Mekong countries' leaders call for $66 billion investment

HANOI, Vietnam – The leaders of six countries along the Mekong River have adopted an ambitious investment plan worth $66 billion over the next five years.

At least $7 billion will come from the Asian Development Bank and the rest from governments and the private sector.

The plan was adopted at a summit in Vietnam on Saturday that included the heads of state of Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam and the Chinese foreign minister.

The Greater Mekong Subregional economic cooperation program was initiated by the ADB in 1992 and has since mobilized $21 billion with the bulk going to infrastructure projects.