(KPL) A groundbreaking ceremony was held on Feb 22 for Khaen twin towers of the Sithandone Special Economic Zone in Khong, Champassak, the southernmost province of Laos.

The ceremony was officiated by Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone, Minister of Planning and Investment Khamchen Vongphosy, Governor of Champassak Vilayvong Boutdakham, representatives of the Sithandone Special Economic Zone developers and relevant authorities.

The multi-purpose buildings will be located at Thakho village, around 2 km from well-known Khone Phapheng Waterfall, known locally as li phi.

Designed to have the shape of Khaen, a Lao musical instrument whose music has been recognized as UNESCO’s world intangible cultural heritage, the twin 63-floor towers (248.9 m high each) will house five-star hotels, commercial offices, entertainment and convention facilities, among others.

Two hotels, each has 13 floors (62 m high), in the shape of tip khao, a Lao traditional container used for keeping steamed sticky rice, will be also built in phase one of the Sithandone Special Economic Zone project.

Investors are expected to invest around 130 million US dollars into developing the construction project over the next three years.

“This development project is an activity of the Sithandone Special Economic Zone development plan that we signed with the government in June 2018. The project is located in an area of 9,846 ha whose 50-year concessional period has been divided into six phases,” said Vice Chairman of Shareholders Council of Sithandone Joint Development Co., Ltd Lati Sisouphannavong.

The Sithandone Special Economic Zone has been designed to be a comprehensive, modern and green economic zone to attract domestic and foreign investments.

There are four special economic zones in Champassak. Established in 2018, the Sithandone Special Economic Zone costs 1,330 million US dollars.

Source: KPL Lao News Agency dated 23/02/2023