Thailand Resident Mission

Support to Trade Facilitation and Capacity Building in the GMS

The countries in the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) are committed to more closely linking markets and people, while simultaneously pursuing greater integration into the global economy. The resulting increase in connectivity—through transport linkages and infrastructure—has highlighted the importance of complementary measures related to policies and institutions, including trade facilitation, a key element to spur investment and economic growth in the subregion. At the request of the GMS countries, the Strategic Framework for Action on Trade Facilitation and Investment in the GMS (SFA-TFI) was endorsed at the Second GMS Summit, held on 5 July 2005 in Kunming, Yunnan Province, People's Republic of China.

ADB's technical assistance project in the GMS has two parts. Part 1 supports the implementation of SFA-TFI. Part 2 involves capacity building for trade policies and training to GMS country participants. The International Institute for Trade and Development (ITD) will help develop trade modules on trade in goods, services and investment, and World Trade Organization (WTO) trade law—all backed up by case studies involving the GMS countries.

Since the project approval in late July 2006, substantial steps under Part 1 have been undertaken, such as preparation of a comprehensive gap analysis on customs procedures, sanitary and phyto-sanitary measures, inspection, and quarantine; situation analysis on trade logistics development in the GMS countries; and efforts on the possible creation of the GMS business visa. The gap analysis was discussed at the regional meeting of the GMS trade facilitation working group held in Bangkok on 16–17 May. Field work in individual GMS countries is ongoing.

For Part 2, progress has been made in developing three trade modules. The module on WTO trade law and practices has largely been completed. The first trial training was held at ITD on 7–9 May, focusing on the WTO rules on anti-dumping, countervailing duties and safeguards, and interactive discussion on case studies. The second training is scheduled on 9–12 July. Considering participants' feedback on the first training, the second training will present improved case studies and add simulation exercises. Analytical work on the development of trade modules on services and investment and trade in goods are in progress.