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Agribusiness is a catalyst for development and investments along the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) economic corridors. The focus of the Climate-Friendly Agribusiness Value Chains Sector Project is to help transform GMS transport corridors into economic corridors by developing upstream and downstream linkages in agribusiness supply chains in a climate-friendly manner.
The project is included in the Regional Investment Framework 2022, the medium-term pipeline of priority projects in the GMS Program. It is also the first to be implemented under the subregion’s agricultural value chain strategy. Read more.
Download: Strategy for Promoting Safe and Environment-Friendly Agro-Based Value Chains in the Greater Mekong Subregion and Siem Reap Action Plan, 2018-2022
Plus: Using Barcodes to Track Food Safety from Farm to Table in the Mekong Region
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Economic zones hold unique health risks for both workers and communities, but they also offer opportunities to protect workers’ productivity and improve community health. Photo: ADB.
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Economic zones are growth engines of the Greater Mekong Subregion, stimulating economic activity and creating jobs. Yet, not much attention has been given to the social and health aspects of economic zone development until recently.
In August, a regional consultation forum in Ho Chi Minh City explored harmonized approaches to health risk management in economic zones, including using a health impact assessment framework for the subregion. Read more.
Download: A Health Impact Assessment Framework for Special Economic Zones in the Greater Mekong Subregion
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The implementation of the Cross-Border Transport Facilitation Agreement is expected to make the movement of goods and services across borders in the subregion faster, easier, cheaper, more compliant, and more inclusive. Photo: ADB.
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Easier Transport and Trade in the Greater Mekong Subregion
GMS countries have started issuing GMS Road Transport Permits and Temporary Admission Documents (TADs) for cargo and passenger vehicles as agreed in the MOU on the “Early Harvest” Implementation of the GMS Cross-Border Transport Facilitation Agreement (CBTA). Myanmar will join the Early Harvest implementation in 2020.
Vehicles with permits and TADs can travel on any of the routes and across any of the border crossings listed in CBTA Protocol 1 within the 30-day limit per permit. This reduces time and resources for border checking/processing, minimizes the need for transshipment to further reduce damage to goods, and ultimately facilitate transport and trade among GMS countries.
The ‘Early Harvest’ Implementation has been operational since 1 August 2018. For more information, download the Early Harvest brochures.
Related: Nittsu Logistics (Thailand) obtains GMS Road Transport Permit
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Sector Updates
Agriculture: Representatives of the six GMS countries met in Pu’er, Yunnan Province in the People’s Republic of China on 29–30 May 2018 for the 15th Meeting of the Working Group on Agriculture to review the achievements and progress made under the Core Agriculture Support Program Phase II. Read more.
Energy: The Regional Power Trade Coordination Committee convened its 24th meeting, with back-to-back meetings of the Working Group on Performance Standards and Grid Codes and Working Group on Regulatory Issues, on 19–20 June 2018 in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar. The meetings discussed the progress made by the working groups and their plans, and activities to support cross-border power interconnections and trade in the subregion. Read more.
Tourism: The 41st Meeting of the GMS Tourism Working Group was held on 25 June 2018 in Nakhon Phanom, Thailand back-to-back with the Mekong Tourism Forum (MTF) 2018 on 26–29 June. The meeting discussed the achievements in the last 4 years and reviewed the implementation of the Tourism Infrastructure for Inclusive Growth project. Read more.
Transport: The 22nd Meeting of the GMS Subregional Transport Forum was held in Mandalay, Myanmar on 21–22 June 2018. The forum discussed ways toward achieving the thrusts and priorities set in the new transport strategy and other important issues. Read more.
Urban Development: The 2nd Meeting of the GMS Urban Development Working Group was held in Manila, Philippines on 4–5 July 2018. The agenda included updates to the urban portfolio under the GMS Regional Investment Framework; information sharing on regional projects financed by the Asian Development Bank in transport health, and tourism in the subregion and in South Asia; and the revised approach and future pipeline of the GMS Corridor Towns Development Project. Read more.
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Knowledge
A Health Impact Assessment Framework for Special Economic Zones in the Greater Mekong Subregion
The framework serves as a guide to manage health risks and impacts in economic zones of the subregion and address transboundary issues associated with human migration. Read more.
Projecting Industrial Pollution in the Greater Mekong Subregion
Applying the Industrial Pollution Projection System is an important first step toward mainstreaming pollution concerns into strategic planning in the Greater Mekong Subregion. Read more.
Multimedia
High-value Crop Boosts Farmers' Income in Lao PDR
New value crops like Japanese cucumbers are helping farmers in the Lao People's Democratic Republic maximize their land and generate additional income. Watch the video.
New Rice Variety Helps Lift Thai Farmers out of Poverty
A new variety of rice is now helping smallholder farmers in North Thailand out of poverty, while also improving their diet. Watch the video.
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Upcoming Events
3rd GMS CBTA Joint Committee Retreat and CBTA Early Harvest Launch Ceremony
September 2018
24th Annual Meeting of the GMS Working Group on Environment
Fourth Quarter 2018
National Transport Facilitation Committee Senior Officials’ Meeting
October 2018
42nd Meeting of the GMS Tourism Working Group
December, Phu Quoc Island, Kien Giang Province, Viet Nam
2nd Meeting of the GMS Working Group on Health Cooperation
10-11 December 2018, Yangon, Myanmar
10th GMS Economic Corridors Forum
12-13 December 2018, Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar
25th Meeting of the Regional Power Trade Coordination Committee
17-19 December 2018, Thailand
National Transport Facilitation Committee Preparatory Senior Officials’ Meeting
December 2018
7th Meeting of the Joint Committee for GMS CBTA
December 2018
Download the GMS Calendar.
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