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ADB Workshop on GMS Customs Transit System

Opening Remarks by
Gil-Hong Kim
Country Director, Lao Resident Mission
Asian Development Bank

Vientiane, Lao PDR
21 August 2008

Ladies and Gentlemen:

I would like to join Mr. Khounnyvong to welcome all of you to ADB Workshop on GMS Customs Transit System.

This workshop is a follow up on Negotiation Meeting on the Arrangement for Implementation of the GMS Customs Transit System (CTS) along the East-West and North-South corridors held in 29 July to 1 August 2008. The objective of the Workshop is to provide updates and clarifications on the finalized MOU between Customs and Issuing/Guarantee Organizations for the implementation of the Customs Transit System agreed by GMS countries during the negotiation meeting; and discuss the follow up actions by Customs, Issuing/Guarantee Organization, National Transport Facilitation Committee (NTFC) and ADB for Lao PDR's preparation of the operations of the CTS.

Ladies and Gentlemen: As you may recall, in the GMS Summit held in Vientiane in March 2008, the theme is Enhancing Competitiveness through Greater Connectivity. CBTA implementation is one of the highlights of the Business and Investment Dialogue during the Summit. Take this opportunity I would like to congratulate Lao PDR on the good work on the implementation of CBTA. Lao PDR is the first country to ratify all 20 annexes and protocols in the GMS countries. Currently Lao PDR has two borders implementing CBTA.

I hope the workshop will have a good discussion on Lao's preparation of the operational GMS Customs Transit System along the East-West and North-South Corridors. The operation of GMS customs transit system could promote transport and trade facilitation in the region and to promote transform transport corridors into economic corridors. At that time, Lao PDR is not a landlocked country but a land linked country.

Thank you.