NAY PYI TAW, 20 Dec - The Fourth Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) Summit opened at the Myanmar International Convention Center here today with an opening address by President of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar U Thein Sein.

Also present at the opening ceremony were leaders of the GMS countries Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Hun Sen, Chinese State Councilor Mr.Dai Bingguo, Laotian Prime Minister Mr.Thongsing Thammavong, Thai Prime Minister Ms.Yingluck Shinawatra and Vietnamese Prime Minister Mr.Nguyen Tan Dung, ministers, deputy ministers and entrepreneurs from GMS countries, officials from the Asia Development Bank and guests.

President U Thein Sein and the leaders of the GMS countries posed for documentary photos and formally opened the 4th GMS Summit. Afterwards, President U Thein Sein delivered an opening address.
(The address is reported separately.)

Afterwards, video presentation on activities related to GMS programme in Myanmar, new activities in tourism, agriculture and environmental conservation sectors in the Greater Mekong Sub-region and "Beyound 2012: Towards a New Decade of GMS Strategic Development Partnership." On behalf of leaders of GMS countries, President U
Thein Sein and Vietnamese Prime Minister Mr. Nguyen Tan Dung accepted paper on "Focused Tourism Sector Strategy" presented by Thai GMS Minister and Minister for Prime Minister's Office Mr. Surawit Khonsomboon.

On behalf of leaders of GMS countries, Laotian Prime Minister Mr. Thongsing Thammavong and Thai Prime Minister Ms.Yingluck Shinawatra accepted paper on "Core
Agricultural Support Programme Phase II" presented by GMS Minister of the People's Republic of China Mr. Xie Xuren.

On behalf of leaders of GMS countries, Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Hun Sen and State Councilor of the People's Republic of China Mr. Dai Bingguo accepted the paper on "Core Environmental Conservation Programme Biodiversity Conservation Corridor Initiative Phase II" presented by Laotian GMS Minister Mr. Nulinh Sinbandhit.

Afterwards, Cambodian GMS Minister Mr. Cham Prasidh presented "GMS Strategic Framework (2012-2022)" to Chairman of the 4th GMS Summit President U Thein Sein. On behalf of the leaders of the GMS countries, President U Thein Sein endorsed the GMS Strategic Framework (2012-2022).

Afterwards, President of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry U Win Aung discussed suggestions of the business and investment conference of the 4th GMS Summit and Mr. Sun Anmin, Vice-President of the federation of chambers of commerce and industry of the People's Republic of China reported on progress of the GMS Economic Forum.

Mr. Sun Anmin handed over the chairmanship of the GMS Economic Forum to U Win Aung and the opening ceremony concluded.

MNA