The International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, is partnering with Thailand-based Amata Corporation to develop sustainability projects for cities, towns, and industrial zones in the Greater Mekong Subregion. The projects will promote green growth and sustainable design practices.

Under their Memorandum of Understanding, IFC and Amata will identify projects for co-investment and encourage the use of sustainable energy, water, and waste solutions for buildings and infrastructure in existing and new smart cities, industrial zones, and townships.

In a news release, IFC mentioned in particular the industrial sector in five Lower Mekong nations—Cambodia, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Myanmar, Thailand, and Viet Nam—contributed 32.3% of the region’s GDP in 2017 and provided an estimated 20% of the employment.

IFC said industrial zones provide a good platform for supporting interventions for green buildings, clean energy, energy efficiency, and climate-smart water and waste infrastructure. The proximity of multiple co-located tenants also provides opportunities for green energy, innovative wastewater treatment and other circular economy projects that effectively use valuable resources. Implementation of sustainability projects can help zones follow an environmentally friendly growth path and transition toward eco-efficiency consistent with national government priorities.

Read the news release at the IFC website.