- MOU signed at ROK-ASEAN Special Summit (26 Nov, Tue)

The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries (MOF; Minister MOON, Seong-Hyeok) announced that it signed “Korea-Laos MOU on Port-MIS cooperation” on 26 November(Tue), on the margins of ROK-ASEAN Commemorative Summit.

 * Port-MIS: Port Management Information System

Since October 2018, MOF has been conducting research for Laos on “Establishing Basic Plan for National Logistics Transportation System”, which includes ways utilizing Mekong River in order to facilitate Laos’ inland waterways transportation. In the process, Laos requested MOF for an “MOU for digitalization of port entry/departure information on Mekong River”, as part of its effort to improve national logistics system.

 * ① Establishing inland waterways transportation strategies

    ② Establishing Reponse Measures for Riverbank Erosion

    ③ Base Data study for digitization of port entry/departure information (statistics, status etc.)

Being the only land-locked country in the Indochinese peninsula, Laos is trying to overcome the limits of land-based transportation by developing River Port through utilizing Mekong River. Also, Laos is planning on building a modern inland water transport system by digitization using Korean IT technologies.

The MOU was signed by and between MOF Minister MOON Seong-Hyeok and Laos Minister of Public Works and Transport Bounchanh SINTHAVONG, during the Korea-Laos summit meeting in the presence of both countries’ summits. The main points of the MOU include setting up Port-MIS establishment, management, operation plans; financing methods; and knowledge-sharing/education and training.

Minister MOON, Seong-Hyeok expressed delight in that “Korea could play a leading role in developing inland port in Laos. I hope that this MOU could serve as an opportunity to strengthen bilateral port(digitization) cooperation and friendly relationship in general.”