Developing Asia has become increasingly integrated over the past decade, led by growing trade and tourism and, most recently, as the region faced down the global financial crisis and subsequent eurozone crisis, according to a new integration index published in ADB's latest Asian Economic Integration Monitor.

The next phase of Greater Mekong Subregion investments should expand the program into new areas such as multisector investments towards urban development, connecting remote areas with growth centers, and extending existing corridors into Myanmar, ministers attending the 18th GMS Ministerial Conference in Nanning, People’s Republic of China said today in a joint statement.

Ministers from 10 nations spanning the Caucasus, Central, East, and South Asia will gather here on 29-31 October to discuss concrete ways to boost connectivity and cooperation in their region through to 2020.

For the first time, buses and trucks will be able to cross overland between the rugged southern regions of the People’s Republic of China and the remote northern regions of Viet Nam using a 1,300 kilometer route spanning from Ha Noi to Shenzhen made possible through a road transport agreement between the two countries.