All six members in the Greater Mekong Sub-region (GMS) agreed here Sunday to call for stronger participation of enterprises of different economic sectors in the implementation of GMS Cross-Border Transport Agreement (CBTA), the development of export markets, and improvement of investment environments.
"The strong, active and committed participation of the private sector and the GMS business community is imperative if the CBTA is to be implemented effectively.. Efforts must be directed at organizing and institutionalizing the participation of private enterprises involved in the CBTA process such as traders, transport operators, logistics providers and other market players to ensure that they act as one industry and that even smaller players are properly represented," said Hoang Van Dung, chairman of the GMS Business Forum, at the GMS Business and Investment Dialogue.
The business forum is considering the establishment of a GMS freight transporters' association at regional level, he said, noting that such a transport association would harmonize and coordinate the accreditation and licensing of transport operators. At the dialogue, business representatives from the six countries --Laos, China, Vietnam, Myanmar, Cambodia and Thailand -- shared the view that enabling small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to fully partake in international trade lies at the core of sharpening the GMS's competitive edge.
SMEs should participate in global value chains, in which they can specialize in supplying specific product components, acquire better technologies and skills, and over time enhance competitiveness in the international market, said Jingjai Hanchanlash, the forum's former chairman.
"Coordinated sub-regional training workshops should be conducted on the general requirements of participating in value chains.. Clusters of SME export suppliers should be set up along the borders of the GMS economic corridors to ease sourcing problems faced by foreign buyers," he said.
During the dialogue, the representatives also agreed that enterprises in the sub-region, through the GMS Business Forum, can directly participate in implementing the GMS Cross-Border Transport Agreement by disseminating regulations stated in the accord, and sharing information and contributing ideas during the implementation process.
After the dialogue, the representatives briefed the prime ministers of the six countries about their discussions, especially their recommendations for improved business and investment climate in the sub-region, said Nguyen Tuan Hai, from the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
During the 3rd GMS Summit in Laos' Vientiane capital from March 30-31, GMS leaders and representatives from international organizations like the Asian Development Bank are to touch upon connectivity and competitiveness issues such as the establishment of transport corridors, power interconnection systems and telecommunications networks, improvement of infrastructure links, and measures to facilitate the cross-border movement of goods and services.
Source:Xinhua
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