Speaking at a session themed “A new Vision for Mekong Region” as part of the World Economic Forum on ASEAN (WEF ASEAN) in Hanoi on September 12, the Vietnamese Government leader underlined that Mekong countries’ integration has made important contributions to reinforcing an environment of peace and stability in the region.

The process also helps promote their potential, supplementary advantages, while fostering renovation and reform as well as completing economic institutions, thus contributing to improving people’s living conditions.

Along with connectivity in effective use of water resources, energy, transport and human resources training, the Mekong region also has great potential in digital infrastructure connectivity thanks to a market with about 250 million consumers having rising incomes.

He said that at ministerial meetings within the WEF ASEAN 2018, Vietnam gave its ideas on the expansion of cooperation in mobile network integration with a single service price among Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam, heading to a “flat ASEAN” where people enjoy best telecommunications services at a low roaming price.

He showed his belief that that Industry 4.0 will contribute to promoting the rapid and effective growth of regional countries.

The session, which drew Cambodian PM Hun Sen, Lao PM Thongloun Sisoulith, Myanmar’s State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi and Thai Deputy PM Prajin Juntong, discussed a number of important issues to the growth and integration of Mekong countries, including the impacts of Industry 4.0, the digital, transport infrastructure, and soft connectivity, along with matters related to the environment and Mekong river water resource management.

The leaders agreed that the Mekong countries should work harder to promote their internal strengths and market advantage as well as abundant young workforce to take advantage of opportunities and benefits of Industry 4.0 for more sustainable development.

They shared orientations and measures to strengthen integration in the region, in ASEAN and the world, fostering connectivity in transport, energy and telecommunications and economic connectivity.-VNA