Lao Deputy Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith has expressed hope that Vietnamese businesses will join with Laos in building the hydroelectric power project, Sekaman 3.

Deputy Prime Minister Thongloun was talking with leaders of the Song Da Corporation under the Construction Ministry, when he was in Vietnam for a mid-term meeting of the Vietnam-Laos Inter-governmental Committee.

The Song Da Corp., and other Vietnamese businesses, involvement in the power plant’s construction would make an important contribution to Laos’ socio-economic development, thus strengthening the traditional friendship and cooperation between the two countries, he said.

The construction of the Sekaman 300 MW power plant will start in March next year and is estimated to cost US$325 million. The Vietnam-Laos joint stock power development investment company is the main investor.

The project is expected to be completed by 2008.