Asean
ASEAN Corner : New Bus Route Linking Thailand and Laos
With the ASEAN Economic Community AEC on the horizon, Thailand and Lao PDR have jointly opened a new bus route, linking both countries.The two countries have already opened four bridges along their transportation routes.

With the ASEAN Economic Community AEC on the horizon, Thailand and Lao PDR have jointly opened a new bus route, linking both countries.The two countries have already opened four bridges along their transportation routes.
The new bus route offers a new way of traveling to some of the most fascinating destinations in Southeast Asia.It was launched by Thailand’s Transport Company and Lao PDR’s Naluang Company in January 2014, from Loei in northeastern Thailand to Sainyabuli and Luang Prabang in Laos. The route covers a distance of about 395 km, and the trip takes about nine hours.
According to the Tourism Authority of Thailand, a one-way trip between Loei and Luang Prabang costs 700 baht, or 175,000 Lao kip, and a one-way trip between Loei and Sainyabuli is priced at 500 baht, or 125,000 kip.
About 520 kilometers from Bangkok, Loei offers unique natural beauty and has many high hills and mountains. Its tourist spots in the highlands are well worth exploring, especially during the cool season. Sainyabuli is a mountainous province and home to domesticated elephants. Luang Prabang is classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its outstanding cultural, historic, and architectural values.
By linking these historic and picturesque regions, tourists and travelers will have a new, affordable way of exploring some of ASEAN’s cultural gems.The Governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand, Mr. Thawatchai Arunyik, said,
“This bus route will provide seamless border travel and enhance trade and transportation between the people of Thailand and the citizens of Lao PDR. It will also give international tourists more options for travelling by providing a new border crossing between the two nations.”
There are currently various ways that travelers can pass between Thailand and Lao PDR, including by plane from Bangkok or Sukhothai in Thailand to Vientiane, Luang Prabang, Savannakhet or Pakse in Lao PDR.
Travelers coming by car or bus can use any of the four Thai-Lao Friendship Bridges across the Mekong River to go through border checkpoints. The First Friendship Bridge links Nong Khai in northeastern Thailand with the Lao capital of Vientiane. The Second Friendship Bridge links Mukdahan, also in northeastern Thailand, with the central Lao province of Savannakhet.
via ASEAN Corner — Opening of New Bus Route Linking Thailand and Laos in Preparation for AEC.
Asean
Road freight in ASEAN: New Covid-19 Response and Recovery Guidelines
The guidelines will support Member States to develop national and regional plans that focus on resilient and sustainable road freight connectivity

JAKARTA, 18 February 2021 – ASEAN Member States will have new tools to help them address issues related to road freight transport caused by the COVID-19 pandemic as part of the initiatives under the ASEAN Comprehensive Recovery Framework. ASEAN has approved guidelines to support the response and recovery of road freight transport among its Member States in the context of the pandemic.
(more…)Vietnam
Vietnam Import-export value surpasses 74 billion USD since 2021’s beginning

Vietnam’s import-export turnover posted a year-on-year rise of 31 percent to reach 74.51 billion USD from the beginning of 2021 to February 16.
In the reviewed period, Vietnam enjoyed a trade surplus of 2.63 billion USD, according to the Vietnam Customs.
During the Tet (Lunar New Year) holiday 2021 from February 10-16, a total of 960 firms conducted import-export activities, up 363 against the Tet holiday 2020.
A total of 10,300 customs declaration forms were filled out, up 59 percent against the previous holiday.
Meanwhile, the import-export value hit 1.67 percent, a year-on-year increase of 53 percent.
Main exports included mobile phones and spare parts, computers, electronics and components./.
VNA
Asean
Canada, Indonesia Trade Talks Begin for Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement
The CEPA would benefit Canadian exporters and importers as it will improve access to ASEAN’s largest economy and the world’s fourth most populous country.

On January 11, 2021, Canada’s Minister of Small Business, Export Promotion, and International Trade, Mary Ng, announced that the country has launched public consultations on a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with Indonesia.
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