Greater Mekong Subregion

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The GMS Program

Since 1992, the countries of the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) have embarked on a program of economic cooperation (the GMS Program) that aims to promote development through closer economic linkages.

The GMS Program, with support from ADB and other donors, helps the implementation of high priority subregional projects in transport, energy, telecommunications, environment, human resource development, tourism, trade, private sector investment, and agriculture.

Substantial progress has been achieved in terms of implementing GMS projects since 1992. Priority infrastructure projects worth nearly US$10 billion have either been completed or are being implemented. Among these are the upgrading of the Phnom Penh (Cambodia)-Ho Chi Minh City (Viet Nam) highway and the East-West Economic Corridor that will eventually extend from the Andaman Sea to Da Nang. A significant amount of resources has been mobilized for the GMS Program.

As of end of December 2007, the 34 GMS projects cost an estimated US$9.9 billion of which ADB has