The Greater Mekong Subregion Development Potentials

2 Mekong River Basin Six Riparian Nations

3 Longitudinal river profile of the Mekong River from source to delta Vertical drop in the river is about 4,500m in China; the river drops only about 500m over the remaining 2,600km to the South China Sea.

4 Thailand Land area: 513 thou sq km Population: 65.8 M GDP per capita: US$3,133 Cambodia Land area: 181 thou sq km Population: 14.1 M GDP per capita: US$510 Myanmar Land area: 677 thou sq km Population: 54.8 M GDP per capita: US$255 (2005) People’s Republic of China Land area: 633 thou sq km Population: 97.3 M GDP per capita: US$1,135 (figures for Yunnan and Guangxi only) Viet Nam Land area: 332 thou sq km Population: 84.1 M GDP per capita: US$724 Lao PDR Land area: 237 thou sq km Population: 5.7 M GDP per capita: US$601 The GMS in 2006 Land area: 2.6 M sq km Population: 323 M GDP per capita: US$1,453* * excludes Myanmar The Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS)

5 Subregional Connectivity in the GMS: Roads Telecommunications Power Transmission Line Subregional Development Trends Intra-subregional connectivity especially in infrastructure will be improved and completed i.e. land transportation, telecoms & ICT, transmission lines and power grids

Building Economic Partnership within the Region Thailand’s Regional Development Outlook Strategic Location Trade & Investment Openness Trade & Investment Openness Competitive Economy Enhanced Connectivity & Efficient Logistics Enhanced Connectivity & Efficient Logistics

JDS – Stability & Security IMT-GT – Avian Influenza Energy, Natural Disaster and Earthquake Security S trengthening Capacity by Promoting Subregional Cooperation ACMECS -- Sister Cities Contract Farming Narrowing Economic Gap GMS -- Connectivity Competitiveness Community ASEAN Economic Community BOT

Promoting the GMS as a Single Tourist Destination 2005: GMS Tourism Sector Strategy ( ) – 1.Mekong River Corridor 2.Golden Triangle 3.East-West Corridor 4.Emerald Triangle 5.Southern Coastal 6.Green Cluster 7.Houphanh-Than-Hoa Oun La Tourism Circuit 8.Andaman Coast and Islands 10. Red River Valley 11. Guangxi-North Vietnam Islands Source: GMS Tourism Sector Strategy ( )

9 Why do we need GMS Cooperation? Connectivity Competitiveness Community Building "The power grid needs to be developed in a coordinated manner through an operating agreement on power trade in order to move toward a competitive subregional electricity market for the GMS." (ADB)

10 Direct Benefits of Power Cooperation Reduce national investment in the power reserves maintained to meet peak demand. Provide a more reliable supply of electricity. Reduce operational costs in the power sector. Cut down on greenhouse gas emissions and other pollutants. Increase access for consumers to cheaper and more environmentally friendly sources of electricity.

11 Energy & Power Establish Energy Power Market - Power Grid - Power Trade Operating Agreement Cross Border Cooperation on Alternative Energy i.e. Biofuels Hydropower & Others Support Energy for the Poor i.e. Rural Electrification, Border Power Trade Myanmar Hydro Potential Thanlwin : 16,000 MW Myanmar Natural Gas Potential Yadana & Yetagun: 7.98 tcf Malaysia Power Exchange Existing 300 MW Future 300 MW Oil & Gas in JDA 5 tcf (Thai Share) Lao PDR Hydro Potential Mekong Tributaries : 5,000 MW Thailand’s Energy Infrastructure: Cooperation with Neighboring Countries