Chairman of the State Administration Council Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing attended the 10th Ayeyawady- Chao Phraya-Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy (ACMECS) Summit at Wyndham Grand Hotel in Kunming of the People’s Republic of China on 7 November. Also present at the meeting were Prime Minister of Cambodia H.E. Mr. Hun Manet, Prime Minister of Thailand H.E. Ms. Paetongtarn Shinawatra and party, Prime Minister of Vietnam H.E. Mr. Pham Minh Chich, Prime Minister of Laos H.E. Mr. Sonexay Siphandone, ministers, deputy ministers and senior officers from the member countries and officials.
The Prime Minister of Laos, the Chairman of the Meeting, delivered an opening address. In his speech, the Senior General delivered a speech as follows:
- As the ACMECS is formed with five Mekong region countries, friendly relations of these five countries are based on long-lasting amicability and good neighborhood relations.
- During the years of collaboration, these countries have been able to demonstrate the momentum of our joint efforts in relevant areas through various meetings and the ongoing work being carried out.
- Personally, the Senior General said that he recognizes Thailand's leadership and the collective efforts of ACMECS member countries in successfully negotiating the establishment of the ACMECS Interim Secretariat (AIS) and signing a Memorandum of Understanding between ACMECS member countries and the Mekong Institute (MI).
- The capabilities of the ACMECS Interim Secretariat have further enhanced the momentum of collaboration under the ACMECS framework, contributing significantly to regional integration efforts.
- The interconnected transportation network is a solid foundation for establishing the ACMECS region as a development hub. It is important to develop an integrated transport system that connects all ACMECS countries seamlessly.
- Myanmar aims to enhance infrastructure development to create better cross-border trade opportunities with ACMECS countries and to connect with regional economic corridors.
- Efforts to expand energy transmission and power distribution networks are being made to bridge development gaps between urban and rural areas within the country, benefiting the entire ACMECS region.
- It is necessary to enhance financial and trade cooperation, digital economy, and E-Governance networks among ACMECS countries with secure information and communication technologies.
- Trade and investment are primary drivers for the ACMECS economy, significantly impacting our countries’ GDP, inflation rates, economic growth rates, employment, and social wellbeing.
- By simplifying and reinforcing trade and investment regulations, the economic integration and living standards within the region will be notably improved.
- Myanmar invites development partners of ACMECS member countries to invest and trade.
- Agriculture, the main food production source in the ACMECS region, including Myanmar, is also a crucial livelihood for rural communities, representing the majority of the population in the ACMECS area. Additionally, agriculture plays a role in poverty reduction and reducing development disparities in the region.
- Myanmar is working to promote economic stability and increase employment opportunities nationwide through private sector-led development strategies.
- Tourism development is supporting regional income flows, improving local people’s livelihoods, health care, and education in tourism areas.
- He urged ACMECS countries to foster socio-cultural interactions through tourism development initiatives and to work towards building a peaceful, mutually beneficial ACMECS organization by implementing the "Five Countries, One Destination" program that we have collectively agreed upon.
- As Myanmar now assumes the chairmanship of ACMECS, it is eager to collaborate with fellow member countries to drive the comprehensive and sustainable development of the ACMECS region.
- As Myanmar continues to prioritize cooperation with its neighboring countries in the Mekong subregion, it remains committed to actively collaborating within the ACMECS framework, grounded in the long-standing friendships established among member countries.
After that, the Prime Minister of Laos handed over the role of ACMECS alternate chairman to the Chairman of the State Administration Council, Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing. Following that, the Chairman of the State Administration Council, the Prime Minister expressed the following points:
- Myanmar will make dedicated efforts to develop key development strategies during its tenure as chair of ACMECS, while continuing the progress of previous initiatives, ensuring that all ACMECS member countries can benefit from the regional development programs.
- As the new chairman, he expressed his hope for the continued vision, support, and cooperation of all member countries to overcome challenges and successfully achieve the goals of ACMECS cooperation.
The 10th Ayeyawady – Chao Phraya-Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy (ACMECS) is being held with the goal of enhancing the competitiveness of Mekong countries, particularly in border areas, and making development more productive. It aims to support the relocation of agricultural and manufacturing activities to regions with greater opportunities, create new job prospects, reduce income disparities among member countries, and promote peace, stability, equality, and prosperity, ultimately fostering sustainable and inclusive development for all, report say.
Source: MWD (8-11-2024)
- The interconnected transportation network is a solid foundation for establishing the ACMECS region as a development hub. It is important to develop an integrated transport system that connects all ACMECS countries seamlessly.
- By simplifying and reinforcing trade and investment regulations, the economic integration and living standards within the region will be notably improved.
- Agriculture, the main food production source in the ACMECS region, including Myanmar, is also a crucial livelihood for rural communities, representing the majority of the population in the ACMECS area. Additionally, agriculture plays a role in poverty reduction and reducing development disparities in the region.
- He urged ACMECS countries to foster socio-cultural interactions through tourism development initiatives and to work towards building a peaceful, mutually beneficial ACMECS organization by implementing the "Five Countries, One Destination" program that we have collectively agreed upon.
- Myanmar continues to prioritize cooperation with its neighboring countries in the Mekong subregion.
- Myanmar will make dedicated efforts to develop key development strategies during its tenure as chair of ACMECS, while continuing the progress of previous initiatives, ensuring that all ACMECS member countries can benefit from the regional development programs.