GMS Contents

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and BANPU Public Company Limited signed a 2.4 billion baht loan to support the financing of 1,500 six-seater electric tuktuks (e-tuktuks) and related charging stations for micro-scale transit services in Bangkok, Thailand. 

The GMs Energy Transition Task Force (ETTF) met in Siem Reap on 4-5 December 2023 to discuss updates and plans related to its work streams, including trends, opportunities and related initiatives in the region.

The meeting agreed on these next steps for 2024.

The ASEAN Federation of Forwarders Associations (AFFA) met on 2 December 2023 in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, for their 33rd annual meeting, and discussed facilitation of goods transportation via inter-governmental cooperation in the region. 

ASEAN countries have emphasized the development of logistics services, infrastructure, and trade facilitation measures, and promoting intra-bloc connectivity. 

Lao PDR Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone, in his meeting with the Chairman of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region (GZAR), People's Republic of China (PRC), Mr. Lan Tianli, expressed hopes of enhancing their relationship further.

The Laos-China Railway Co., Ltd. (LCRC) continues to increase its capacity with the procurement of a new electric multiple unit (EMU) train in September. The added EMU will accommodate the growing number of train passengers and support Visit Laos Year 2024.

The Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region (GZAR) plans to build a green food processing and manufacturing base for the ASEAN, said Mr. Xu Liqing, Deputy Director of the Department of Industry and Information Technology of GZAR. He spoke at the Guangxi Food Processing Industry Chain Investment Promotion Conference held in Nanning, Guangxi, PRC.

A report by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) underscored that international tourism arrivals are slowly returning to pre-pandemic levels. The reopening of several Asian source markets and destinations will contribute to tourism recovery in 2023.

Over the past 17 years, the PRC Fund has supported 135 applications in ADB developing members and achieved good results, and will continue to promote common prosperity and shared development by supporting poverty reduction in Asia and the Pacific, regional cooperation and integration, and knowledge sharing through technical assistance and grants.