Lao Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry is hoping to make use of the China-Laos Railway, to bolster the export of agricultural produce.

The Lao Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry is advising agriculture authorities to improve the quality and yields of nine crops so they can be sold to China after the government signed a cooperation agreement with Chinese companies in May 2021, local daily Vientiane Times reported oWednesday.

The agreements involve 100,000 tons of peanuts, 100,000 tons of cassava, 100,000 tons of frozen and dried beef, 200,000 tons of cashew nuts, 50,000 tons of durian, 100,000 tons of bananas, 100,000 tons of mangoes, 200,000 tons of soybeans and 500,000 tons of sugar, according to the report.

These crops will be sold to China, the largest market for all Lao exports, over five years from 2021 to 2026.

From 2015-2019, the value of Lao exports to China increased by more than 100 million U.S. dollars a year, said the report.

In a bid to increase exports, the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry will coordinate with the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, the National Chamber of Commerce and Industry and entrepreneurs to actively work with China to draw up lists of agricultural products for sale and specify the necessary sanitary and phytosanitary procedures.

The ministry will also work with China to conduct inspections at international and local border crossings to ensure the prompt movement of farm products, especially fresh produce.

When the China-Laos Railway becomes operational in December, it will be the main link between the two countries, which is expected to improve trade links and support Laos' strategy to benefit from its landlocked status and become a land link.