Thai PM pushes for GMS economic cooperation
Play
Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has proposed that the Mekong Subregion countries expand their economic cooperation, saying that economic development in the region could contribute to stimulating economic growth worldwide.
Attending the 4th Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) Summit 2011 in the Burmese capital of Naypyidaw. Yingluck told the meeting that Thailand would encourage the GMS member countries - China, Cambodia, Laos, Burma, Thailand and Vietnam – to jointly develop new economic areas such as Kanchanaburi-Dawei (Tavoy) and Mae Sot-Myawaddy on the Thai-Burmese border and Nakhon Phanom-Khammouane.
Economic development of the GMS would contribute to the establishment of the Asean Community in 2015, she said. The implementation of the Asean Economic Community (AEC) would help increase regional demand and could be a major factor in spurring world economic growth.
Yingluck said Thailand was giving full support to the new 2012-2022 GMS Strategy Framework.
She added that Thailand also gave priority to the safety and security of people in the Subregion, taking account of the threats from natural disasters such as floods, drought, tsunamis and earthquakes caused by climate change and other factors.
Thailand has proposed regional cooperation to improve water management in the region and to organise a water summit in the Asia-Pacific region next year.
Established in 1992, with the assistance of the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the GMS draws together China, Cambodia, Laos, Burma, Thailand and Vietnam, all countries sharing the Mekong River. It is designed to enhance economic relations.
The GMS summit is held every three years. Cambodia hosted the first in 2002, China chaired it in 2005, and Lao held the summit in 2008.
The leaders at the summit are discussing the 2012-2022 GMS Strategy Framework, and the report of the GMS Business and Investment Conference. In addition to signing the Joint Declaration of the 4th GMS Summit, they will sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on joint cooperation to further accelerate construction of an information superhighway and its GMS applications, and another on establishing a GMS Freight Transporters Association (FRETA).
An MoU on joint action to reduce HIV risks related to population movement is also on the agenda.
