Monday, March 31, 2008

The Potentials of Greater Mekong in Asia

Leaders from six Greater Mekong Sub-region (GMS) member countries will gather at the third GMS Summit, which will take place in Laos' capital city of Vientiane from March 30-31.

At the event, called "Enhancing Competitiveness through Greater Connectivity," the leaders will focus on boosting transport connectivity and cooperation between state-owned and private sectors to develop trade and investment in the region.

They are also expected to approve the Vientiane Plan of Action for the 2008-2012 period.

The 2008 summit is expected to accelerate implementation of the East-West Economic Corridor (EWEC) agreement on cross-border transportation in the GMS.

The 1,450km EWEC is the first land route linking the Pacific Ocean and Indian Ocean in Southeast Asia, running through 13 provinces of four GMS countries - Vietnam, Laos, Thailand and Myanmar.

Ratified at the 8th GMS Ministerial Meeting in Manila of the Philippines in October 1998, it aims to tap the potential of the region through road transport, assisting in developing the sub-region, accelerating poverty reduction and narrowing the development gap between EWEC and other areas in the GMS.

EWEC countries are poor in infrastructure but rich in potential. Central Vietnam is home to many deep seaports, natural resources and has diverse tourism capabilities.

Central and Lower Laos have agro-forestry, hydro-electric power and mining potential, while Thailand and Myanmar provinces are strong in agricultural, consumer and construction material production.

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