China, People's Republic of: Guangxi Regional Cooperation and Integration Promotion Investment Program - Tranche 3

Agriculture, natural resources and rural development / Agro-industry, marketing, and trade

Industry and trade / Industry and trade sector development - Small and medium enterprise development - Trade and services

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the People's Republic of China (PRC) signed a framework financing agreement for the Guangxi Regional Cooperation and Integration Promotion Investment Program (GRIP) on 15 October 2016. Under the program, a roadmap was developed to help the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region (GZAR) and Viet Nam capture regional cooperation and integration benefits in their border areas through small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) support enhancement, cross-border financial transaction and investment promotion, cross-border e-commerce platforms development, border economic zone (BEZ) infrastructure construction, and policy coordination improvement. On 1 December 2016, ADB approved the provision of a $450 million multitranche financing facility (MFF) to the PRC for the GRIP to be implemented through three tranches from 2017-2024. Tranche 1 amounting to $130 million of ADB financing was approved on 12 December 2016 with the current loan closing date of 30 June 2022. Tranche 2 of $180 million was approved on 4 April 2018 with the current loan closing date of 30 November 2023.

The Government of the PRC submitted a request for a loan up to $140 million from ADB's ordinary capital resources for tranche 3 on 6 August 2021. Tranche 3 of the MFF will align with the program strategic roadmap to support (i) SME development in the border areas through vocational training capacity enhancement and expansion of the Sino-ASEAN Agricultural Products Trade Center in Baise City, (ii) integrated cross-border e-commerce platforms development for the PRC and Viet Nam, (iii) provision of key infrastructure and trade-related services in BEZs, and (iv) physical and informational connectivity and policy coordination through development of the Sino-Viet Nam Cross-Border Tourism Cooperation Zone in Chongzuo City.

The border areas of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region (GZAR) in the People's Republic of China (PRC) and Viet Nam are key areas for regional cooperation and integration (RCI) along the North-South Economic Corridor (NSEC) under the Greater Mekong Subregion Economic Cooperation Program (GMS). However, transport and trade along NSEC are inefficient, and the presence of various critical bottlenecks hinders the border areas from realizing their economic growth potential. Major challenges include (i) the low level of development of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) due to limited access to bank credit, lack of reliable market information, challenges in hiring and retaining skilled staff and labor; (ii) costly, risky, and time-consuming cross-border financial transactions; (iii) difficulties faced by local traders in adopting e-commerce to access to markets due to a lack of common platforms and inadequate trade facilitation measures for cross-border e-commerce; (iv) inadequate infrastructure and services in border economic zones (BEZs); and (v) poor infrastructure for connectivity, especially at key border crossing points. Addressing these constraints will require a strategic, holistic, multisector approach to promote cross-border economic activities. The multitranche financing facility (MFF) is a suitable modality to help GZAR address aforementioned constraints as well as creating spill over benefits to Viet Nam.

With the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), regional economic cooperation between Guangxi and Viet Nam is impacted. The pandemic is largely contained in the PRC but remains a risk, particularly to border trade and regional cooperation on tourism. With the growing recognition of the need for measures to prevent cross-border spread of the pandemic, other public health threats, and the broad cross border risks, regional cooperation is a key part of the recovery of the GZAR and neighboring areas of Viet Nam from COVID-19. Providing and expanding regional public goods in areas such as supporting climate change mitigation and adaption, protecting the environment, and mitigating cross border public health and other risks are also called for in ADB's new country partnership strategy for the PRC (2021-2025).

Economic growth potential for border areas in the PRC and Viet Nam realized

Efficient transport and trade operations along GMS North-South Economic Corridor achieved

Economic integration between GZAR and the rest of GMS further strengthened

Support for SME in border areas expanded

Integrated cross-border e-commerce platforms for the PRC and Viet Nam developed

Key infrastructure and trade-related services for BEZs improved

Physical and informational connectivity and policy coordination improved