The Greater Mekong Subregion countries, which have been severely affected by the pandemic-induced recession, have been exerting significant efforts to devise and implement new policies and measures to restore their economic growth and development. The new economic growth agenda includes issues such as promoting international trade and trade negotiations, enhancing the business environment, nurturing domestic firms, encouraging direct foreign investments, and advocating for gender equality. However, these issues present numerous obstacles to the region’s economic recovery. 

To address these challenges, CDRI’s Economics Centre, in partnership with Centre for Analysis and Forecast and Centre for Economic and Social Development, held the Regional Symposium on “The Greater Mekong Subregion’s Economic Recovery: The Uncertainty of External Events and Inclusive Development” on 22nd November 2023 at Hyatt Regency Hotel for academics and researchers from Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and Vietnam to demonstrate their evidence-based research on the impact of COVID-19.  
  
The symposium was attended by 94 representatives from various ministries, UN agencies, development partners, NGOs, private associations, and academic institutions. The researchers shared their data and analysis on three key sectors: agriculture, garment manufacturing, and tourism. The symposium highlighted the need to strengthen social protections and promote education, healthcare, and environmental sustainability as recommendations for regional policymakers.
 
This regional symposium is a part of the project entitled “The Impact of COVID-19 on Inclusive Development and Governance: Rapid and Post-Pandemic Assessment in the CLMV” funded by Canada’s International Development Research Center.