Myanmar media hail hosting of GMS Summit

Myanmar official media hailed the hosting of the 4th Summit of the Greater Mekong Subregion Economic Cooperation (GMS) due to start here on Tuesday, saying that Myanmar and GMS member countries will be able to further strengthen their amity and cooperation. "The summit is indeed a comprehensive one of international standard as it includes GMS Business and Investment Conference, the 4th GMS Summit Joint Statement and MoU signing ceremony as well as press briefings with local and foreign media over the summit," said the New Light of Myanmar in its editorial. Welcoming the participants of the summit in accord with traditional culture and customs, the editorial said the Myanmar President met the leaders of China and Cambodia who are currently here to attend the summit, during which "they cordially discussed the success in developing Sino-Myanmar relationship into comprehensive strategic partnership, bilateral cooperation in various sectors, internal politics, external relations and developments in Myanmar." The editorial noted at the GMS Business and Investment Conference Monday, economic representatives and entrepreneurs from six GMS countries and local businesspeople totalling 250 discussed smooth commodity flow in the Mekong region, loan guarantees for development of small- and medium-scale enterprises and economic and investment improvement. The editorial underlined that Tuesday's summit is a preliminary task for Myanmar before holding BIMSTEC Summit in 2012, the 27th SEA Games in 2013 and ASEAN summit and its related meetings in 2014. Preceded by the Business and Investment Conference on Monday, the 4th GMS summit is to be attended by heads of state or government from the six GMS countries, high ranking officials, entrepreneurs and officials from the Asian Development Bank (ADB). The GMS countries consist of China, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam sharing the Mekong River.