GMS in the News

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development in Viet Nam has initiated a Digital Transformation Project for the Agriculture sector for 2021–2025, with a view to 2030. This project is built on three foundational pillars: digital government, digital agricultural economy, and digital countryside, all aimed at fostering the emergence of "digital farmers."

Cambodia recorded 4.4 million international tourist arrivals in the first 10 months of 2023, a 180% increase over the same period in 2022. Tourism Minister Sok Soken remarked that based on this figure, Cambodia is expected to receive approximately 5.4 million foreign visitors in 2023. 

The digital marketplace prototype established by the Digital Economy Promotion Agency (DEPA) of the Government of Thailand garnered participation from 13,200 entrepreneurs from 75 markets across 25 provinces in the country. It generated an economic value of over 450 million baht (around $12.80 million).

ASEAN member countries agreed to fast track the implementation of cross-border payments in ASEAN at the 43rd ASEAN Summit in Jakarta, Indonesia. This paves the way for ASEAN member countries to utilize local currencies when transacting in the region and promote regional payment connectivity. This move encourages the use of local currencies to support cross-border trade and investment in the ASEAN region.

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. 

The Government of Thailand eyes an investment target of THB 500 billion (around $13.7 billion) for its Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) over the next five years, focusing on industries such as electric vehicle development, medical services, biotechnology infrastructure, and digital industries.