Greater Mekong Sub-region aims for greater influence

October 27, 2009
Source: Nhan Dan

A Greater Mekong Sub-region (GMS) development co-operation forum and a trade fair will take place in Hanoi from November 30 to December 12 to promote regional initiatives and call for investment in GMS projects.

The President of the Viet Nam-Laos-Cambodia Economic Development and Co-operation Association, Lai Quang Thuc, told reporters on October 26 that the event is also aimed at strengthening friendship within the GMS itself and with non-member nations in general.

The forum consists of two workshops in the two largest economic hubs, Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City . Their themes are “Overcoming crisis-looking towards a more dynamic and sustainable GMS” and “Looking forward to a dynamic GMS”.

The International Mekong Trade and Investment Fair-2009 will be held in Ho Chi Minh City. Its 300 pavilions will display machinery, industrial materials and products, chemicals and promote the trade activities of a number of foreign countries and territories.

The fair will also reserve a space to present projects in need of investment and launch a charity programme entitled “Mekong joins in charitable embrace”.

The GMS was founded in 1992 under an initiative raised by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) with a long-term target of developing the region into a dynamic, sustainable and prosperous part of the Southeast Asia.

The grouping includes Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and China’s Yunnan and Guangxi provinces. (VNA)