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Terms of Reference
Background
- The Fifth Ministerial Conference held in Manila on 9-10 November 1995 stated its interest "…to involve private sector organizations - chambers of commerce of their equivalent - in subregional cooperation program". As a response, the ADB agreed as a preliminary step to "…explore mechanisms for increasing cooperation among these chambers and inform the Investment Working Group in December 1995."
- The Inception Meeting of the Subregional Investment Working Group held in Bangkok, Thailand on 18-19 December 1995 included a "Preliminary Note on Enhancing the Involvement of Private Sector Organizations (e.g. Chambers of Commerce) in the Process of Economic Cooperation in the Greater Mekong Subregion", prepared by the ADB Secretariat for the Meeting.
- ESCAP organized a Meeting of the Chambers of Commerce and Industry of the Greater Mekong Subregion in Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam, on 15-16 September 1996, as a follow up to a study undertaken for the Private Sector Advisory Group under the Forum for the Comprehensive Development of Indo-China.
- The Seventh Ministerial Conference included a "GMS Coordination Meeting with the Private Sector", with a focus on defining private sector participation in meetings of the GMS Forums and Working Groups and the establishment of the GMS Business Forum. The Ninth GMS Ministerial Meeting requested that the Inception Meeting of the GMS Business Forum be expedited.
- The GMS Business Associations developed and endorsed in principle, the Bangkok Blueprint for Business Sector Development in the GMS during the GMS Business Sector Meeting held in Bangkok on 9 February 2000.
Rationale
- The key role of the private sector in the implementation of priority subregional projects in the GMS Economic Cooperation Programme, and more generally, in the development of the subregion, is recognized by the participating countries. Consistent with this, a number of meetings have been held to date with the investment community to familiarize them with developments under the GMS Programme (e.g. in Japan, Korea, Thailand, Belgium, Germany, and with the World Economic Forum).
- Given the focus on implementation and resource mobilization in present phase of the GMS Economic Cooperation Programme, a more extensive continuing involvement of the business community in the Programme is increasingly important.
- Recognizing that the indigenous private sector in most GMS countries is still in the early stage of development, increased attention to their capacity building would be important in the implementation and operationalization of the Programme.
Main Objectives
The objectives of the GMS Business Forum include:
- To assist in strengthening the indigenous private sectors in the participating countries to support the subregional development process and represent members in GMS sector groups;
- To assist in developing a network of private sector institutions (both domestic and foreign) in the GMS in order to encourage investment (trade) and cooperation in subregional projects and initiatives, and related activities;
- To provide a direct and regular channel for the private sector to communicate with the participating governments in the GMS Economic Cooperation Programme on broad issues related to subregional cooperation, as well as specific projects and initiatives; and
- Through regular input from the participating network of private sector institutions, provide an additional means for ensuring coordination and cooperation among the countries of the subregion on all aspects of economic cooperation, especially as related to the role of the private sector.
- Too strengthen the GMS private sector through a range of activities covering for example training, management, institutional twining, technology transfer, information dissemination, organizing seminars, exhibitions and trade fairs.
- To assist in developing and upgrading certifying documentation, quality standards and reciprocity of recognition of certification in GMS countries.
Tasks and Work Program
- The GMS Business Forum will determine its own work program and schedule. In formulating and implementing its work program, the Forum will take into account existing subregional private sector arrangements (e.g., the GMS CCI network and the Private Sector Advisory Group under the Forum for the Comprehensive Development of Indochina) to promote complementarities and avoid duplication.
Membership
- Core members in the Business Forum will include representatives of appropriate private sector organizations in the GMS - chambers of commerce or their equivalent. Similar organizations from inside and outside the GMS may participate as associate members.
Chairperson and Venue
- The Chair of the GMS-BF will be rotated among the participating countries' business organizations. Rotation should be in alphabetical order, starting with L for Laos. Lao National Chamber of Commerce and Industry will hold the first Chair for three years. Thereafter, there will be a two-year rotation period.
- The Chair provides the necessary technical, administrative and coordinating support for Business Forum activities. In the initial years, ADB and ESCAP may, at the invitation of the Business Forum, assist in the conduct of the Forum meetings.
- In the case of several members from one country, the country members will decide on the Chair when the Chair rotation falls to that country.
Secretariat
- The GMS BF Secretariat will be established with the first Chair. In two years, the GMS BF members will consider if the Secretariat should be rotated at the same time with the Chair or not.
Frequency of GMS Business Forum Meetings
- The GMS Business Forum will meet as appropriate, depending on is work program.
Task Forces and Ad Hoc Groups
- The GMS Business Forum may establish task forces/ad hoc groups, as appropriate. [For example, a task force could conduct studies to identify opportunities, products and projects that may be conducive for joint ventures among members and associate members.]
Financing and Organization
- In due course, the cost of operations of the GMS Business Forum is expected to be covered by the participating organizations including non-regional associate members. However, during the initial period, there is a need to request external assistance from bilateral and multilateral agencies, including from ADB and ESCAP, especially to set up Secretariat.
- For the purpose of fulfilling its business objectives the GMS Business Forum can decide to establish professionally supervised and designated funds (rotating funds). For example a special fund could be established for conducting studies.
Reporting
- The GMS Business Forum will report to the Ministerial-level Conference and the respective governments. It has independence in the management of its operations, including financial, for the purpose of achieving its main objectives. It will also inform other selected parties about its activities, and coordinate with other relevant Forums/Working Groups/Institutions, as required, such as the ASEAN Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ASEAN-CCI), and the Private Sector Advisory Group of the Forum for the Comprehensive Development of Indo-China.
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