Yangon – The seventeenth Cambodia–Lao PDR–Myanmar–Viet Nam (CLMV) Economic Ministers’ Meeting concluded in Yangon with renewed commitments to deepen regional trade and investment cooperation.
The gathering, hosted by Myanmar’s Ministry of Investment and Foreign Economic Relations (MIFER), brought together senior officials and ministers from the four CLMV nations alongside representatives from the ASEAN Secretariat.
The meeting was chaired by Dr Wah Wah Maung, Union Minister for Investment and Foreign Economic Relations of Myanmar, who emphasised the importance of strengthening economic resilience amid global uncertainties.
In her opening remarks, she highlighted that trade among CLMV countries reached USD 883.4 billion in 2024, accounting for 23 per cent of ASEAN’s total trade, while intra-regional investment rose by 3.6 per cent compared to 2023.
Delegates discussed strategies to enhance connectivity, digital transformation, and sustainable development.
The ministers reaffirmed their commitment to the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) and the ASEAN Community Vision 2025, noting that CLMV cooperation plays a crucial role in narrowing development gaps within the bloc.
They also reviewed progress in implementing the CLMV Action Plan, which focuses on trade facilitation, investment promotion, and capacity building.
H.E. Satvinder Singh, Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN for the AEC, attended the meeting and praised the CLMV countries for their resilience in maintaining growth despite global trade tensions.
He noted that the group’s contribution to ASEAN’s overall trade continues to expand, underscoring its significance in regional integration.
The ministers also exchanged views on emerging challenges, including supply chain disruptions, climate change, and digital economy opportunities.
They agreed to strengthen collaboration in areas such as cross-border e-commerce, green investment, and infrastructure development, recognising these as vital for long-term competitiveness.
The meeting concluded with a joint media statement, affirming the CLMV nations’ determination to foster inclusive growth and enhance their role within ASEAN.
The ministers expressed confidence that continued cooperation would help the subgroup achieve sustainable economic progress while contributing to ASEAN’s collective prosperity.
The CLMV framework, established in 2004, has become a key platform for Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and Vietnam to coordinate policies and accelerate integration into the wider ASEAN economy.
The latest meeting in Yangon reinforced this trajectory, signalling stronger regional collaboration in the years ahead.
Sources: ASEAN, Ministries of the President’s Office Myanmar, ASEAN Joint Media Statement
