Beijing, China, April 04, 2019

AIIB Approves First Project in Lao PDR

The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank’s (AIIB) Board of Directors has approved a loan of USD40 million to improve a critical section of National Road 13 in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR). This is AIIB’s first approved project in Lao PDR and it will directly benefit over half a million people.

58 kilometers of road will be rehabilitated in order to improve functionality, safety and climate resilience. Of the main beneficiaries, over 239,000 are women, living in 471 villages and 11 districts in Vientiane Capital and Vientiane Province. The project will also benefit individuals and commercial road users who need to travel to and from the eight northern provinces of Lao PDR, as well as to Viet Nam, Thailand and China.

“For our first investment in Lao PDR we chose a project that will have both local and regional impacts,” said AIIB Vice President and Chief Investment Officer D.J. Pandian. “This investment will improve one of the most vital transport routes in the country. The updates to the road will enable quicker and safer transportation of goods and people, which will promote socio-economic development within the country and improve connectivity with its neighbors.”

The National Road 13 Improvement Plan and Maintenance Project is the first project submitted to AIIB’s Board of Directors for review that benefited from a grant from AIIB’s Project Preparation Special Fund. The USD995,000 grant supported preparatory consultancy services that included preparation of a resettlement action plan to ensure implementation readiness and conceptual design of the south section of National Road 13.

“By working to bring National Road 13 up to the ASEAN road standard, we are helping to increase its sustainability, as damage from heavy vehicles will be reduced,” said AIIB Director General Supee Teravaninthorn. “To help ensure that Lao PDR can maintain National Road 13 for the long-term, AIIB’s investment will support construction that will reduce future maintenance costs and extend the project’s life cycle.”

The National Road 13 Improvement Plan and Maintenance Project is jointly cofinanced with the World Bank and the Nordic Development Fund.

Additional information about the project can be found here.

About AIIB

The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) is a multilateral development bank with a mission to improve social and economic outcomes in Asia. Headquartered in Beijing, we began operations in January 2016 and have now grown to 93 approved members worldwide. By investing in sustainable infrastructure and other productive sectors in Asia and beyond, we will better connect people, services and markets that over time will impact the lives of billions and build a better future.

Logos for Download

AIIB logo is available in JPEG and PDF format.

DOWNLOAD

Media Contact

Lingxiao He

Press Officer

+86 10 8358 0683

SEND AN EMAIL
More News Articles

Beijing, July 24, 2025

AIIB and BTG Pactual Sign USD160-Million Facility to Expand Climate Infrastructure in Brazil

The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) and BTG Pactual have signed a seven-year, USD160-million on-lending facility to enable BTG Pactual to finance climate-aligned infrastructure in Brazil. It marks AIIB’s largest private-sector transaction in Brazil to date and its first collaboration with BTG Pactual, Latin America’s largest investment bank.

READ MORE

Beijing, July 16, 2025

AIIB Extends USD100 Million Facility to VPBank to Drive Climate Finance and Infrastructure Growth in Viet Nam

The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) and Viet Nam Prosperity Joint Stock Commercial Bank (VPBank) have signed a USD100-million on-lending facility to promote sustainable infrastructure development and support climate mitigation efforts in Viet Nam.

READ MORE

Beijing, July 16, 2025

AIIB, National Bank for Financing Infrastructure and Development Sign Letter of Intent to Accelerate Climate Financing, Sustainable Infrastructure Projects in India

The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) and the National Bank for Financing Infrastructure and Development (NaBFID) signed a letter of intent to foster joint efforts to develop sustainable infrastructure in India, with a strong emphasis on climate adaptation and mitigation. The agreement marks a strategic step toward accelerating sustainable infrastructure development in India.

READ MORE

Beijing, July 11, 2025

AIIB Achieves Record Demand and Broad Investor Participation in Latest Panda Bond

The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB, Aaa/AAA/AAA) has successfully returned to China’s onshore bond market with its first 2-year Panda Bond, raising CNY2 billion and achieving record demand and investor diversification.

READ MORE