PM highlights regional connectivity among Mekong countries

BANGKOK, 6 June 2010 (NNT) – Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has stressed the importance of regional connectivity among the Mekong River basin countries, saying it will help strengthen business competitiveness of the region.

Speaking at a luncheon with his counterparts from Vietnam, Laos, Cambodian, and Myanmar during the World Economic Forum on East Asia 2010 in Vietnam, the prime minister highlighted the importance of regional connectivity and transport links. He said good transportation could support trade, investment, tourism, and regional competitiveness.

Prime Minister Abhisit raised to the attention of the Mekong-region leaders the Thai government’s budget approval to many projects which are aimed for better regional connectivity. Those projects include a road linking northeastern Thailand with Laos, another road linking the Thai eastern province of Rayong with Cambodia, and the fourth Thai-Lao bridge crossing the Mekong River at Chiang Khong District, Chiang Rai Province.

The prime minister then indicated the necessity for the Mekong riparian countries to jointly create food and energy security, encourage training of human resources, and develop natural resources, with the participation of big businesses and local enterprises.

In addition, Prime Minister Abhisit congratulated Vietnam on its success in hosting the meeting. He said he could join the meeting this time because the situation in Thailand had been restored to normalcy while the reconciliation process would be commencing.