GMS Contents

Woman-owned Business Brings Viet Nam’s Eco Products to Global Markets

ADB's #SheExport Accelerator program has made a significant impact on Green Joy, a female-owned business based in Viet Nam specializing in crafting eco-friendly products made from grey sedge grass, which grows naturally in alkaline soils in the Mekong Delta and other provinces in Viet Nam. The grass plant, which is 1-2 meters in height and has a round and hollow stem, grows abundantly during the flood season.  In old times, farmers used the grass material to make handicrafts. In recent years, grey sedge grass has served as raw material to make straws.


The High-Value Horticulture Development Project in Viet Nam scales up and transfers a successful high-value horticulture business model built on the introduction of climate-controlled greenhouse technology in tropical highlands in Asia. The business model will be replicated for vegetable production. Photo by ADB.

GMS Officials Discuss Priorities for Climate-smart Agri-food Value Chains and Green Financing

The 20th Annual Meeting of the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) Working Group on Agriculture (WGA) was held on 10–12 May 2023 in Siem Reap, Cambodia. The meeting underscored the need to enhance (i) subregional cooperation on green and climate resilient agri-food value chains, and (ii) green financing of small and medium agribusinesses. The meeting also confirmed four priority action points by the WGA, and discussed the planned new agriculture sector strategy.

Photo via Vientiane Times

5th Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge Construction Reaches 72% Completion

Construction work on the 5th Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge has surpassed 72% completion, and is expected to be completely finished by the end of 2024. The bridge will connect Paksan, Bolikhamsai Province (Lao PDR) to Bueng Kan Province (Thailand) across the Mekong River. The bridge is set to further boost connectivity in the GMS.

The Kim Thanh International Border Gate between Lao Cai (Viet Nam) and Yunnan Province (PRC) plays a vital role in the GMS northern corridor. Photo by ADB.

AEIR 2023 Highlights Deepening Integration, Continued Economic Growth in the GMS

The Asian Economic Integration Report 2023 highlights the continued growth of integration in subregional initiatives and programs in Southeast Asia, including both in the GMS and the ASEAN, from 2006 to 2020.

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