Japan Increases Grant Aid for Wattay International Airport Upgrade

Vientiane: Japan has committed to providing additional grant aid to support the ongoing upgrade of Wattay International Airport in Laos. The formalization of this increased funding took place on August 20, marked by an amended grant aid agreement signed at the Ministry of Finance in Vientiane. Representing the Lao government was Mr. Vongkhamheng Vongthachak, Director General of the Department of International Cooperation and Finance, while Ms. Miyako Kobayashi, Chief Representative of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Laos Office, signed on behalf of Japan. According to Lao News Agency, the project is a critical component of Laos' efforts to modernize its primary international gateway and enhance regional connectivity. This initiative aligns with the nation's infrastructure priorities detailed in the 10th Five-Year National Socio-Economic Development Plan, spanning from 2026 to 2030. Initially launched in 2024 with a grant of ¥2.836 billion, the project has been allocated additional funds to address the escalating construction and procurement costs. This financial top-up is crucial to ensuring that the airport upgrade progresses on schedule and adheres to all original design standards.