Quang Ninh (VNA) – The seventh seminar on Vietnam-Cambodia-Laos cooperation took place in Vietnam’s northern province of Quang Ninh on October 15, highlighting the significance of economic ties between the three countries. The annual event was held by the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences (VASS), the Royal Academy of Cambodia (RAC), and the Lao Academy of Social Sciences (LASS). Nguyen Xuan Thang, Director of the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics, said the seminar is an occasion for scientists to share information about current and issues affecting development in the three countries, the region, and the world. It is also important for its role in enhancing cooperation amongst the three academies. VASS Vice President Bui Nhat Quang said Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos have always stood side-by-side and closely cooperated with one another in the fight for national independence in the past, as well as the more recent process of nation building and defence. Their … [Read more...] about Seminar highlights Vietnam-Cambodia-Laos economic links
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Vietnam attends Lower Mekong Initiative Ministerial Meeting
At the event (Source: VNA) Singapore (VNA) – A Vietnamese delegation led by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh attended the 11th Lower Mekong Initiative (LMI) Ministerial Meeting in Singapore on August 3. Speaking at the event, Deputy PM Minh described LMI as one of the leading sub-regional mechanisms on facilitating sustainable and inclusive development. He spoke highly of achievements in cooperation projects regarding infrastructure, training, connectivity and businesses, as well as the US’s support for Mekong countries and LMI cooperation over the past nine years. In order to further reinforce the LMI collaboration, the Vietnamese official proposed that the US should increase its sharing of experience with Mekong countries in training skilled workforce and development research. Minh called for stronger cooperation to enhance agricultural output, improve the agriculture sector’s capacity of coping with climate change and … [Read more...] about Vietnam attends Lower Mekong Initiative Ministerial Meeting
PM to attend ACMECS 8, CLMV 9 in Thailand
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on June 11 that the attendance will be made at the invitation of Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen. Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc ACMECS is a cooperation framework amongst Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam to utilize the member countries’ diverse strengths and to promote balanced development in the sub-region. It was established in April 2003 under the initiative of then Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. Vietnam officially joined the summit in 2004 during the first ACMECS ministers’ meeting, which was held in Thailand in November that year. The CLMV is an open cooperation mechanism aiming to promote potential and advantages of Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam, and call for support from other ASEAN countries as well as partners for the four countries. The CLMV Summit was first held in 2004. Source: VNA … [Read more...] about PM to attend ACMECS 8, CLMV 9 in Thailand
Thailand plans regional infrastructure fund
At the 7th Ayeyawady – Chao Phraya – Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy (ACMECS) Summit in Hanoi (Photo: VNA) Bangkok (VNA) – Thailand plans to take the lead in creating a regional fund with its neighbours, including Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam, to back infrastructure and other development projects. Arthayudh Srisamoot, deputy permanent secretary of Thailand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha is expected to propose the idea to the leaders of the five countries at the 8th summit of the Ayeyawady-Chao Phraya-Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy (ACMECS) in Thailand on June 16. The fund will be operational by 2019, he said, adding that Thailand is set to contribute a substantive initial figure. It will raise money through the stock and bond markets by issuing debt for projects such as in power generation as initiated by ACMECS. Contributions from financial institutions and countries outside the ACMECS framework are … [Read more...] about Thailand plans regional infrastructure fund
Rural poor squeezed by land concessions in Vietnam, Mekong neighbors: report
Companies acquired concessions amounting to the size of a small European country, while rural residents of Southeast Asia’s Mekong region saw their landholdings shrink or disappear over the past two decades, according to researchers. More than 5.1 million hectares of land - an area larger than Slovakia - were granted for mining and agricultural concessions in Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam, according to a report by the non-profit Mekong Region Land Governance (MRLG). At the same time, forest areas have declined, said the report released on Monday by MRLG, which is based in Laos’ capital, Vientiane, and promotes better land use policies. “While agricultural output and exports are growing in the Mekong as a result of the concessions, the benefits have not reached smallholders and indigenous people,” said Micah Ingalls at the Center for Development and Environment in Vientiane. “They are being undermined by policies that fail to ensure their … [Read more...] about Rural poor squeezed by land concessions in Vietnam, Mekong neighbors: report