GMS Contents


The GMS ministers called for a Transport and Trade Facilitation Action Program to enhance the cross-border flow of goods and people, and for a coordinated approach to developing urban areas throughout the region. A vendor selling different products in a market in Thailand. Photo: ADB.

Ministers Endorse Plans to Develop New Special Economic Zones in Mekong

KUNMING, PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA (11 June 2015) – Government ministers and senior officials attending the Greater Mekong Subregion Seventh Economic Corridors Forum today agreed on measures to promote the development of economic corridors, facilitate cross-border transport and trade, and enhance cooperation and private sector participation.


GMS Economic Corridors Forum Looks to Enhance Cross-Border Trade

KUNMING, PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA (10 June 2015) – Ministers and senior officials from the six Greater Mekong Subregion countries and the Vice-President of the Asian Development Bank will convene tomorrow at the 7th GMS Economic Corridors Forum to discuss how to further develop economic corridors, facilitate cross-border transport and trade, and enhance cooperation and private sector participation – including the development of Special Economic Zones.



GMS East-West Economic Corridor. This aerial view of the border check point on the Lao side of the Mekong River shows the second Thai–Lao  Friendship Bridge, which connects Mukdahan province in Thailand with Savannakhet in the Lao People's Democratic Republic. Photo: ADB.

10th GMS Economic Corridors Forum (ECF-10)

The Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) Economic Corridors Forum (ECF) in 2018 marks the 20th year of the GMS economic corridor development approach since its formal adoption at the 6th GMS Ministerial Conference in 1998 to accelerate subregional development. It is the 10th year of the forum since its inaugural meeting in Kunming, People’s Republic of China (PRC) in 2008. This is also the first ECF following the 6th GMS Summit in March 2018, which adopted the Hanoi Action Plan 2018–2022 that has among its key elements a spatial strategy focused on the economic corridors.


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