Thai PM proclaims 5th GMS Summit a success

BANGKOK, December 20 (TNA) - The two-day 5th Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) Summit, set to be held in Bangkok from December 19-20, ended on Saturday afternoon, with Thai Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-ocha proclaiming it a success. Hailing the successful GMS Summit when delivering his speech to close the two-day regional gathering at the Shangri-La Hotel in the capital, the Thai prime minister noted that member countries have agreed to work together to promote connectivity and economic development in the sub-region. The Thai prime minister pointed out the two-day GMS summit was a success, as it was able to draw together leaders of the member countries and, thus, further helped foster tie, friendship and trust among them. The six GMS member countries members are Cambodia, China, Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam and Thailand. The Thai leader said all the GMS member countries agreed to take a people-oriented approach in regional development with national governments taking a lead in policy determination and implementation. Besides, they also agreed to prioritize interests of the sub-region over national interests and regard each member state as a partnership, rather than a competitor, in implementing strategies to promote connectivity and well-being of people in the region. The Thai prime minister also said Thailand’s peaceful situation and stability form a basis for the country’s successful organisaiton of the summit. The 6th GMS Summit will be held in Vietnam in 2017. Meanwhile, Thai Deputy Transport Minister Arkom Termpitayapaisit then told reporters that the summit agreed on a five-year regional investment plan, worth 30 billion baht, most of which or 44 per cent, will come from China, followed by Laos at 26 per cent and Thailand at 26 per cent. The Thai deputy transport minister stated that financial sources are from China and the Asian Development Bank (ADB). (TNA)