Copyright © FIHRD 2013. (1) What is GMS Cambodia China (Yunnan & Guanxi) Laos Myanmar Thailand Vietnam.

Copyright © FIHRD 2013

Prof. Dr. Chira HongladaromSecretary-General of FIHRD

AEC2015-Thailand as a hub for the Greater Mekong Subregion Implication to Hong

Kong

(1) What is GMS

• Cambodia• China (Yunnan & Guanxi)• Laos• Myanmar• Thailand • Vietnam

(2) It is called GMS because Mekong river linkages and also because Asian Development Bank (ADB) consider GMS as a projects for financial support

GMS

(3) What it is important?

• Rich in natural resources• Potential energy supply

especially hydro electric power • Young population• Emerging from state planning

economy to market economy

(4) Why it is important to Thailand

• Geographically borders • People similar like – Laos

people speak Thai• People in Yunnan – some of

there are Thai origins• Way of life similar – Buddhism,• Similar race • Historical linkages for long

time.

(5) GMS is more important now because of ASEAN 2015 to be implemented in December 2015. Except China,all the GMS countries are in ASEAN and China is a part of ASEAN+6

(6) ASEAN 2015 has 3 components

• Economic co-operation

• Social and cultural linkage

• Political and

security Issues

In economic areas- because GMS, except Thailand, The economy is still weak, AEC will reduce the gap of rich countries in ASEAN and the weaker ASEAN members (GMS) so that all ASEAN economy will be strong as economic blog to deal with future globalization.

(7) Why Thailand is considered the Hub in GMS

First logistics and geography. Thailand is well placed to play a role in linking all the GMS countries through transportation system.

• We have many bridges across the Mekong rivers from Thailand to Laos further to Vietnam and China, one from Nong khai, Mukdahan , Chiang rai and Nakornpanom

- Thailand can link GMS with the rest of ASEAN countries in the south ,Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei and Indonesia

- Thailand is located half way between China and India

(8) Second

Thailand can play a big role in GMS tourism

A good example that my foundation is working with Myanmar gov’t to promote tourism is to develop tourism manpower with universities in Myanmar.

Meeting with H.E. U Ba Shwe, Deputy Minister of Education

Seminar on " Cultural Conservation in Myanmar Cultural Heritage Sites and Culture as the Tourism Related”

(1st – 3rd October 2012) , Asia Plaza Hotel Yangon, Myanmar

Opening Remarks by: H.E. Minister U Aye Myint Kyu Union Minister, Ministry of Culture

Government of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar 

Workshop & activities

• Thailand and GMS including China can work together in the field of Hydro-Electricity, Alternativeand green and energy – Biogas – Biomass and Energy conservation and Rural Electricity

Finally, Thailand can play a role as leader agricultural processing industries since GMS have abundant land and labor

The raw materials can come from these countries and being processed in Thailand.

In the future GMS can export food and agriculture processing to the rest of the world

(9) Why GMS is important to Hong Kong

• Hong Kong is part of Asia and part of China

• Hong Kong is rich in market economy experiences

• Hong Kong has a lot of experience in services industries, especially in supply chain system, free corruption practice, best universities in Asia

• The point of my talk should be the beginning of Hong Kong-GMS-Thailand co-operation

• How to do it

- First set up a small task force to study the GMS-Hong Kong,

Thailand-China co-operation

• May be start with research to see the gap and opportunities

- My suggestion is to start with 3 groups of people: business people/academics and gov’t

• I want to see Hong Kong play increasing role in GMS

• Why not, in APEC you play a very important role

Do again for GMS- I will be willing to

join your effort

25

Chira Academy

Email : [email protected]

www.chiraacademy.com

Foundation for International Human Resource Development

Tel: 66-2619-0512 – 3

Fax: 66-2273-0181

www.fihrd.org

Thank You

26

Chira Academy

Email : [email protected]

www.chiraacademy.com

Foundation for International Human Resource Development

Tel: 66-2619-0512 – 3

Fax: 66-2273-0181

www.fihrd.org

Thank You

27

Learning with us online:Blog Community

• www.chiraacademy.com• www.gotoknow.org/blog/chiraacademy• https://www.facebook.com/dr.chirahongladarom