Sophallet said Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen and his Laos PDR counterpart Thongloun Sisoulith made the agreement on Monday morning during talks held at the Peace Palace in Phnom Penh. This is the Lao PM’s first visit Cambodia after being elected premier.

The discussion, however, did not specify the location of the border gate. On the other hand, they are also set to open consulate offices in their respective countries soon.

Sophallet said both leaders expressed optimism that the new border gate and the consulate offices will boost trade ties.

Laos is expected to open its consulate in Stung Treng in northeast Cambodia on June 30, while Cambodia will launch its consulate in Champasak province, southwestern Laos, on July 1.

At present, there are nine Cambodian firms that invested about US$80 million in Laos.

Last year, bilateral trade between the two countries reached $20 million, while Cambodia attracted an estimated 460,000 visitors from Laos.