Digital Cooperation

Background and Principles

The Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) Digital Economy Cooperation Initiative was proposed by the People’s Republic of China and endorsed at the 25th GMS Ministerial Conference in 2022 in Luang Prabang, Lao People’s Democratic Republic. The initiative aims to promote digital transformation and the adoption of advanced technologies within GMS activities and projects. Key objectives include facilitating trade and investment through cross-border e-commerce, accelerating infrastructure development and digital connectivity, promoting innovation and digital technology transfer, developing digital financial systems to support infrastructure investment, increasing digital inclusion and enhancing the digital capabilities of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and women, and developing digital governance through the coordination of regional laws, regulations, standards, and policies.

Facilitating trade and investment by promoting cross-border e-commerce systems, reducing trade procedure complexities, enhancing broad consumer access to businesses, increasing digital trade capabilities, driving transformation of traditional trade models to more efficient trade practices
Accelerating digital connectivity by building digital infrastructure, improving telecommunications access efficiency, and increasing broadband penetration rates
Promoting digital technology innovation by encouraging government agencies, state enterprises, investment institutions, and research institutions to share experiences to identify best practices in promoting innovation and improving innovation transfer, strengthening cooperation with international organizations to promote digital standards compatibility and mutual recognition
Accelerating digital financial system development by encouraging international and regional financial institutions to support critical digital infrastructure investment through capital and public financial products
Enhancing digital inclusiveness
by strengthening capabilities and technological assistance to cultivate digital skills and increase participation of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and women
Establishing digital governance systems by strengthening dialogue and coordination on key issues with consideration for mutual interests, exploring approaches to enhance cooperation in sharing legal, regulatory, standards, and policy measure information

Recent Progress

Implementation is driven by the GMS Digitalization Action Plan 2025-2027, which focuses on strengthening regional digital cooperation through the development of infrastructure, regulatory mechanisms, and digital skills. This aims to bridge the digital divide and leverage digital transformation for inclusive and sustainable development. Implementation prioritizes activities in three key sectors: agriculture, tourism, and trade and investment. This is coupled with promoting capacity building, policy dialogue, and pilot project implementation to support the shared goal of advancing the subregion’s digital progress and ensuring that digital operations effectively respond to the subregion’s evolving context and needs.

Source: https://greatermekong.org/g/digitalization

Download Documents

GMS Digital Action Plan 2025-2027

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Summary of Key Points of the Digital Economic Cooperation Initiative (Thai Translation)

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GMS Digital Economy Cooperation Initiative

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8 Sectoral Working Groups

1. Transport

2. Trade and Investment

3. Energy

4. Tourism

5. Health

6. Environment

7. Agriculture

8. Urban Development

Task Forces and Cross-Sectoral Operations