Forum Emphasizes Importance of Even Economic Recovery in the GMS

Thailand’s Ministry of Commerce’s Trade Policy and Strategy Office (TPSO) organized the CLMVT+ Forum 2021 [3] on 24-26 August. The forum highlighted the TPSO study emphasizing the importance of achieving an even economic recovery in the GMS. The study notes the need to (i) improve cross-border trade by using digital technology; (ii) strengthen cooperation under the framework of regional free trade agreements; (iii) render public sector support to help micro, small, and medium enterprises grow sustainably through digital commerce; and (iv) promote environmentally friendly trade and investment.

Thailand Deputy Prime Minister Jurin Laksanawisit reiterated the need for cooperation among Cambodia, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Myanmar, Thailand, and Viet Nam (CLMVT) and their trading partners post-COVID-19 to make the region a center for trade and investment.

The GMS 2030 and Beyond: Integration, Upgrading, Cities, and Connectivity [4]examines the extent of integration of the GMS into the global economy, looking into GMS economies’ current level of global integration, current export structure and specialization, and extent of similarity of their export structures and specialization