Japan and the five Southeast Asian countries bordering the Mekong River adopted a blueprint Monday to boost industrialization in the subregion.
The blueprint, known as "The Mekong Industrial Development Vision," got the thumbs-up during a meeting between Japan's Minister for Economy, Trade and Industry Yoichi Miyazawa and his counterparts from Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam in Kuala Lumpur on the sidelines of the annual meeting of trade ministers from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and its dialogue partners including Japan.
A set of policy directions are spelled out, such as harmonizing standards and certification to ease the flow of cross-border trade, developing special economic zones along the border, and collaborating with Japanese universities and industry to foster skilled workforces and promote research and development.