Agriculture creates a sense of commonality and connection among the countries of the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS); however, its contribution to regional economies varies, being huge in Laos and Cambodia and much smaller in China, Thailand, and Vietnam. This paper summarises and synthesises the five country case studies, undertaken by the GMS Development Analysis Network (now GMS-Net), which aim to build knowledge on the availability, quality and exchange of information related to agricultural production and trade, particularly in relation to […]

There is growing interest in promoting cooperation in the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS), comprising Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam and Yunnan province of China, where socioeconomic development varies widely between countries. Job creation in the worse-off countries does not keep pace with increases in the labour force. Due to the higher wages in Thailand and lack of year round farming in Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar, millions of people venture over the border to work in Thailand. This report by the […]

Most Cambodian migrants travel by illegal or informal routes, mainly to Thailand, as the legal option is costly and inconvenient. Government agencies face a huge challenge in managing this growing labour migration. Since the creation of productive jobs does not keep pace with the number of new entrants to the labour force, the pressure to emigrate in search of employment is likely to increase. This study, as part of a regional study by the GMS-Development Analysis Network (now GMS-Net), provides […]

Cambodia’s agricultural sector accounted for 27 percent of GDP in 2007 and employed about 56 percent of the total labour force, especially the poor. Aware of the importance of agricultural trade for economic growth and poverty reduction, the government’s approach has been to enhance agricultural exports while developing the sector. This study examines how to best promote agricultural trade in the region in order to optimise benefits and minimise negative impacts. Cassava and rubber are the subject of in-depth analysis […]