Mekong countries seek to expand ties

Better infrastructure to attract foreign funds

Published: 17/10/2009
Newspaper section: Business
Source: bangkokpost

The countries along the Mekong River need to co-operate more on improving regional infrastructure, protecting the environment and developing human resources to forge closer bonds and attract investment from outside the region.

Thai officials outlined the proposal during the second Mekong-Japan Ministers' Meeting held in Siem Reap, Cambodia last week under the theme of "Mekong and Japan: A Partnership for Development".

Thai Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya reaffirmed Thailand's commitment to continue playing an active role as a development partner with Japan in providing assistance to the region.

For infrastructure, Thailand will provide grants and loans through the Neighbouring Countries Economic Development Co-operation Agency (NEDA). Support for human resources projects will come through the Thailand International Co-operation Agency (TICA).

The Mekong countries are Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Burma and Vietnam.

"I have proposed for the member countries to (consider) linking the road and river (systems) as well as (considering) an East-West Corridor from Burma to Vietnam," said Mr Kasit.

Previously, Japan and the five Mekong countries worked together under co-operation frameworks such as the Greater Mekong Sub-region (GMS) economic co-operation and the Ayeyawady-Chao Phraya-Mekong Economic Co-operation Strategy (Acmecs).

The minister also suggested strengthening the role of the Mekong River Commission (MRC) group and sought closer co-operation with academic institutes such as the Mekong Institute in Khon Kaen.

"Five Mekong countries should work together to encourage more investment from Japanese businessmen in the Mekong. The Asian Development Bank could play a role to connect the governments and public sectors (in these countries)," said Mr Kasit.

In his view, Japan could provide assistance in reforestation along the Mekong Basin as well as flood and drought management.

Japanese Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada told the meeting that his country had a US$20-million budget to help the Mekong Basin countries. Of this, $10 million will be given to four Mekong countries excluding Thailand and the rest will go to the Mekong projects.

The meeting also emphasised promoting people-to-people contacts and cultural exchange by establishing the "Mekong-Japan Exchange Year 2009", which features cultural and academic activities. Tokyo will host the first Mekong-Japan Summit next month on Nov 6-7.

In another development, Mr Kasit also attended in the second Foreign Ministers' Meeting of the Emerald Triangle Co-operation in Siem Reap with Laos and Cambodia.

The meeting is to review current progress and find ways to promote co-operation in areas including infrastructure, agriculture, trade promotion and partnership for development under the theme "Emerald Triangle: Co-operation for Green Development".

Mr Kasit emphasised that an efficient and integrated transport network in the Emerald Triangle is vital for narrowing the development gap, for realising the area's full economic potential as well as for enhancing the attractiveness of the sub-region as a production, tourism and investment destination.