Bangkok (United Nations Information Services) - The United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) is expected to unveil a comprehensive programme to boost private sector development in the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) at a forthcoming meeting of the private sector and high level policy makers.
ESCAP, in collaboration with the Royal Thai Government and the Asian Development Bank, is organizing a "Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) Business Sector Meeting" at the United Nations Conference Center in Bangkok on 9 February 2000. The meeting, funded by the Government of Japan, will be held in conjunction with Thailand Board of Investment (BOI)'s GMS Business Workshop scheduled for 10-11 February 2000 at the Central Grand Plaza Hotel. Policy makers, high level representatives from private sector including business associations from the GMS and donor agencies will meet to examine practical measures for the private sector development in the subregion.
"In order to maximize the great potential for economic development and prosperity in the GMS, which comprises of Cambodia, Yunnan Province of China, the Lao People's Democratic Republic, Myanmar, Thailand and Viet Nam, the driving force for trade growth must emanate from the private sector," said an ESCAP expert.
"Therefore, ESCAP in close collaboration with the Asian Development Bank, other donor agencies and the GMS business sector, has been striving to enhance private sector development in the GMS through the framework of three different initiatives, namely the Forum for the Comprehensive Development of Indo-China, the Advisory Assistance to Industry for Export Promotion and the GMS Trade Facilitation Working Group."
Under these initiatives, ESCAP has formulated a comprehensive approach to business sector development in the GMS, which is called the Hi-Fi Plan. The approach involves four main strategies:
· H - Human resource development at the enterprise level, including a series of targeted management training initiatives;
· I - Institutional capacity building of private sector associations and chambers of commerce and industry, advisory services to exporters and the creation of a GMS Business Support Center;
· F - Facilitation measures, especially in the area of trade and related procedures and
· I -Investment promotion through increased interface between the foreign and domestic business communities and creation of a stronger enabling environment for investment.
The upcoming Meeting of the GMS business sector will provide an opportunity to brief the participating organizations and officials on the ESCAP initiatives as well as ADB's GMS Programme. ESCAP will amplify the role of the business sector in the activities of the Hi-Fi Plan, and explain how their participation and feedback can be instrumental in the success of such activities.
For more information, please contact Mr Ravi Sawhney, Director, International Trade and Industry Division, ESCAP, Bangkok, Thailand (Tel: +66-2-288-1956, Fax: +66-2-288-1026 or 1027, or E-mail: trade_inf.escap@un.org).