Greater Mekong Subregion countries are laying the groundwork for a seamless, cross-border rail network. Photo: ADB.
An ambitious effort is underway to connect the rail systems of Mekong countries so that passengers and freight can move seamlessly across borders.
The economic corridors of the Greater Mekong Subregion are not just roads or highways, but they encompass a variety of economic activities that run parallel to main transport routes. Photo: ADB.
Sometimes misunderstood as highway projects, the concept of economic corridors can be complex and confusing. Though not simple, they are powerful tools for reducing poverty and increasing economic growth.
Shop owners see a rise in sales as better roads bring in more customers. Photo: ADB.
Economic corridors, like the East-West Corridor running through the Greater Mekong Subregion, are much more than just highways. They link a variety of economic activities and have wide-ranging impacts.
The road project is expected to improve travel between Yangon (in photo), Myanmar’s largest city, and Mae Sot in western Thailand. Photo credit: ADB.
The Myanmar government recently approved a project that will ensure the completion of the Greater Mekong Subregion East-West Economic Corridor, which stretches from Danang, Viet Nam to Yangon, Myanmar.
The Eighth Meeting (the Meeting) of the Subregional Transport Forum (the STF) was held in Phnom Penh, Cambodia on 3-4 August 2004. The Meeting was jointly organized by the Ministry of Public Works and Transport (MPWT) of the Royal Government of Cambodia and the Asian Development Bank (ADB).
The Eighth Meeting (the Meeting) of the Subregional Transport Forum (the STF) was held in Phnom Penh, Cambodia on 3-4 August 2004. The Meeting was jointly organized by the Ministry of Public Works and Transport (MPWT) of the Royal Government of Cambodia and the Asian Development Bank (ADB).
The Ninth Meeting (the Meeting) of the Subregional Transport Forum (the STF) was held in Beijing, People’s Republic of China (PRC) on 1-2 June 2005. The Meeting was jointly organized by the Ministry of Communications (MOC) of the Government of the PRC and the Asian Development Bank (ADB).
This publication summarizes the proceedings of the Ninth Meeting of the Subregional Transport Forum (STF-9) held in Beijing, People's Republic of China on 1-2 June 2005.
The Tenth Meeting of the Subregional Trasport Forum (STF-10) was held in Vientiane, Lao PDR on 22-23 March 2006. The Meeting was jointly organized by the Ministry of Communications, Transport and Construction (MCTPC) of the Govenrment of Lao PDR and Asian Development Bank (ADB).
The transport sector is critical to economic cooperation among the countries of the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS). Soon after its inception in 1992, the GMS Economic Cooperation Program developed a GMS Transport Master Plan (1995) to encourage commercial exchange among the countries to spur development, generate employment opportunities, and assist GMS countries’ programs to reduce poverty. The Transport Master Plan served well to develop the economic corridors that are the foundation of the GMS Program.
Greater Mekong Subregion Secretariat
Regional Cooperation and Operations Coordination Division,
Southeast Asia Department, Asian Development Bank
Address: 6 ADB Avenue, Mandaluyong City 1550, Metro Manila, Philippines
Telephone: +63 2 8632 4444 Fax: +63 2 8636 2226