By the end of the month the centre is expected to produce 50,000 meals per day out of a capacity of 85,000 sets, according to airline official Pissamai Chantharubeksa.

The catering centre has signed contracts with 50 airlines and hopes to attract in more.

- The Nation.

Logistics in Laos

Malaysia-based CCI Logistics Sdn Bhd is keen to help Laos develop its logistics infrastructure by setting up a hub, possibly in Thailand, to facilitate documentation on merchandise trade and services to and from the land-locked country.

Encik Zahrol Ahmad, CCI's director, told Bernama news agency this would mean all shipments to Laos go through Thailand for proper documentation check up and cargo handling.

He said although Laos was also bordered by Vietnam, setting up a logistics hub in Haiphong Port in Vietnam was not feasible because labour and transportation costs were high.

In contrast, besides reasonable labour costs, Thailand has proper infrastructure as well as a good distribution system, he said.

CCI Logistics handles sea and air shipments and has registered with Malaysian ministry of finance in order to handle government business there. - The Nation.