GMS in the News


How Agribusiness Financing Can Have Transformational Impact on Asia and the Pacific

Agriculture accounts for more than half the workforce in most ADB developing member countries. In the Greater Mekong Subregion, agriculture forms the backbone of its countries’ economies, directly supporting the livelihoods of nearly 200 million people with over 60% of the subregion’s 340 million inhabitants engaged in small-scale agriculture. 


The development of night markets in three towns along the Mekong River aims to help revitalize the Greater Mekong Subregion and reduce poverty. Photo credit: Javier Coloma Brotons.

Increasing Economic Activities through Night Markets

A pilot project has developed night markets in selected border towns in the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) to take advantage of the economic opportunities opened by infrastructure projects in the area.


The project will help install eight modernized irrigation systems in five drought-affected provinces, which will improve agricultural productivity in Viet Nam. Photo: ADB.

ADB Project to Modernize Irrigation Systems, Improve Agricultural Productivity in Viet Nam

HA NOI, VIET NAM (27 November 2018) — The Asian Development Bank has approved over $100 million in financing to help the Government of Viet Nam install eight modernized irrigation systems in five drought-affected provinces, which will improve agricultural productivity, especially among farmers growing high-value crops such as coffee, peppers, grapes, dragon fruits, and mangoes.


Viet Nam is the world’s second largest coffee producer after Brazil, and it is the largest producer of Robusta coffee, which is well-suited for soluble coffee. Photo: ADB.

ADB, JICA Support Expansion of Coffee Value Chain in Viet Nam

Singapore-based agribusiness group Olam International has secured $163 million in financing from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), including $80 million in loans for its coffee subsidiary in Viet Nam.


Rural communities in the Greater Mekong Subregion are vulnerable to climate-related disasters, such as floods, droughts, and storms. Risk financing can help people protect their livelihood and productive assets better through a combination of risk retention, risk sharing, and risk transfer mechanisms. Photo: ADB.

How Risk Financing Can Help Mekong Farmers Cope with Disasters

Risk financing can help at-risk communities better cope with the economic costs of natural disasters and extreme weather.


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