Governor visits Laos and Myanmar from June 6 to 11; works to open up new markets
and enhance official development assistance

◇ Gyeonggi Province Governor Nam
Kyung-pil is visiting Laos and Myanmar from June 6 to 11 in order to open up
new markets in the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) and enhance
cooperation in the form of official development assistance. ⓒ Gyeonggi Provincial Government 

Gyeonggi Province Governor Nam
Kyung-pil is visiting Laos and Myanmar from June 6 to 11 in order to open up
new markets in the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) and enhance
cooperation in the form of official development assistance. 

ASEAN is a regional
cooperative organization in Southeast Asia that was launched in 1967. At
present, ASEAN has ten member countries including Indonesia, Singapore,
Myanmar, and Laos. 

ASEAN launched the ASEAN
Economic Community (AEC), hailed as the Southeast Asian iteration of the EU,
which has garnered attention from around the world as a new market. The ASEAN bloc
has a total population of 630 million and a combined GDP of USD 2.7 trillion. 

The Korean government hosted
the Mekong-ROK Meeting with five other countries – Laos, Myanmar, Cambodia,
Vietnam, and Thailand – and continues to cooperate in infrastructure
construction and inland waterway transportation.  

The Mekong region is a
promising new market with significant potential; it is currently registering
rapid economic development of 5 to 10% per year. The region has been identified
as a likely target for Korean small and medium enterprises.  

Since visiting Indonesia and
Singapore to cultivate the ASEAN market, Governor Nam Kyung-pil has continued
his strategic approach towards new markets in the ASEAN bloc by visiting
Vietnam in April as well. 

The Gyeonggi Provincial
Government noted that Governor Nam is also visiting the two countries to
enhance its official development assistance (ODA) projects and to strengthen
the possibility for inter-regional cooperation. The provincial government referred
to his visit as a form of summit diplomacy that is geared to help small and
medium enterprises in Gyeonggi Province expand into the Mekong region.  

Gyeonggi Province has created a
platform for cooperation through continued ODA projects in Laos and Myanmar.  

Gyeonggi Province has carried
out 10 ODA projects in Laos since 2008, and is scheduled to host three projects
including an invitational workshop for senior government officials (including
the Vice Governor of Vientiane) and a school construction project. In Myanmar,
the Gyeonggi Province has plans for an invitational workshop for senior
government officials of the Ministry of Industry as well as a youth education
project.  

Governor Nam’s itinerary will take
him to Vientiane City, the capital of Laos and holder of the Chairmanship of
ASEAN, as well as Naypyidaw City, the capital of both Myanmar and the state of
Yangon.  

Governor Nam is expected to
meet with Laotian Vice President Phankham Viphavanh and Vientiane City Mayor Sinlavong
Khoutphaythoune to discuss measures regarding ODA project support.  

In addition, Governor Nam will
meet Industry Minister Khin Maung Cho in Naypyidaw, Myanmar, to discuss means by
which to enhance cooperation in commerce and trade. The Governor will also sign
an invitational workshop MOU in the capital of Myanmar. Gyeonggi Province has
plans for an invitational workshop for senior government officials of the
Ministry of Industry in Myanmar.  

In Yangon, Governor Nam will
meet Governor Phyo Min Thein to discuss a wide range of ODA measures including exemplary
traffic policies such as the ‘Good Morning Bus’ initiative that could
potentially address the serious traffic problems of Yangon.
Of particular note, Governor
Nam will be accompanied by 16 representatives of exporting enterprises based in
Gyeonggi Province and shall host meetings with local economic organizations and
business leaders to explore means by which to increase commercial relations
with Laos and Myanmar. 

ⓒ Gyeonggi G-News | Kim Jin-kyoung jinkyoungkim@kg21.net

http://gnews.gg.go.kr/news/news_detail.asp?number=201606021016567055C052&s_code=C052