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.
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:
The COVID-19 pandemic created a crisis for communities around the world. In tourist hubs and border towns of Cambodia and Thailand, families were particularly hard hit, struggling to survive amid travel restrictions and economic downturns. To address this crisis, ADB tapped local-based civil society organization Mith Samlanh to implement a project which provided support and assistance to these communities.
The strategy development focal points of the Working Group on Health Cooperation in the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) met in Bangkok on 25-26 July 2023 to lay out the road map for the GMS Health Cooperation Strategy 2024-2030. The meeting also discussed new areas of interest and possible partnerships, the process for upcoming country consultations, and the organization of the 6th GMS Working Group on Health Cooperation meeting to be held in Beijing, People’s Republic of China in December 2023.
The rich natural environment of the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) has led to significant development to the economy and livelihoods, but the GMS countries, especially the Lower Mekong countries, are highly vulnerable to climate change and disasters.
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