5th Mekong Subregion Summit opens in Bangkok
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, Dec 19 -- The two-day 5th Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) Summit opened in Bangkok today with the private sector from member countries discussing investment plans.

Deputy Transport Minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith told journalists that the GMS private sector--including Myanmar, China, the three Indochina countries – Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam -- and Thailand would on Friday discuss investment plans while Thailand alone would focus on an investment value of about US$30 billion from 2014 to 2018.

Most of the investment in Thailand would focus on transportation development including road and rail links.

Mr Arkhom said GMS in its capacity as coordinator for the six member countries would find solutions to problems obstructing a joint investment between the members.

The problems include a difference in rules and regulations between the member countries as well as laying out preparations to cater to human resources for investment in future, he said.

Some 40-60 per cent of the Thai economy is agricultural, and investors wishing to invest in agro-related industries would receive special support, said Mr Arkhom, who is also secretary-general of the National Economic and Social Development Board.

Chinese Prime Minister Li Keqiang was the first foreign government leader to arrive in Thailand to attend the meeting, arriving early today.


-- TNA 2014-12-19

The GMS seems like ASEAN lite, but also seems to undermine ASEAN by being the local club.

Look at the picture. The flags are arranged alphabetically, by English titles...hmm, a little cross cultural contamination seeping in it seems. From left to right (a Western sort, too -- woohoo) it's Cambodia, China, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam -- straight up anglicized alphabetic procession.

Interesting.

"Some 40-60 per cent of the Thai economy is agricultural ..."

That is actually unfortunate for a country that wants to industrialize its economy. Yet that's where it favors investment.

The GMS seems like ASEAN lite, but also seems to undermine ASEAN by being the local club.

Look at the picture. The flags are arranged alphabetically, by English titles...hmm, a little cross cultural contamination seeping in it seems. From left to right (a Western sort, too -- woohoo) it's Cambodia, China, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam -- straight up anglicized alphabetic procession.

Interesting.

Yep, The Mekong had some bad luck ending up passing through this little lot.