KPL
The Government of Japan has handed over bridge and road maintenance equipment and heavy machinery worth more than 955 million yen to the Lao Ministry of Public Works and Transport (MPWT) to strengthen the country's capacity to repair and maintain its road infrastructure.
(KPL) The handover ceremony was held on November 9, 2026, at Road Construction State Enterprise No. 8 in Vientiane under Japan's Economic and Social Development Programme. The event was attended by MPWT Minister Leklay Sivilay, Japanese Ambassador to Laos Koizumi Tsutomu, former National Assembly Vice President and former MPWT Minister Sommat Pholsena, and other invited guests.
Ambassador Koizumi said the assistance continues a project launched in the previous year and aims to help Laos address long-term road maintenance challenges while supporting economic development.
Minister Leklay said the total value of Japan's assistance under the current project amounts to 1.7 billion yen, with more than 955 million yen delivered in this phase and the remaining assistance to be provided in subsequent phases.
He recalled that an earlier 1.5-billion-yen assistance programme had supported the repair and restoration of roads damaged by natural disasters across the country.
Laos has faced repeated damage to its road network from floods and other natural disasters, disrupting travel, goods transportation and economic activities. The latest assistance will provide modern equipment and machinery to help the country repair and maintain damaged roads more efficiently, using faster and more environmentally friendly methods.
The equipment is expected to improve the quality and efficiency of maintenance work, ensure smoother traffic along national highways, strengthen transport links with neighbouring countries and support tourism and regional connectivity. It will also help improve people's access to markets, services and economic opportunities.
On behalf of the Lao Government, Minister Leklay expressed gratitude to the Government and people of Japan, the Japanese Embassy and Ambassador Koizumi for their continued support.
He formally handed over the equipment to Road Construction State Enterprise No. 8, the Transport Construction State Enterprise and the Vientiane Vehicle and Driving Management Center.
The recipient organisations will use the machinery for road and bridge construction, improvement and maintenance, while also strengthening the technical skills of drivers and equipment operators. The initiative is expected to enhance the capacity of state-owned enterprises and support the development of a stronger national road maintenance system.
Speaking on behalf of the recipient organisations, Director of Road Construction State Enterprise No. 8 Phoupheuan Sengphachanh expressed appreciation for Japan's assistance.
KPL
