Mekong sub-region economic links

Since the first Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam Summit took place 13 years ago, Vietnam has been active in participating in joint mechanisms, especially in supporting Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar in initiatives to enhance collaboration between the four countries. Vietnam also wants to step up ties along the Ayeyawady, Chao Phraya and Mekong rivers, which include Cambodia, Myanmar, Laos Thailand and Vietnam for sustainable development, while helping narrow the development gap in the Mekong sub-region.

“Member countries in the Mekong sub-region share the same development stages and challenges. Therefore we need a leader to promote and support the development of member countries. We need to co-operate to become more attractive as a region for the international community and also enhance the capacity for member states to develop as a whole,” said Dang Dinh Quy, deputy foreign minister.

Vietnam has taken the initiative to form the East-West Economic Corridor, linking Myanmar, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam's central region, along with establishing working groups on environmental protection to promote sustainable use of Mekong sub-region’s natural resources. This year, Vietnam plans to organise a World Economic Forum on the Mekong region with the participation of 160 firms to promote the region’s potentials to the international business community.

Deputy Foreign Minister added that this time the countries tried to plan a range of initiatives, but the biggest initiative is to invite the World Economic Forum to organize a conference on the Mekong region for the first time. This aimed to strengthen the connection between enterprises and leaders, and policy makers so that we can turn proposal into projects and turn vision into reality.

These summits, chaired by the leaders of member countries, will focus on opportunities and challenges for the economic development of member countries and measures to boost their links in improving competitiveness and promoting regional integration.