Govt outlines benefits of GMS

Laos has benefited considerably from cooperation with and became membership in the Greater Mekong Sub-region (GMS), according to Deputy Prime Minister Dr Thongloun Sisoulith yesterday.

“Laos has earned more than US$380 million from the sale of electricity produced by the Theunhinboun and Namleuk hydropower plants,” said Dr Thongloun, who is also Minister of Foreign Affairs and President of the National Organising Committee for the GMS Summit.

Since 1992, when the six Mekong River countries, Laos, China, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, and Myanmar, agreed to a joint economic development plan through the GMS to link the economies of the sub-region, cooperation has increased from just two sectors - transport and energy - to nine sectors today.

Through GMS cooperation, many communication projects have been realised, such as Road No 9 and the second Lao-Thai Mekong Friendship Bridge linking Savannakhet with Mukdahan province, Thailand.

A GMS border transportation treaty has been reached as well as an agreement between the governments of Laos, China and Thailand regarding financial funding for the third Lao-Thai Mekong Friendship Bridge linking Houayxai district, Bokeo province, with Xieng Khong district in Chiang Rai province, Thailand.

Dr Thongloun highlighted the benefits to the tourism sector, pointing out that Laos has received a US$10 million loan from the Asian Development Bank to develop basic infrastructure for tourism.

He said the bank is offering another US$10 million as a grant to the Lao government for Phase II of the sustainable tourism development project to market the GMS as a single tourist destination.

The bank also extended grant assistance to a project to combat severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and bird flu. It also helped in training 300 Lao officials under the Phnom Penh Plan for development management.

The bank has prepared loans and grants for various projects in the region from 2008-2010 totaling more than US$364 million, including more than US$116 million for Lao projects.

During an interview with reporters, Dr Thongloun replied to questions regarding the objectives of the third GMS summit, to be held in Laos on March 30-31.

He said the summit aimed to reconfirm the views of GMS countries' leaders on linkage within the sub-region for harmony and prosperity. This will also reconfirm the unanimous decision-making of the GMS countries in promoting prosperity for the people of the region.

It is hoped the summit can reach concurrence on views concerning the increasing competitive ability to be gained through linkage expansion, which will be specified in a joint statement. The summit will also approve the Vientiane Action Plan 2008-2012.

Dr Thongloun said the summit will focus on discussions and the exchange of views among the member countries' leaders on six main topics, one to be proposed by the prime minister of each country.

The GMS leaders will approve a joint statement as well as the Vientiane Action Plan. An official signing of both documents will take place for the first time and leaders will also witness various agreement ceremonies.

Preparations for the summit are almost complete and all the sectors concerned are working to ensure that everything is prepared in advance. This includes a motorcade rehearsal and the preparation of accommodation, vehicles, gala dinner, administration and all personnel involved.