A $5 million loan for the Laos–Thailand border high speed railway project has been approved. New Zealand-based financial institution Rich Banco Berhad approved the loan in the first week of April 2013. Construction work will be undertaken by Malaysia-based Giant Consolidated Limited. The 220 km rail line will connect southern Laos (Thailand border) to the Vietnamese border. The contractor is currently conducting studies; environmental clearance has not been obtained as yet.
