SBR- Content.pmd - INBO

11 - Trade and transportTrade and transport 11In the Lower Mekong Basin, watertransport has traditionally been theprincipal means of travel for much of thepopulation. Locating their communitieson or near waterways has providedcommunities not only with an abundanceof fish and fertile sediments foragriculture, it has also enabled them totrade with neighbouring communities upand down the river.Not only is waterway transport importantfor people living near rivers and streamsin the basin, it is also becomingincreasingly important for internationaltrade. Although the 15 m high Khone FallsMore than one third of the people living along the Mekongin Cambodia and Lao PDR live ten kilometres or morefrom a year-round roadon the border between Lao PDR and Cambodia prevents boats from passing, above and below thefalls, boats are used to transport both people and goods for hundreds of kilometres. As the economiesof the LMB countries grow, not only will river trade between them increase, but shipping beyondthe Lower Basin will grow as well.Waterway transport has much to offer local communities living along the river, governments andthose involved in large-scale trade and transportation. River transport can move people and cargo atcosts that are lower than road and air transport and river facilities are less expensive to build andmaintain than road and rail networks. If proper precautions are taken to protect the environment,river transport can be more environmentally-friendly than other forms of transport, both in terms ofless intrusive infrastructure and with regards to fuel economy, which in turn results in less airpollution.Although the advantages of river transportare numerous, government polices, plans,and spending priorities continue topromote road, rail and air transport overinland water transport (IWT). This is astrue in the Lower Mekong Basin, as it iselsewhere in the world.River transport can move cargo and peoplefor lower costs than road or air transport217