KUALA LUMPUR – After a hiatus of almost 10 years, Kuala Lumpur will resume air links to Vientaine, Laos, in July with low-cost carrier AirAsia providing the connection.
Malaysia Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar revealed this development on conclusion of the third Malaysia-Laos Joint Commission Meeting held here last week.
He said the resumption of direct flights between the two countries was important, as it would help to enhance trade as well as promote tourism between both countries.
“We believe that tourism products of both countries need to be given a further push in promotional efforts,” he told a media conference after co-chairing the JCM with his Laotian counterpart Dr Thongloun Sisoulith.
Malaysia is Laos’ ninth largest trading partner. Trade increased to US$58 million last year from US$19 million in 2005.
Syed Hamid said Malaysia and Laos have agreed to step up cooperation in tourism and Laos had expressed interest in harnessing the Malaysian experience in rubber cultivation.
Laos also wants to set up its embassy in Putrajaya through an exchange of land, whereby Malaysia will build its embassy in Vientiane.
Malaysia Airlines operated direct flights between the two cities from 1996 but cancelled the service in 1998 due to poor passenger load and the Asian financial crisis.
– By Corinne Wan
