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Countries Bordering Mekong River Stepping Up Regional Cooperation

MANILA, PHILIPPINES (22 November 2001) - Ministers of six countries bordering the Mekong River will gather in Yangon, Myanmar on 29 November to discuss further ways to step up cooperation.

The ministers - from Cambodia, the Lao People's Democratic Republic, Myanmar, Thailand, the People's Republic of China (Yunnan Province) and Viet Nam - have responsibility for the Asian Development Bank (ADB)-assisted Regional Economic Cooperation Program of the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS). In Yangon, they will discuss a new cooperation strategy covering the next ten years.

"Adopting a new strategy for cooperation is a positive step to boosting cross-border trade and investment, and thereby expediting economic integration in the Mekong countries," says Toru Tatara, Head of the ADB's GMS unit.

With ADB assistance, the six GMS countries first entered into a program of economic cooperation in 1992. The program has helped build trust and confidence through conferences and joint initiatives, and led to a series of infrastructure projects and other activities. To date, the program has involved ten projects, with investments totaling about US$2 billion. It also addresses the environment, and social issues such as HIV/AIDs and drug trafficking.

During the forthcoming ministerial meeting, four countries - Cambodia, Lao PDR, Thailand and Viet Nam - are expected to sign a landmark cross-border agreement to facilitate the flow of people and goods. With PRC and Myanmar also expected to sign in the near future, the agreement could well lead to expanded trade among the signatories, as well as with the rest of the world.

The agreement will simplify and harmonize legislation, regulations and procedures relating to cross-border transport. In addition, it will combine border controls to facilitate speedy joint inspections.

Principal speakers at the conference will include David Abel, Minister, Office of the State Peace and Development Council, Myanmar; Cham Prasidh, Minister of Commerce, Cambodia; Somphong Monhkhonvilay, Minister to the Prime Minister's Office, Lao PDR; Chaturon Chaisang, Minster to the Prime Minister's Office, Thailand; and Myoung-Ho Shin, ADB Vice-President. Lieutenant-General Khin Nyunt, Secretary-1, State Peace and Development Council, Myanmar will make the opening remarks.

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