Countries in the sub Mekong region need to have a stronger manifestation of their initiatives and leadership in the regional development, leaders of five Mekong river countries agreed at a session of the 19 th World Economic Forum on East Asia in Ho Chi Minh City on June 6.

The prime ministers from Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar and Thailand affirmed strong commitment of the Mekong River Commission members in continuing cooperation and pushing up sustainable development, using, protecting and managing Mekong river water resources and other resources in the river’s lower basin.

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung said that strengthening and raising the efficiency of bilateral and multilateral cooperation mechanisms in the region and with non-regional partners is one of four priorities for quick and sustainable development in the sub Mekong region.

He stressed the need to protect natural resources, particularly water resources in the Mekong basin, and eco-environment toward the building of a green development Mekong.

Apart from taking advantages of capital and assistance from international organisations as well as developed partners in East Asia and the world, sub-regional countries also need to create favourable conditions on legal corridor and financial incentives in order accelerate cooperation projects under public-private partnership format, especially for development of infrastructure, transport, urban areas, investment and trade, the PM said.

The countries also need to join hands to draw out priorities in each country’s economic development strategy which focuses on hard and soft infrastructure development, transport, human resource development, services, telecommunications, and new and renewable energy sources, according to PM Dung.

Sub Mekong region is an important area in Southeast Asia, a potential destination with investment opportunities in agricultural, aquatic and forestry production, hydro-power and mining.

The region is emerging as an attractive centre for developed partners, including major economies in East Asia like Japan and other important partners like the US and Europe./.