Railroads connecting VN, Laos and Cambodia not aimed at development of 3 neighboring countries, but aimed at that of "Indochina" (Federation?)

26/06/2007
Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia to be connected by railway

VietNamNet Bridge – The Vietnam Railway Agency is designing a project to build two railways from Vietnam to Laos and Cambodia.

These are projects in the transport and railway development strategy of Vietnam to 2020, which was approved by the Prime Minister, and part of the trans-Asia and ASEAN railway network as well.

The two projects have had feasibility research reports.

The first project is the Saigon – Loc Ninh route to Cambodia, which is 130km in length. The Vietnam Railway Agency and two Chinese partners, the China Mechanical Equipment Import Export Corporation (CMC) and the China Railway Construction Corporation (SRCC), are performing research on this project.

This route will be 1m-wide railroad, with 12 stations, the first is Di An Station in southern Binh Duong Province and the last is the border-gate station of Hoa Lu. The total investment of this project is around VND3,918 billion (US$244.875 million).

The second project is the Vung Ang – Mu Gia (Ha Tinh province) to Laos, with 119km in length, and 1m width. This route will also have 12 stations, seven tunnels, and 24 bridges, totalling VND4,523 billion ($282,687 million) of investment.

According to Nguyen Van Doanh, Vice Head of the Vietnam Railway Agency, when being completed, the projects will open great opportunities for transport and trade cooperation among Indochina countries and to the region. For Vietnam, the projects will help promote economic development of some provinces, especially the Vung Ang port area in Ha Tinh province.

To connect railways, not only does Vietnam have to build railroads, but also Laos and Cambodia have to build railroads to their borders with Vietnam, Mr Doanh said.

After finalising research, the three countries will negotiate about the construction and use of border-gate stations.

Source: TBKTVN

2,000 Cambodian workers in South Korea

Tuesday, June 19, 2007
Everyday.com.kh
Translated from Khmer by Heng Soy

SRP MP Keo Remy said during an interview on 18 June that South Korea had accepted 2,000 Cambodian workers up until now. Following his recent visit to South Korea, Keo Remy said that Cambodian workers in South Korea have not met major problems based on his meeting with them. Keo Remy said that up to now, 2,000 Cambodia workers are providing their labors in South Korea. He added that South Korea is also interested in Cambodia railways system for transporting goods from rural areas to the capital, and that South Korea will participate in the repair of Cambodia’s decrepit railways system. Keo Remy said that following the visit, Nhem Vanda, the delegation leader, will send over all the issues to Prime Minister Hun Sen for his review.