1 Overview: The Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) Economic Cooperation Program Overview: The Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) Economic Cooperation Program

GMS Program in a Nutshell Participating Countries: Cambodia, People’s Republic of China, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand, and Viet Nam Strategic Priorities:  Vision – a more integrated, prosperous, and equitable subregion  “3Cs” – Connectivity, Competitiveness, Community  Economic Corridor Development

GMS Program in a Nutshell GMS projects – totaled $15 billion as of end-2011; 56 investment projects  ADB Assistance - $5.1 billion;  GMS governments-$4.3 billion  Development partners-$5.6 billion GMS technical assistance- $286.1 million as of end-2011; 177 technical assistance projects

4 GREATER MEKONG SUBREGION ENHANCING CONNECTIVITY, COMPETITIVENESS AND COMMUNITY Strategic Framework Strategic Thrusts GoalsVision Strengthen infrastructure linkages Facilitate cross-border trade, investment & tourism Enhance private sector participation & competitiveness Develop human resources & skills competencies Protect environment & promote sustainable use of shared natural resources More Integrated Prosperous Harmonious Subregion Action Plan Accelerated and sustained economic growth Reduced poverty & income disparities Improved quality of life Sustainable management of environment & natural resources Transport Telecommunications Energy Environment Tourism Trade Investment Human Resource Development Agriculture

5 GMS Strategic Framework ( ) Sector and Multi-sector Priorities Vision Corridor Development Transport Linkages (Roads and Railways) Energy and Power Market Integrati on HRD initiatives (facilitate process of GMS integration and address negative consequences) ICT Linkages and Applications MoreIntegratedProsperousandEquitableSubregion Implementation Resource Mobilization Knowledge Platform Capacity Building Stakeholders Engagement Monitoring & Evaluation Sector Forums Working Groups Strategic Alliances and Partnerships External Partners Tourism (Mekong as single destination) Agriculture (Competitive, Climate-friendly and sustainable Environmental Performance (Enhanced)

6 Institutional Structure National Coordinating Committee in Each Country Ministerial-level Conference Senior Officials’ Meeting Forums/Working Groups in Nine Priority Sectors GMS Summit ADB GMS Secretariat Priority Sectors of Cooperation: 1.Agriculture 2.Energy 3.Environment 4.Human resource development 5.Investment 6.Telecommunications 7.Tourism 8.Trade and transport facilitation 9.Transport

Roads Telecommunications Power Transmission Line Infrastructure Development in GMS (1992)

Infrastructure Development in GMS (2010) Roads Telecommunications Power Transmission Line

Infrastructure Development in GMS (2015―2020) Roads Telecommunications Power Transmission Line

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11 Transport and Trade Facilitation: the GMS Cross- Border Transport AgreementTransport and Trade Facilitation: the GMS Cross- Border Transport Agreement Core Environment Program (CEP)Core Environment Program (CEP) Promoting GMS as a single tourist destinationPromoting GMS as a single tourist destination Core Agricultural Support ProgramCore Agricultural Support Program Building capacity for development management; comprehensive HRD StrategyBuilding capacity for development management; comprehensive HRD Strategy Competitiveness and Community: The “Softer” Aspects of Regional Cooperation and Development

Major Challenges and Issues (I) Recovering from the economic downturn and mitigating /counteracting its long term negative impactRecovering from the economic downturn and mitigating /counteracting its long term negative impact  Rebalancing of economies  Mitigating future contagions Transforming the GMS connectivity or transport corridors into genuine economic corridorsTransforming the GMS connectivity or transport corridors into genuine economic corridors  Commitment to required institutional/policy reforms  Close/effective engagement of the private sector Tapping more fully into opportunities offered by economic resurgence and dynamism in AsiaTapping more fully into opportunities offered by economic resurgence and dynamism in Asia  Effectively linking with economic giants, China and India  Taking advantage of complementarities /synergies with other regional cooperation initiatives, e.g., ASEAN 12

Major Challenges and Issues (II) Addressing global warming and climate changeAddressing global warming and climate change  “low carbon” development path  mitigation or adaptation Addressing the risks in other “soft” areas usually associated with increased connectivityAddressing the risks in other “soft” areas usually associated with increased connectivity  Communicable disease control  Human trafficking and transnational crime  Flood and drought management  Biodiversity conservation corridors. Respond to changing demographics and increased urbanizationRespond to changing demographics and increased urbanization  HRD, labor and migration – safe migration/protection  urban infrastructure services and utilities Sustaining investments in infrastructureSustaining investments in infrastructure Increased mobilization of private investments for the GMS program, including public-private partnershipsIncreased mobilization of private investments for the GMS program, including public-private partnerships 13

Thank You For more information: on the GMS Program – visit