PM writes about VN’s contributions to GMS, CLV

The nation’s organization of the GMS has received consensus from GMS members, and support from such partners as the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the World Bank (WB) and ASEAN.

The event also attracts the participation of more than 2,000 delegates from foreign and domestic businesses, which manifests businessmen and investors’ belief  in the Government’s open and transparent policies and creates more business opportunities for GMS and CLV in the upcoming time. 

Mekong cooperation enhancing regional connection 

Within the framework of GMS cooperation, country members and development partners have mobilized around US$21 billion for socio-economic development projects in the six member nations. Especially, Japan financed around US$13 billion for 2009-2015 period and disbursed US$6.5 billion for the 2016-2018 phase. 

Recently, China has launched a plan to invest US$10 billion for the sub-region, especially transport projects connecting North-South Expressway. 

The Mekong Sub-region is the space of security and development, which directly affects Viet Nam. Besides forming a peace and favorable environment in the region, the region contributes to the sustainability and development of Viet Nam and brings specific benefits for the nation. 

Firstly, the Mekong cooperative mechanism helps the nation attract resources from development partners to serve its socio-economic development, promote growth, enhance regional connection and reduce poverty, particularly borer areas. 

As of December 2017, projects under the framework of GMS connectivity are valued around US$6 billion, accounting for 30% of GMS’ mobilized capital. These projects include Ho Chi Minh City-Moc Bai Expressway, the second Thailand-Laos-Viet Nam Bridge, Con Minh – Ha Noi - Hai Phong Economic Corridor and Noi Bai-Lao Cai Expressway. 

Secondly, Mekong cooperation helps boost economic connection between Viet Nam and other nations in the region through a number of cooperative agreements in economics and trade and cultural cooperative programs.

Thirdly, the participation in Mekong cooperation also creates a dialogue channel with other nations in the Mekong River and attracts financial and technical sponsors from development partners on sustainable use and exploitation of water resources in the Mekong River. 

In addition to the Mekong River Commission (MRC), Viet Nam has joined hands with other nations to implement projects on environmental protection and water resource security at other Mekong cooperative framework. 

VN-active, responsible member 

Regarding investment and trade, Viet Nam has participated in trade facilitation and investment activities within the GMS, including the 2004 Strategic Framework for Action on Trade Facilitation and Investment (SFA–TFI) as well as inked protocols and appendix of the Greater Mekong Sub-region Transport & Trade Facilitation and the Memorandum of Understanding on the Greater Mekong Sub-region Transport & Trade Facilitation. 

Viet Nam has actively cooperated with other MRC members in negotiating and completing procedures on data sharing, supervision of water use, actively participated in GMS environmental protection strategy, monitor and protect mangrove land in the Lower Mekong and strengthen institution and training on environmental protection. 

In field of education and training, the nation joined hands in Strategic Framework and Action Plan for Human Resource Development in the GMS in the 2009-2012 and 2013-2017 periods and supported the implementation of regional initiatives on human resource cooperation  and addressing trans-border issues on human resources between GMS nations. 

Especially, the nation has made contributions to the development of the Greater Mekong Sub-region by organizing the eighth Cambodia-Laos-Myanmar-Viet Nam Cooperation Summit (CLMV 8) and the seventh Ayeyawady-Chao Phraya-Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy Summit (ACMECS 7) in October 2016 and the second Mekong-Japan Summit in 2010. 

Viet Nam has supported Laos and Cambodia in constructing some expressways connecting border localities and building border markets. Vietnamese enterprises have invested in 100 projects in the CLV with the total registered capital of more than US$3.8 billion. 

By Thuy Dung