24 August 2015: Economic ministers from Japan and Mekong countries agreed to a vision for industrial development in the sub-region, setting a five-year framework for Japanese aid from 2016 to 2020. The framework suggests policy directions for Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand and Viet Nam.

The Seventh Mekong-Japan Economic Ministers’ Meeting took place in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on 24 August 2015, adopting the ‘Mekong Industrial Development Vision.’ The vision document anticipates that the sub-region could play an important role in the Asian value chain of the future, and proposes that Mekong countries should: partner with neighboring countries to strengthen business-to-business collaboration; foster research and development; and strengthen connectivity within the region. It notes current bottlenecks to the development of Mekong supply chains, recommending to streamline customs clearance procedures, improve energy infrastructure, and establish Special Economic Zones in border areas, developing energy efficiency and conservation (EE&C), among other proposed measures for the sub-region. In reference to EE&C, it notes that policies and legal frameworks are especially important for Cambodia, Lao PDR and Myanmar.

Country-specific measures are also suggested, such as the proposed development of deep-sea port facilities in Myanmar to take advantage of the country’s proximity to the Indian sub-continent.

In a press release, Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) said it will cooperate with the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and other to develop activities and timelines as part of a work programme for realizing the vision. METI will report on progress at the Eighth Mekong-Japan Economic Ministers’ Meeting in 2016.

Ministers at the meeting noted the outcomes of the Seventh Mekong-Japan Summit, in 4 July 2015 in Tokyo, which agreed to the ‘New Tokyo Strategy 2015 for Mekong-Japan Cooperation’ (MJC 2015) where Heads of State had stressed the value of enhancing value chains by reflecting each country’s unique advantages and their mutual complementarity.

Mekong-Japan Summits take place every three years. [METI Press Release] [Mekong Industrial Development Vision] [Joint Media Statement of 7th Mekong-Japan Economic Ministers Meeting] [7th Mekong-Japan Summit Webpage] [New Tokyo Strategy 2015 for Mekong-Japan Cooperation]