Mekong-Japan Cooperation

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The 12th Mekong-Japan Economic Ministers Meeting（August 27,2020）

On August 27 (Thu.), 2020, the 12th Mekong-Japan Economic Ministers Meeting was held via video conference. Minister Kajiyama attended the meeting as a representative of Japan and co-chaired with Minister Dung, a representative of Vietnam.

At the meeting, the Ministers reconfirmed the importance of the realization of the “Mekong Industrial Development Vision 2.0” to tackle the economic disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Ministers also endorsed the Work Programme (2020-2023) for the realization of MIDV2.0, which comprehensively incorporates concrete cooperation projects proposed by Mekong countries, Japan and the development partners and issued a Joint Media Statement.

Outline

The five Mekong countries (Cambodia, Lao-PDR, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam) are of great interest to Japanese companies as a region with high economic growth and an abundant labor force. Furthermore, with the expansion of domestic demand accompanying the growth of the middle class, the Mekong countries have promising potential for development as a consumer market. In order to steadily sublimate this potential into economic development, it is necessary to make efforts to improve the sophistication of each industry in which the region is united and to reduce regional and domestic disparities.

Based on the importance of this region, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) has held the Mekong-Japan Economic Ministers Meeting since 2009 and has been promoting cooperation with the Mekong countries.

At the first Mekong-Japan Economic Ministers Meeting in 2009, "Mekong-Japan Economic and Industrial Cooperation Initiative (MJ-CI)" was adopted and decided to be promoted. In 2010, the "Mekong-Japan Industrial Government Dialogue" was started to grasp specific needs from the industries of Japan and the five Mekong countries, and to promote the efforts of each country and the Mekong as a whole based on specific needs.

In 2015, as a new basic policy, the "Mekong Industrial Development Vision (2016-2020)" was adopted with the concept of "Specialization & Collaboration" aiming for regional unity and sustainable development by complementing each other's countries while leveraging the strengths of each country.

Furthermore, in 2019, based on the achievements so far, the Mekong Industrial Development Vision was upgraded to the “Mekong Industrial Development Vision 2.0(2019-2023)” responding to the remaining issues and changes in the environment surrounding the Mekong region. METI will steadily implement concrete Mekong-Japan cooperation toward the realization of the vision.

Efforts

Mekong-Japan Economic Ministers Meeting

1st Mekong-Japan Economic Ministers Meeting

Since 2009, the Mekong-Japan Economic Ministers Meeting has been held every year, and the results are reported to the Mekong-Japan Summit.

Mekong Industrial development vision 2.0（2019-2023）

At the 10^th Mekong-Japan Economic Ministers Meeting in August 2018, METI proposed a revision to the “Mekong Industrial Development Vision” ahead of schedule to respond to changes in the environment surrounding the Mekong region such as sophistication of industrial structure (digitalization / development of service industry), responding to social issues (urbanization, environment / energy) and deepening regional economic integration (geopolitical framework such as mega FTAs such as RCEP). With the agreement of the Economic Ministers, the "Mekong Industrial Development Vision 2.0" was adopted at the 11^th Mekong-Japan Economic Ministers Meeting in September 2019.

This vision consists of three pillars: connectivity, digital innovations, and SDGs.

In 2020, the "Work programme" that comprehensively summarizes specific projects in line with this vision was formulated. We will implement concrete efforts in the future.

Links to related information

AMEICC

Division in Charge

Asia and Pacific Division, Trade Policy Bureau

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Last updated:2020-11-02