The Greater Mekong Sub-region (GMS) Senior Officials Meeting (SOM) opened in Hanoi on August 19 in the presence of the Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) representative.
At the function, the heads of delegations from Cambodia, China, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and the host country reviewed the results of development cooperation within the framework of the Vientiane Action Programme (VPA) for the 2008-2012 period relating to the results of the second GMS economic corridor forum and the GMS business forum.
They will also discuss reports to the 16 th GMS Ministerial Conference on the GMS railway link, the action plan for the second phase of the key environment programme, technical support to promote renewable energies and energy efficiency within GMS and the key agricultural support programme for 2011-2015 period.
The initial draft of the new GMS long-term strategic framework, action programmes on facilitating trade and transportation within GMS and the action plan and strategy for the southern GMS economic corridor have also tabled for discussion.
The General Director of the ADB’s Southeast Asia Department Kunio Senga, who is co-chair of the SOM, said he hoped GMS countries will work out measures to enhance infrastructure, organise cross border trade, improve the business environment and ensure social and environmental protection throughout the sub-region.
Since 1992, six GMS countries have been involved in a comprehensive economic cooperation programme in transport, energy, telecommunications, human resources development, the environment, natural resources management, trade facilitation, private investment, tourism and agriculture with assistance from the ADB and other development partners.
The 16 th GMS Ministerial Conference themed “GMS in the next decade: New frontiers of cooperation” is scheduled to open in Hanoi on August 20./.
At the function, the heads of delegations from Cambodia, China, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and the host country reviewed the results of development cooperation within the framework of the Vientiane Action Programme (VPA) for the 2008-2012 period relating to the results of the second GMS economic corridor forum and the GMS business forum.
They will also discuss reports to the 16 th GMS Ministerial Conference on the GMS railway link, the action plan for the second phase of the key environment programme, technical support to promote renewable energies and energy efficiency within GMS and the key agricultural support programme for 2011-2015 period.
The initial draft of the new GMS long-term strategic framework, action programmes on facilitating trade and transportation within GMS and the action plan and strategy for the southern GMS economic corridor have also tabled for discussion.
The General Director of the ADB’s Southeast Asia Department Kunio Senga, who is co-chair of the SOM, said he hoped GMS countries will work out measures to enhance infrastructure, organise cross border trade, improve the business environment and ensure social and environmental protection throughout the sub-region.
Since 1992, six GMS countries have been involved in a comprehensive economic cooperation programme in transport, energy, telecommunications, human resources development, the environment, natural resources management, trade facilitation, private investment, tourism and agriculture with assistance from the ADB and other development partners.
The 16 th GMS Ministerial Conference themed “GMS in the next decade: New frontiers of cooperation” is scheduled to open in Hanoi on August 20./.
