Accommodation for ASEM Meeting delegates completes 62%

Accommodation for Asia-Europe Meeting delegates on track

The construction of 50 villas to accommodate heads of state and government attending the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) Summit in Vientiane next year is now 62 percent complete.

Building work started in August this year and is set for completion in August next year, ahead of the ASEM Summit in November.

Minister and Head of the Government Office Dr Sinlavong Khoutphaythoune, Minister of Science and Technology Prof. Dr Boviengkham Vongdara and other high-ranking officials yesterday visited the project site at Don Chan Island.

Managing Director of the CAMCE Investment (Lao) Company Mr Yao Jian reported on progress to date, telling the ministers the villas will be finished as scheduled despite the limited timeframe.

CAMCE is a joint venture between Lao and Chinese companies created with the purpose of transforming Don Chan Island into a modern urban area in central Vientiane.

The 50 two-storey villas will be built on an area of 8.1 hectares and are expected to cost no more than US$2 million each to build, Mr Yao said.

The job includes site levelling and installation of first floor beams and slabs, and fitting structural parts of the villas.

The company aims to have the villas built by February 2012, with landscaping to be finished by June, and interior decoration done by July 15, 2012.

Some 457 labourers and technicians are working on the project, of which 265 are Chinese, 119 are Lao and 73 are of other nationalities.

Lao authorities are committed to helping the company overcome any barriers that might delay the progress of the project.

CAMCE has given US$3 million to the government to compensate the more than 100 villagers who were displaced by the project.

The ASEM Summit will be the largest event ever to be held in Laos and the government places great importance on hosting the meeting.

The government granted approval for CAMCE to develop 25 hectares of Don Chan Island with a concession period of 50 years, which can be extended for another 40 years.

The whole project is divided into three phases, with total construction costs set at about US$180 million.

The first phase will include construction of 50 villas and other facilities required for the summit.

The second phase will include construction of a community consisting of rental houses, hotel, hospital, school, restaurants and public areas. This phase will run from 2013 to 2017.

The third phase will include the construction of a commercial centre, offices and residential houses. This phase of the project will run from 2017 to 2021.

Dr Sinlavong and Dr Boviengkham also visited the construction site of the Lao International Convention Centre and other projects underway for the ASEM Summit.

Vientianetimes