An ambitious effort is underway to connect the rail systems of Mekong countries so that passengers and freight can move seamlessly across borders.

Sometimes misunderstood as highway projects, the concept of economic corridors can be complex and confusing. Though not simple, they are powerful tools for reducing poverty and increasing economic growth.

Economic corridors, like the East-West Corridor running through the Greater Mekong Subregion, are much more than just highways. They link a variety of economic activities and have wide-ranging impacts.

The Myanmar government recently approved a project that will ensure the completion of the Greater Mekong Subregion East-West Economic Corridor, which stretches from Danang, Viet Nam to Yangon, Myanmar.

The Fourteenth Meeting of the Subregional Transport Forum (STF-14) was held in Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region (GZAR), People’s Republic of China (PRC), on 2-3 December 2010 The Meeting was jointly organized by the Ministry of Transport, PRC; the Department of Transport, GZAR; and the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

The Fifteenth Meeting of the Subregional Transport Forum (STF-15) was held in Vientiane, Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR), on 14–15 September 2011. The Forum was jointly organized by the Ministry of Public Works and Transport (MPWT), Lao PDR and the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

The Sixteenth Meeting of the Subregional Transport Forum (STF-16) was held in Nay Pyi Taw, Republic of the Union of Myanmar, on 24–25 October 2012. The Forum was jointly organized by the Ministry of Rail Transportation (MORT) of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar and the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

The Forum was jointly organized by the Ministry of Transport (MOT) of Thailand and the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

The Eighteenth Meeting of the Subregional Transport Forum (STF-18) was held in Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam. The Forum was jointly organized by the Ministry of Transport (MOT) of Viet Nam and the Asian Development Bank (ADB).