Developing transport infrastructure in tandem with policies and procedures for crossing borders and promoting trade has been central to efforts to interconnect the Greater Mekong Subregion countries.
Transport lies at the heart of Greater Mekong Subregion cooperation. The development of physical infrastructure, such as roads and bridges, in tandem with policies and procedures for crossing borders and developing trade along key routes, has been central to efforts to forge a truly interconnected subregion.
Physically connecting the countries of the subregion was one of the first initiatives of the GMS program when it was founded in 1992. The countries of the Greater Mekong Subregion have acknowledged that in order to cooperate in trade, tourism, and investment, and to realize the other benefits of the region, they must expand the road links and border crossings that connect them.
This is being done through the development of “economic corridors”, which are geographic areas, often along major highways, where a variety of development projects are undertaken to maximize their development benefits. This might include projects involving infrastructure, laws and regulations, market development, and the improvement of urban centers. Economic corridors bring a wide range of benefits, far beyond what single projects deliver in terms of development impact.
The three main GMS corridors—the East–West, North–South and Southern economic corridors—have improved the lives of millions of people in the Greater Mekong Subregion. These corridors are being enhanced with secondary roads that extend their benefits to nearby communities most in need, and other roads that link to strategic seaports in the subregion. The regulatory details of how people and goods can best move along these corridors are also currently being worked out.
Related
For 25 years, six countries in the Greater Mekong Subregion have been promoting regional economic development. Upgrading cross-border transport networks is a key area of investment.
The Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR) began project preparations for a highway that extends from its capital Vientiane to Pakse city in the southern province of Champasak. The project is part of a highway that will connect Vientiane with Viet Nam’s capital Hanoi.
This introduces the green freight approach, which helps improve fuel efficiency and reduce carbon emissions of the transport sector.
This review recommends possible extension and/or realignment of economic corridors to enhance their effectiveness and efficiency in advancing economic integration in the Greater Mekong Subregion.
Myanmar is upgrading the railway linking its two largest cities with assistance from the Government of Japan.
The Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR) and Thailand are planning to build another bridge across the Mekong River.
PHNOM PENH, CAMBODIA (9 January 2018) — The Asian Development Bank today signed three project loan agreements with the Government of Cambodia to provide support for road network improvement, provincial water supply and sanitation, and smallholder farmers development in Tonle Sap.
The Greater Mekong Subregion is one of the fast-growing markets for air transport services today.
Thailand is ramping up infrastructure investments next year in the Eastern Economic Corridor, where all the economic corridors of the Greater Mekong Subregion converge.
