Fund for an integrated watershed management project at the Nam Sa river basin in Bolikhamsay province.
The Defence Research and Development Organisation set a scientist to provide training in the installation of calipers and made a gift of calipers to the Ministry of Health in June 2009.
An Indian Army Training Team conducted a training capsule on unexploded ordnance, mine and improvised explosive devices from 23 February – 11 March, 2011.
The foreign direct investment of India in Laos, Birla Lao Pulp and Plantation, established in June 2006, is committed to investing US$350 million in a eucalyptus pulp and plantation project in Savannakhet province. This is the biggest Indian foreign direct investment in Laos.
The Lao SPG CMC Mining Company Limited, a subsidiary of GIMPEX India, obtained a license for an iron ore mine in 2008, with a commitment to invest US$10 million. This is at Ta En village, Viengsay district, Houaphan province.
The HSMM Group has invested US$13.8 million in agar-wood plantations and two factories in Saysom boun district, Vientiane province.
It has a US$800,000 iron ore mine in Sekong province in partnership with Mineral Enterprises Limited, and a US$100,000 iron ore in Khammouane province.
