The Mekong-Japan International Conference on the East-West EconomicCorridor (EWEC) and the Southern Economic Corridor (SEC) opened inBangkok, Thailand, on September 9.
Theconference attracted representatives from five countries along thecorridors, including Thailand , Vietnam , Cambodia , Laos andMyanmar , and the main provider of capital, Japan , as well asexperts from international financial institutes such as the World Bank,the Asian Development Bank, the UN agency in Asia-Pacific and the MekongRiver Committee.
The participants discussed problems with the two economic corridors as well as difficulties in exploiting them.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Thailand ’s Foreign MinisterKasit Piromya, said that the EWEC and the SEC were instigated by theGreater Mekong Sub region (GMS) in 1998. One decade later, the EWEC hasalmost been completed in terms of infrastructure.
He confirmed that Thailand will serve as the main coordinator for other related projects.
Meanwhile, Japan’s State Secretary for Foreign Affairs, OsamuFujimura, aid that to make the best use of the two economic corridors,it is necessary to establish effective customs services and harmoniseregulations and standards while stepping up investment and trade anddeveloping local industries.
He added that Japan has pledged to continue its financial and technical support for both corridors./.
Theconference attracted representatives from five countries along thecorridors, including Thailand , Vietnam , Cambodia , Laos andMyanmar , and the main provider of capital, Japan , as well asexperts from international financial institutes such as the World Bank,the Asian Development Bank, the UN agency in Asia-Pacific and the MekongRiver Committee.
The participants discussed problems with the two economic corridors as well as difficulties in exploiting them.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Thailand ’s Foreign MinisterKasit Piromya, said that the EWEC and the SEC were instigated by theGreater Mekong Sub region (GMS) in 1998. One decade later, the EWEC hasalmost been completed in terms of infrastructure.
He confirmed that Thailand will serve as the main coordinator for other related projects.
Meanwhile, Japan’s State Secretary for Foreign Affairs, OsamuFujimura, aid that to make the best use of the two economic corridors,it is necessary to establish effective customs services and harmoniseregulations and standards while stepping up investment and trade anddeveloping local industries.
He added that Japan has pledged to continue its financial and technical support for both corridors./.
