BANGKOK, 18th April 2018, (NNT) – The Ministry of Commerce has signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Projects of the Mekong-Lancang Cooperation Special Fund with the Government of China, and another Memorandum of Understanding on the implementation of development projects with Mekong Institute. 

The event was attended by the Commerce Minister, Sontirat Sontijirawong, the Permanent Secretary for Commerce, Nuntawan Sakuntanaga, the Mekong Institute Executive Director, Dr. Watcharas Leelawath, the Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Thailand, Lyu Jian, and other officials. 

In his opening remarks, Mr. Sontirat said that the Mekong-Lancang Cooperation (MLC) group, aims to enhance sustainable development and eliminate disparities in the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS). The minister thanked the Government of China for providing Thailand with funding from the MLC special fund amounting to 60 million baht. The subsidy will facilitate projects proposed by the Ministry of Commerce to develop Special Economic Zones (SEZs), Cross-Border Trade (CBT), Business Forums, and Rural E-Commerce. He stressed that all development plans will benefit local people. 

Then Mr. Lyu Jian asserted that Lancang-Mekong Cooperation (LMC) will lead to the greater prosperity of the region. China is now promoting market access and investment. Its policies will bolster economic activities in the area. The ambassador highlighted that the event represents a milestone in Lancang-Mekong Cooperation. 

In the ceremony, Mrs. Nuntawan and Mr. Lyu Jian signed the MoU on Projects of the Mekong-Lancang Cooperation Special Fund. Then Mrs. Nuntawan and Dr. Watcharas signed the MoU on the implementation of development projects.