On 9th December 2021, Mr. Rapipit Promnart, Policy and Planning Bureau Director of Neighbouring Countries Economic Development Cooperation Agency (NEDA), attended Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) Program Development Partners’ Meeting held by Asian Development Bank (ADB). Mme. Sisomboun Ounavong, Director General of the Department of International Cooperation, Ministry of Planning and Investment, Lao PDR; acted as a chairman with Mr. Ramesh Subramaniam Director General, Southeast Asia Department ADB.
The meeting aimed to introduce the Greater Mekong Subregion Economic Cooperation Program Strategic Framework 2030 and the Response and Recovery Plan towards the Impacts of COVID-19 Pandemic 2021–2023 (approved by the 7th GMS Summit); as well as updating the steering status according to project plan under Regional Investment Framework-2022, and guidelines for participation to develop the Greater Mekong Subregion Economic Cooperation Program.
Further, Mr. Rapipit mentioned in the meeting, to ensure Development Partners and neighboring countries in GMS, that NEDA would be a part of plan according to what was mentioned above, especially infrastructure development in an aspect of transportation and logistics to make a connection within region, facilitate logistics, develop infrastructure, link energy system, and respond to Coivd-19 situation by developing public health system along the border between Thailand and neighboring countries. NEDA would consider providing academic and financial cooperation to neighboring countries on such matters. NEDA was also ready to continually work with ADB, development partners, and neighboring countries in GMS for region at development.
