Background
Cross-border transport and cold-chain logistics form an integrated set of operations that move temperature-sensitive agricultural and food products from origin warehouses through refrigerated vehicles and border checkpoints to regional markets. Cross-border cold-chain logistics maintain temperature-controlled handling from origin warehouses through refrigerated transport and border checkpoints to protect perishable goods during regional transit.
The Ministry of Public Works and Transport is responsible for planning and coordinating national transport infrastructure and works with customs and provincial administrations at international checkpoints. Multilateral cooperation funds are used to finance multi-country capacity-building and institutional strengthening projects that involve national ministries, provincial administrations and implementing partners.
Key Developments
On 5 June 2026 MPWT hosted the kick-off workshop for the project titled “Capacity-building and Institutional Strengthening for Cross-Border Transport and Cold-Chain Logistics in the Mekong Countries.” The event was co-led by MPWT project lead H.E. Hout Lida and Madhurjya Kumar Dutta, Project Director from the Mekong Institute, and included representatives from Cambodia’s General Department of Logistics, the Ministries of Transport of Vietnam and Laos, provincial administrations of Kratie and Stung Treng, and officials from the Trapaing Sre and Trapaing Kriel international border checkpoints.
The workshop formally announced the project team composition, reviewed the work plan and expected outputs, clarified implementation procedures, and established a Project Advisory Committee for ongoing oversight. The project was selected by the Republic of Korea under the Mekong–Korea Cooperation Fund and will be implemented by Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam.
Institutional Role
MPWT serves as the national lead agency responsible for coordinating infrastructure planning and engagement with provincial authorities and international partners for the project. The Mekong Institute acts as an implementing partner and project manager, while participating countries contribute through their transport ministries, customs authorities and provincial administrations at border crossings.
Operational Implications
Project activities include capacity-building workshops, formation of a Project Advisory Committee, and coordinated planning for cross-border cold-chain operations and procedures. The project documentation and advisory structure establish the project governance framework for implementation across the three participating countries.
Source
Official MPWT announcement: https://www.facebook.com/mpwt.gov.kh/posts/pfbid03GBHSa88TgATWXxqdJtX9djDkWXuE2nXiwd81Ed3kqHvVhnfo1NDxa78mAqmQxrwl
