Dear Mekong folks,
Two points to note:
1. Laos to chair the upper Mekong navigation coordination committee
2. The third stage of navigation improvement project to start this
month. What's that mean?

Kevin

Upper Mekong navigation forms a good cooperation mechanism
(Source: Yunnan Daily, February 9, 2004)

According to the third meeting on commercial navigation coordination
committee meeting among China, Laos, Myanmar and Thailand held in
Kunming, with the concerted efforts, a good cooperation mechanism in
upper Mekong navigation was already formed. Since then, all sides
will be developed and benefit each other, which results in a win-win
situation.

During the meeting, the representatives from the four countries
reached a conclusion in the past two year's work since the official
inauguration of commercial navigation in June 2001. Under the
friendly atmosphere, all issues including commercial ships entering
ports, tariff standards, the implementation of the third stage
navigation improvement work (Note: what exactly work does this "third
stage" refer to?) and the transportation of LPG were properly
addressed.

The meeting highly acclaimed Chinese representatives as the first
chairperson. With the past two years' effort made by the four
countries, the second stage navigation improvement work was
successfully completed. The amount of goods export and import is
substantially increased, and the order of navigation is good. The
coordination committee is satisfied with their cooperation.

When the meeting finished, the four countries signed agreements on
unified tariff standard and the scheduled third stage work. China
officially transferred the chair to Laos. The third stage work will
start in mid-February. The fourth meeting will be held in March in
Laos.

For the complete Chinese version
http://www.yn.xinhuanet.com/newscenter/2004-02/09/content_1596620.htm

Administrator: Kevin Li (based in Hong Kong)
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