Map of southern economic corridor in southern Mekong river (Source: AFP/VNA) Japan has committed support to the Mekong sub-region for its long-term sustainable development, while enhancing its potential to become a new growth centre in the region.
Talking with the media on the sidelines of the seventh Mekong-Japan Economic Ministers' Meeting, Cambodian Acting Commerce Minister Pan Sorasak said the potential of the Mekong region is huge as it represents half of ASEAN's population that is about 240 million.
The programmes to be undertaken will benefit the people, especially those in the lower middle income countries, he said, adding that ASEAN Economic Ministers from the Mekong sub-region and their Japanese counterpart reaffirmed their commitment to see that the initiatives under the “New Tokyo Strategy 2015” blueprint are implemented according to the plan.
The New Tokyo strategy 2015, which was adopted in July, will spearhead development in the Mekong region based on four pillars, including industrial infrastructure and human resource development, strengthening connectivity, sustainable development towards the realisation of a Green Mekong.
Japan has pledged 750 billion JPY, or more than 6.2 billion USD in official development assistance to develop the sub-Mekong region for three years, starting 2016.
Besides development of infrastructure to boost connectivity, Pan Sorasak said the focus would also be on developing and enhancing the skills and productivity of the workers.
Established in 2008, the Mekong-Japan Cooperation comprises Japan and five ASEAN countries, namely Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam.-VNA
