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Countries Bordering Mekong River Adopt New 10-Year Strategy

YANGON, MYANMAR (29 November 2001) - In the first ministerial meeting ever held in Myanmar, ministers of six countries bordering the Mekong River today adopted a new strategy for the next ten years to strengthen regional cooperation.

"GMS (Greater Mekong Subregion) countries envision a Mekong subregion that is more integrated, prosperous, and equitable," said the ministers in a joint statement concluding the 10th Ministerial Conference of the GMS Economic Cooperation Program.

The Conference was attended by the ministers - from Cambodia, the Lao People's Democratic Republic, Myanmar, Thailand, the People's Republic of China (Yunnan Province) and Viet Nam - responsible for the program assisted by the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

"The 11 September terrorist attacks have worsened an already weak world economic outlook, causing downward revisions to growth forecasts - including those in this region. In this context, it is even more important that GMS countries work together so as to benefit from each other's strengths," said ADB Vice President Myoung-Ho Shin.

Four GMS countries - Cambodia, Lao PDR, Thailand and Viet Nam - signed a landmark Cross-border Agreement to facilitate the flow of people and goods. PRC and Myanmar are expected to join the agreement in the near future. The agreement simplifies and harmonizes legislation, regulations and procedures relating to cross-border transport to facilitate speedy joint inspections.

The ministers noted that the agreement would be a vital complement to free trade among the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and PRC. It will maximize the benefits of major road projects linking north to south and west to east.

The GMS Program started in 1992 with ADB assistance. The program has helped build trust and confidence through conferences and joint initiatives, and led to a series of infrastructure projects and other activities. So far, it has assisted ten projects, with investments totaling about US$2 billion. It also has addressed the environment, and social issues such as HIV/AIDS and drug trafficking.

"The spirit of cooperation and determination to resolve obstacles for development with the joint effort was firmly established," said Khin Nyunt, Secretary-1 of the State Peace and Development Council in his address to the conference.

Under the new strategy, the GMS countries will cooperate further to realize the potential of the subregion through (1) an enabling policy environment and effective infrastructure linkages that will facilitate cross-border trade, investment, tourism and other forms of economic cooperation, and (2) developing human resources and skills competencies.

The strategy also called for GMS efforts to ensure that development process is equitable and sustainable, and environment and social interests will be fully respected in the formulation and implementation of the GMS Program. The ministers also agreed to strengthen their national institutional setup to coordinate the implementation of the program.

The strategy included a detailed action plan for the next three years, involving ten flagship projects which require more than US$900 million in investment financing and US$30 million in technical assistance. ADB will help the GMS Program with resource mobilization by organizing a GMS Donors Coordination Meeting and encouraging more private sector participation.

The projects identified under the action plan are North South Economic Corridor, East West Economic Corridor, Southern Economic Corridor, Telecommunications Backbone, Regional Power Interconnection and Trading Arrangement, Facilitating Cross-border Trade and Investment, Enhancing Private Sector Participation and Competitiveness, Developing Human Resources and Skills Competencies, Strategic Environment Framework, and Flood Control and Water Resources Management.

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