GMS leaders and reprsentatiives pose for a photo during the innaugural conference. (Photo: Sun Guangyong)

Dr. Supachai Panitchpakdi delivers a keynote address for the 1st annual GMS Losgistcs conference in Bangkok, Thailand on September 3, 2018. (Photo: Sun Guangyong)

Bangkok (People's Daily)- The first International Conference on the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) Logistics Thailand 2018 concluded September 5. TCEB Sr. VP, Nichapa Yoswee said co-hosting the event was a marketing tool to help drive regional economic growth for the future three corridors.

Comprised of six countries including Cambodia, China's Yunnan Province, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam, the inaugural event was an opportunity for networking and marketing.

Former Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO), Dr. Supachai Panitchpakdi, delivered a keynote address titled, “GMS: Success and the Next Step.” He touched on the three main corridors that will include the North-South Economic Corridor (NSEC) consisting of Thailand, Myanmar, Lao PDR, and Southern China.

The East-West Economic Corridor links Vietnam, Laos PDR, Thailand and Myanmar with connectivity between the South China Sea and the Andaman Sea.  

Southern Economic Corridor (SEC), links Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam. This corridor is a key economic and tourism route between Thailand and Cambodia.

The Thai government is focused on the “Thailand 4.0” initiative and the Greater Mekong sub-region (GMS) market. Cross-border trade value between Thailand and neighboring countries reached 300 billion baht in the first six months of 2018. Last year tourism from Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam surged 142 percent, and the number of Chinese trading partners increased by 75 percent.

Thai government leaders launched an initiative that will make large-scale infrastructure investment easier. The development of the “Thailand Riviera,” along with regional airports and ocean cruise routes will bolster inbound tourism revenue.