The Mai Dong Water Company, a major producer of water pipes in Vietnam and the Vientiane Water Supply Company of Laos have agreed to set up a 5 million USD join venture for the construction of a water supply and treatment facility.
The joint venture, which will be valid for 30 years, is aimed at meeting the increasing demand for clean water during Laos’ traditional New Year (Bun Pi Mai) festival, which falls on April 14-16, alongside dealing with a shortfall in daily water supply in the Lao capital of Vientiane.
Under the agreement, the Vietnamese company will hold an 80 percent share and the rest will be owned by the Lao company.
Daophet Buapha, director of the Vientiane Water Supply Company, said water is in short supply in Vientiane, especially at a time when the water level of the Mekong river decreases to a record low, saying that his company currently supplies about 160,000 cubic metres of water per day, while the daily demand in the capital city is more than 200,000 cubic metres./.