CHIANG MAI, THAILAND (1 February 2018) — Environment ministers from the six countries of the Greater Mekong Subregion endorsed a 5-year environment agenda that includes more than $540 million worth of priority projects to spur green investments and increase environmental cooperation to help the subregion achieve sustainable growth.

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.

Financial resource mobilization by the Malaria Trust Fund has helped eradicate malaria and build strong foundations for health systems in the Greater Mekong Subregion.

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.

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

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.

The People’s Republic of China, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, and Thailand have agreed to build a railway bridge that will be part of a high-speed rail line connecting the three countries.

The Singapore subsidiary of Kerry Logistics Network Limited will develop a dry port in the capital of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic with local company Sitthi Logistics.  

The ASEAN Infrastructure Fund has launched an “Inclusive Finance Facility” to provide concessional financing for critical infrastructure in three countries in the Greater Mekong Subregion—Cambodia, the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, and Myanmar.

Southeast Asia will sustain growth at close to 5% this year and next, according to a new Asian Development Bank report.