A total of 148 hectares of land in part of Salakham marsh in Hadxaifong district, Vientiane, will be converted into a scenic area with comprehensive facilities to attract visitors.
The state owned property has been leased out under a 70 year concession to two companies who will build a recreational area encompassing a guesthouse, restaurant, sports complex, conference rooms, laboratory, organic fruit and vegetable market and other facilities.
Under the concession contract, two local private companies, Mittaphap Development Agriculture and Salakham Water Development will work together with the Planning and Investment Department to develop this area.
Officials signed the concession contract for over US$40 million at a ceremony which took place in Vientiane on Monday, which was overseen by the Director of the Planning and Investment Department Mr Phoukhong Bannavong and the Director of Salakham Water Development Company Ms Kapsone Korasack.
The signing ceremony was witnessed by Vice Vientiane Mayor Mr Saithong Keoduangdy and Hadxaifong district Governor Mr Bountham Phouthavongsa, with senior officials from line ministries and other invited guests in attendance.
Speaking the signing ceremony, the President of Mittaphap Development Agriculture Company Mr Phouvong Korasack said that all of the 148 hectares of land will be developed. Some areas will have various kinds of trees planted on them and a drainage system will be installed.
Other areas will be developed into fish ponds and water reservoirs to facilitate activities for the visitors when they come over, especially for visitors who like fishing and other rela ted activities.
Mr Phouvong explained that the first task the company would undertake is to commence basic development infrastructure, especially in improving road access to link with Thadeua and Dongkhamxang roads.
Work on this project has already begu n and will be divided into four phases, with the project scheduled to be completed by 2025, according to Mr Phouvong.
The first phase of the project is the construction of the 50 m wide and 3,000 m long drainage system, and the organic and general market, which is scheduled to be completed in 2016.
The second phase will begin in 2017 with the improvement of fish ponds, construction of the reservoir and greenhouses for growing organic fruit and vegetables.
The accommodation, guesthouses and restaurants along with the construction of road access is in the third phase and is scheduled to be finished in 2022.
Meanwhile the last phase is the construction of the laboratory, training rooms and other facilities, which will begin after the third phase is complete, with the last phase scheduled for completion in 2025.
The new tourist site is only about 10 km from the central city and will be able to accept over 1,000 visitors a day once it completes.
Mittaphap Development Agriculture Company was established in 2003 and commenced operations in the agriculture farm in 2004 after receiving a land concession for state owned property.
Since then, the company has developed a parcel of land into an agriculture farm called ‘Farm Kapsone’, which includes fish ponds, pig breeding operations and fruit and vegetable crops.
At present, the farm is famous among visitors who like fishing and going on picnics with their families on the weekends.
By Advertorial Desk, Vientianetimes
(Latest Update March 28, 2014)