Briefs

The Lao government is seeking investors to bankroll construction of the planned Vientiane-Pakxe expressway to link the country’s capital with Pakxe, the capital of the southernmost province of Champassak.
The Ministry of Planning and Investment recently issued an announcement asking local and foreign companies and investors to apply to participate in the mega project, which would be financed and developed under a build-operate-transfer model.
The new highway would accommodate the growing transport needs between the central and southern regions, which now rely solely on Road 13 South.
If realised, the project would boost economic growth in Laos, which already has one of the fastest growing economies in the region. 
The planned expressway would save time and offer a much more convenient route.
The proposed expressway is estimated to be about 585 km, against more than 700 km from Vientiane to Pakxe on Road 13 South, the project's coordinator from the Ministry of Public Works and Transport told the Vientiane Times yesterday.
The new highway would be 23 metres wide and comprising four lanes. The road should meet Asean expressway standard Class 1 and be able to accommodate loads of not less than 11 tonnes per axle, according to the announcement. 
The coordinator, who wished to remain unnamed, said the narrow Road 13 South cannot be widened as it cuts through many communities. However, Road 13 South would continue to be used as an alternative. 
The expressway, which is set to include bridges and tunnels, will pass through a new corridor and avoid residential areas to minimise impact.
Expressions of interest can be submitted until February 14. — Vientiane Times 

Uber to work with rental car
cooperatives in Bali expansion 
Uber Indonesia will expand its business to Bali in cooperation with local rental car cooperatives, said John Colombo, Uber’s public policy and government affairs head for Indonesia.
He said representatives of his company had discussed the expansion plan with the Bali Transportation Agency.
UberTrip, which is scheduled to begin operations in November, will serve tourists visiting all corners of the island, Colombo said, as reported by tempo.co, adding that the Bali administration had welcomed the plan.
“The request for expansion came from domestic tourists,” Colombo said in Jakarta.
Meanwhile, Uber Indonesia communications head Dian Safitri said high demand for ride-hailing apps in major Indonesian tourist destinations had encouraged Uber to open a rental car business.
“Our partners are members of rental business cooperatives, so there will be no problem with licensing,” Dian added.
Rental fees are estimated at 300,000 rupiah (Bt786) for five hours. “It is cheaper than the average rental fees in Bali of Rp 400,000 [per five hours],” Dian said.
— The Jakarta Post 

Vietnam reaches out to South
Africa for closer business ties 
Vietnam hopes to increase exchanges of economic information with South Africa and enhance connectivity between businesses of the two countries, the Vietnamese ambassador to South Africa has said.
Ambassador Vu Van Dung held a meeting with leaders of South Africa’s Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry on Monday to discuss issues related to cooperation between Vietnam and South Africa as well as between the embassy and business chamber. 
The Vietnamese diplomat believed Vietnam and South Africa held great potential for stronger trade cooperation, with two-way trade reaching only US$1.2 billion in 2016. 
Vietnam will host APEC Year 2017, with some 200 activities, and APEC High-Level Week at the end of the year, which is a good opportunity for enterprises from South Africa to reinforce connections with their partners in the Asia-Pacific region, he said. 
Dao Manh Duc, head of the Vietnamese embassy’s office for trade affairs, said although Vietnamese products are suitable for the South African market, they are not as popular among South African consumers and businesses due to inadequate business exchange channels. 
South Africa’s main products, such as beef, fruits, wine and mineral products, have yet to successfully marketed in Vietnam, he said. — Viet Nam News