The Government of Cambodia is preparing to introduce enhanced travel measures in time for its peak tourism season, which will run from mid-October through March of next year. These measures includes simplifying entry procedures, following the recommendation of Cambodia Prime Minister Hun Manet, and preparing to open the new Siem Reap Angkor International Airport.
In his remarks at the 20th China-ASEAN Expo and China-ASEAN Business and Investment Summit, Viet Nam Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính remarked that the country is eyeing to become a key transit hub and a crucial supply chain link for commerce between ASEAN nations and the People’s Republic of China (PRC).
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.
A smart border gate will be built at the Huu Nghi (Viet Nam) – Youyi Guan (PRC) border gate by the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region (GZAR) of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and Viet Nam’s Lang Son Province.
The First Training Session of the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) Task Force on Trade and Investment (TFTI) was held in-person in Bangkok, Thailand, on 13–14 September 2023. The training, entitled ¨Integrative Trade: Touchpoints to International Commerce,¨ had the following objectives:
Great strides were made in bringing power to the people by innovative policies, new technologies, and increased financing, but the region is unlikely to reach energy access targets by 2030. . Photo credit: ADB.
Despite welcome progress on universal access to electricity, the transition to renewable energy is faltering at a time when multiple shocks are hitting Asia and the Pacific hard.
ADB's investment will fund the working capital to expand Australis' operations at Van Phong Bay in central Viet Nam and support the development of a second regional production hub in southern Viet Nam.
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and Australis Holdings, Inc. (Australis) signed a $15 million convertible note to promote climate-resilient, ocean-based barramundi and seaweed aquaculture in Viet Nam.
The Viet - Smart Tourist Card. Photo by Viet Nam Tourism website
The Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) Economic Cooperation Program Strategic Framework 2030 (GMS-2030) emphasizes new possibilities opened by digitalization. At the recently held 51st GMS Tourism Working Group Meeting (TWG-51), GMS countries highlighted various digital initiatives they are implementing, which are helping boost their tourism markets and improve visitor management.
Photo by Shanice Garcia on Unsplash
Agriculture has been a double-edged sword for the Greater Mekong Sub-Region: while it provides an ample source of nutrition and business for GMS countries, it also places undue pressure on the environment.
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