GMS Contents

The Ministers of the six member countries of the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) are set to lay the groundwork for the preparation for the 7th GMS Summit of Leaders. 

Hosted by the Royal Government of Cambodia and the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the 23rd GMS Ministerial Conference (MC-23) will take place in Phnom Penh on 18 November 2019, with the theme "Greater Integration, Inclusivity and Sustainability in the GMS.”   

Blessed with rich natural resources and a strategic location at the heart of the Greater Mekong Subregion, the Lao People’s Democratic Republic has emerged from decades of turmoil and isolation to become one of the fastest growing economies in Southeast Asia since 2011.

The Greater Mekong Subregion is gearing up to expand its railway network beyond borders to boost travel and trade.

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) have identified 19 priority infrastructure projects to enhance regional connectivity and mobilize investments. Fifteen of the projects are in the Greater Mekong Subregion.

Myanmar plans to develop a deep-sea port and special economic zone in Yangon, the country’s commercial capital.

Thailand is embarking on several projects in its northeastern region to improve travel to the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR).

BANGKOK, THAILAND (4 June 2019) — The Asian Development Bank signed an agreement with a financing package of 9.9 billion Thai baht ($311 million equivalent) for the construction and operation of the Pink and Yellow lines of Bangkok’s mass rapid transit system.

Thailand is spending 100 billion baht ($3 billion) in infrastructure to strengthen its position as a transport and trade hub along the economic corridors of the Greater Mekong Subregion.

The six countries of the Greater Mekong Subregion have agreed to extend the “early harvest” implementation of their Cross-Border Transport Facilitation Agreement (CBTA) for 2 years.

The Lao People’s Democratic Republic has issued a law to guide railway development and ensure integration of its rail services with regional and global networks.