Bangkok to host 5th GMS Summit next week

BANGKOK, December 13 (TNA) - The 5th Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) Summit will be held in Bangkok next week, according to Deputy Transport Minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith. Arkhom, also secretary-general of the National Economic and Social Development Board (NESDB), said NESDB in joint cooperation with Asian Development Bank would organise the 5th GMS summit at the Shangri La Hotel in Bangkok between December 19 – 20. The meeting entitled ‘Committed to Inclusive and Sustainable Development in the GMS’ will be attended by more than 500 senior officials including prime ministers General Prayut Chan-ocha, Hun Sen of Cambodia, Li Keqiang of China, Thongsing Thammavong of Laos and President Thein Sein of Myanmar. President of ADB Takehiko Nakao will also attend the summit, said Arkhom. Government leaders of GMS member countries are expected to approvethe Regional Investment Framework (RIF), which comprises 215 operational plans under the 10 categories. Some 123 investment plans with total value of about 51.28 billion U.S. dollars involve transportation, energy, agriculture and environment. For Thailand alone, there are a total of 78 investment plans and assistance projects with total value of over 5 billion U.S. dollars. Majority of the investment will be spent on transportation. The GMS countries are Cambodia, the People's Republic of China, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Myanmar, Thailand, and Viet Nam. Progress on several activities such as plans to set up a centre on buying and selling of electricity among GMS member countries, an establishment of railway association among GMS members and a transportation across countries along the Mekong River is also expected to be reported during the meeting. (TNA)