Officials in Greater Mekong Sub-region call for enhanced cooperation

Participants to the GMS (Greater Mekong Sub-region) Economic Corridor 2016 Governors Forum on Friday called for enhanced cooperation in face of economic, social and environmental challenges.

At the forum in Kunming, capital of southwest China's Yunnan province, the governors said a comprehensive transportation network should be constructed in the region, together with simplified customs clearing procedures, and the building of logistics information platform.

The GMS Economic Cooperation Program, launched in 1992 by six countries along the Mekong River -- Cambodia, China, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam, is aimed at pooling efforts to improve regional infrastructure, and to promote trade, investment and economic growth.

In the past 24 years, it helped boost infrastructure connection and trade between these countries, said Do Ngoc An, chairman of Lai Chau Province People's Committee of Vietnam.

Bouasone Vongsongkhone, vice governor of Champasak Province of Laos, however, said the countries are still faced with common challenges such as poverty, shortage of capital, lack of basic facilities and high transportation cost.

"This reminds us to deepen cooperation, and launch more projects to benefit the locals," the official said.

Boonsong Tachamanesatit, governor of Chiang Rai Province in Thailand, suggested that a land transportation agreement between China, Laos and Thailand must be drafted, and reform be carried out in port cities so that they adopt uniform standard.

"Today and in days to follow, countries in the Greater Mekong Sub-region have same tasks of economic growth and improvement of people's livelihood," said Chen Hao, Governor of Yunnan. "That is why we need further cooperation," he said. Endi