The economic cooperation strategy named after the three rivers involves five countries: Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam.

On the morning of June 23, at the Myanmar International Convention Center in the capital Nay Pyi Taw, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung, along with Myanmar President Thein Sein, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, Lao Prime Minister Thongsinh Thammavong, Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha and ASEAN Secretary General Le Luong Minh attended the 6th Ayeyawady - Chao Phraya - Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy Summit (ACMECS).

The Economic Cooperation Strategy is named after the three main rivers in the Mekong River basin, Ayeyawady - Chao Phraya - Mekong, with the participation of five countries: Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam.

Overview of the conference.

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung and ACMECS leaders acknowledged the progress made in implementing the Action Plan for the 2013-2015 period, especially in transport connectivity, facilitating trade and investment among the five countries, developing transnational economic corridors such as the East-West Economic Corridor, the Southern Economic Corridor, developing green tourism and cooperation in the agricultural sector.

In his opening speech at the conference, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung emphasized the common goal of strengthening complementary cooperation, especially in priority areas, to enhance the competitiveness of economies and promote sustainable development in the sub-region.

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung affirmed: “The Vietnamese Government is vigorously implementing measures to improve the investment and business environment, enhance competitiveness in conjunction with strategic breakthroughs, restructure the economy and innovate the growth model. Vietnam always attaches importance to ACMECS cooperation and is ready to work with member countries and development partners to effectively implement cooperation programs for the prosperity of each country, for peace, stability and prosperity of our entire region…”

Vietnamese delegation attending the conference

Discussing at the conference, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung and ACMECS leaders affirmed their determination to strengthen the traditional friendship and good neighborliness among the five countries and promote ACMECS cooperation for the benefit of the five peoples, for peace and prosperity in the region.

Emphasizing the principle of focused cooperation, not spreading out, only promoting areas where ACMECS has strengths and a streamlined operational structure, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung suggested that ACMECS focus on three contents.

Firstly, promoting cooperation in the agricultural sector with the goal of improving labor productivity, developing the processing industry, forming agricultural value chains in the sub-region and gradually integrating into regional and global value chains...

Second, facilitate border traffic and trade, especially along sub-regional economic corridors, in which countries need to coordinate to develop new policies to promote trade, investment and form new transport routes connecting the five countries, and promptly deploy a one-stop inspection model at border gates along the East-West economic corridor and the Southern economic corridor.

The Prime Minister spoke at the conference.

Third, cooperation in sustainable development of the Ayeyawady - Chao Phraya - Mekong river basin, especially in the management and sustainable use of water and natural resources, response to natural disasters and climate change, and coordination in conducting joint assessments of transboundary environmental impacts...

The Prime Minister also stated that member countries need to encourage and facilitate the business sector to participate in ACMECS cooperation projects, and enhance dialogue between the ACMECS Business Council and government representatives to ensure a continuous information channel and practical cooperation.

The 6th Ayeyawady-Chao Phraya-Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy Summit adopted the Action Plan for the period 2016-2018 with the goal of enhancing the competitiveness of the economies, making ACMECS a leading destination for investment and tourism, forming a unified production base in the ACMECS region, especially in border areas, and taking advantage of new development opportunities brought about by the ASEAN Economic Community and free trade agreements.

Eight priority areas of cooperation were identified, including: trade and investment facilitation, agriculture, industrial and energy cooperation, transport connectivity, tourism, human resource development, health care, and environmental cooperation.

The Conference adopted the Joint Statement of the Conference and agreed to hold the 7th ACMECS Summit in Vietnam.

Also this morning, the Leaders had a dialogue with representatives of the ACMECS business sector.

At the meeting, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung highly appreciated the contributions of the business sector to the socio-economic development of ACMECS countries and encouraged businesses to participate more deeply and actively in the process of building and implementing ACMECS cooperation programs, proactively proposing initiatives and contributing ideas to cooperation activities.

The Prime Minister also emphasized the Vietnamese Government's efforts in restructuring the economy, comprehensively integrating internationally, enhancing national competitiveness and improving the investment and business environment./.

According to VOV