Regional : Enhancing Transport and Trade Facilitation in the Greater Mekong Subregion

Sovereign Project | 40437-012

The RETA will support overall institutional capacity building to strengthen transport and trade facilitation in the GMS, and will work closely with relevant regulatory agencies with competency in these matters, including customs and SPS agencies. Capacity building will be a central element under this RETA, as the spirit of GMS cooperation in these areas is fundamental in promoting regional integration. The RETA will undertake a series of activities centered on the following areas: transport facilitation; sanitary and phytosanitary measures (SPS) improvement; business and logistics support, and regional information sharing among customs, SPS, and logistic service providers in the GMS for trade facilitation.

Project Details

  • Project Officer
    Sasradipoera, Kanya S.
    Southeast Asia Department
    Request for information
  • Country/Economy
    Regional
  • Modality
  • Sector
    • Industry and trade
Project Name Enhancing Transport and Trade Facilitation in the Greater Mekong Subregion
Project Number 40437-012
Country / Economy Regional
Project Status Closed
Project Type / Modality of Assistance Technical Assistance
Source of Funding / Amount
TA 6450-REG: Enhancing Transport and Trade Facilitation in the Greater Mekong Subregion
Regional Cooperation and Integration Fund US$ 1.00 million
Government of Australia US$ 250,000.00
People's Republic of China Poverty Reduction and Regional Cooperation Fund US$ 500,000.00
Strategic Agendas Inclusive economic growth
Regional integration
Drivers of Change Governance and capacity development
Partnerships
Sector / Subsector

Industry and trade / Trade and services

Gender
Description The RETA will support overall institutional capacity building to strengthen transport and trade facilitation in the GMS, and will work closely with relevant regulatory agencies with competency in these matters, including customs and SPS agencies. Capacity building will be a central element under this RETA, as the spirit of GMS cooperation in these areas is fundamental in promoting regional integration. The RETA will undertake a series of activities centered on the following areas: transport facilitation; sanitary and phytosanitary measures (SPS) improvement; business and logistics support, and regional information sharing among customs, SPS, and logistic service providers in the GMS for trade facilitation.
Project Rationale and Linkage to Country/Regional Strategy

The RETA is in line with the strategic priorities of the regional cooperation strategy and program for the GMS. It is included in the program of nonlending products and services for 2008 in the indicative Regional Cooperation Operations Business Plan (2008-2010).

The GMS program has greatly improved physical connectivity in the subregion, as evidenced by the near completion of the transport component of the three main GMS corridors. However, complementary policy and regulatory measures are needed to transform the transport corridors into full-fledged economic corridors in which changes in productive structures will result in greater employment and income earning opportunities, particularly for the poor living in and around the corridors. These changes will occur over time, and the arrangements to induce them, including particularly capacity development, will need to be set in a long-term context. In GMS, there is need to improve transport and trade facilitation, including strengthening border level support. There is a need to initiate stronger national-level capacity building and collaboration on Customs, SPS, information sharing and logistics and enhance the role of private sector.

Impact

Enhanced competitiveness of the GMS countries

Project Outcome
Description of Outcome

Efficient movement of goods and people in the GMS and between the GMS and the rest of the

world

Progress Toward Outcome The TA was successfully completed in December 2012. The TA is currently being financially closed.
Implementation Progress
Description of Project Outputs

Capacity Building: Institutional mechanisms for GMS transport and trade facilitation streamlined and/or strengthened

Transport facilitation strengthened

SPS capacity in GMS strengthened

Business and logistics support implemented

(a) National freight logistics plans to improve efficiency of supply chains developed

(b) Capacity of the Business Forum for dealing with trade facilitation matters strengthened

(c) Thematic study in support of trade and investment prepared

(d) Business travel eased

Regional information platform to improve coordination and information sharing for

trade facilitation designed

Project Management System Operational

Status of Implementation Progress (Outputs, Activities, and Issues) The TA was successfully completed in December 2012. The TA is currently being financially closed.
Geographical Location Regional
Summary of Environmental and Social Aspects
Environmental Aspects
Involuntary Resettlement
Indigenous Peoples
Stakeholder Communication, Participation, and Consultation
During Project Design The project team consulted intensively and extensively with key agencies in the GMS countries on their needs during project design phase. The project team also consulted representatives from the private sector, technical specialists, and development partners active in the field. The TA responds to the findings of the mid-term review of the 10 year (2002-2012) GMS Strategic Framework, and supports cross border trade and investment, enhancement of private sector participation and improvement of competitiveness.
During Project Implementation Intensive consultation and stakeholder participation was ustained during project implementation phase.
Business Opportunities
Consulting Services The consultants were hired as individuals and engaged by ADB in accordance with its Guidelines on the Use of Consultants by ADB and its Borrowers (2007, as amended from time to time). Services ongoing.
Responsible ADB Officer Sasradipoera, Kanya S.
Responsible ADB Department Southeast Asia Department
Responsible ADB Division Public Management, Financial Sector and Trade Division, SERD
Executing Agencies
Asian Development Bank
Timetable
Concept Clearance 11 Jan 2008
Fact Finding 17 Jan 2008 to 18 Jan 2008
MRM -
Approval 28 Mar 2008
Last Review Mission -
PDS Creation Date 07 Mar 2008
Last PDS Update 29 Sep 2014

TA 6450-REG

Milestones
Approval Signing Date Effectivity Date Closing
Original Revised Actual
28 Mar 2008 - 28 Mar 2008 31 Mar 2011 31 Dec 2012 22 Dec 2014
Financing Plan/TA Utilization Cumulative Disbursements
ADB Cofinancing Counterpart Total Date Amount
Gov Beneficiaries Project Sponsor Others
1,000,000.00 750,000.00 150,000.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 1,900,000.00 17 Jun 2022 1,671,597.47

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Evaluation Documents See also: Independent Evaluation

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Related Publications

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Tenders

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Contracts Awarded

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Procurement Plan

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