GMS in the News


The development of night markets in three towns along the Mekong River aims to help revitalize the Greater Mekong Subregion and reduce poverty. Photo credit: Javier Coloma Brotons.

Increasing Economic Activities through Night Markets

A pilot project has developed night markets in selected border towns in the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) to take advantage of the economic opportunities opened by infrastructure projects in the area.


The project will help install eight modernized irrigation systems in five drought-affected provinces, which will improve agricultural productivity in Viet Nam. Photo: ADB.

ADB Project to Modernize Irrigation Systems, Improve Agricultural Productivity in Viet Nam

HA NOI, VIET NAM (27 November 2018) — The Asian Development Bank has approved over $100 million in financing to help the Government of Viet Nam install eight modernized irrigation systems in five drought-affected provinces, which will improve agricultural productivity, especially among farmers growing high-value crops such as coffee, peppers, grapes, dragon fruits, and mangoes.


Jars of coffŽee for sale in Ha Noi. Viet Nam has registered geographical indications for coffee and tea products, such as Buon Ma Thuot coffee, which is produced in the Central Highlands. Photo: brians101/iStock.com.

Made in the GMS: How GI Certification Can Boost Food Exports

In the Greater Mekong Subregion, countries have started to adopt laws and policies on geographical indications to protect locally sourced products that are made using traditional methods in their region of origin.


Countries in the Greater Mekong Subregion are taking a regional approach to food policy to protect the interests of consumers and suppliers in both domestic and export markets. Photo: ADB.

Establishing a Sustainable Food Supply for the Greater Mekong Subregion

A regional approach to food policy driven by business and public interests can better protect consumers and suppliers in both domestic and export markets, support scaling up of production, and facilitate market access and Greater Mekong Subregion product branding and marketing.


Lao PDR Deputy Minister of Finance Ms. Thipphakone Chanthavongsa (right) and ADB Country Director for Lao PDR Mr. Yasushi Negishi (left) after signing the grant agreement on 6 September 2018 in Vientiane. Senior officials from line ministries witnessed the signing.  

ADB, Lao PDR Sign Agreement to Promote Sustainable, Climate-Smart Agribusiness

VIENTIANE, LAO PEOPLE’S DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC (7 September 2018) — The Asian Development Bank and the Government of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic signed an agreement for a $40.5 million grant for the Climate-Friendly Agribusiness Value Chains Sector Project that will help farmers and agribusinesses develop sustainable and climate-smart agriculture value chains in the country.


Farmers dry cassava on an open field. The Climate-Friendly Agribusiness Value Chains Sector Project will improve the productivity, efficiency, and climate-resilience of agriculture value chains of farmers along the Greater Mekong Subregion economic corridors. Photo: ADB.

Investing in Climate-Smart Agriculture Value Chains in the Greater Mekong Subregion

The Climate-Friendly Agribusiness Value Chains Sector Project is helping transform transport corridors in the Greater Mekong Subregion into economic corridors by developing upstream and downstream linkages in agribusiness supply chains in a climate-friendly manner.


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