reports JAPAN-ASEAN-INVESTMENT-MEKONG - 12/10/2003 10:10 - AFP

TOKYO, Dec 10 (AFP) - Japan will give about 1.5 billion dollars worth of financial assistance towards development of the Mekong River region over the next three years, news reports said Wednesday. Tokyo is making the offer to the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to coincide with their leaders' special summit here Thursday and Friday, Kyodo News said, citing an internal government document. The money will be used to build infrastructure, such as bridges, roads and ports to help economic development of nations along the river such as Cambodia and Vietnam, Jiji Press said. The assistance will be particularly aimed at helping underdeveloped nations within ASEAN, Jiji said. The river, extending for 4,000 kilometres (2,400 miles), is among the world's longest and least spoiled, passing through China, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam. The Japanese aid money will be also used to set up frameworks for liberalisation of trade and investment, Jiji said. The plan is part of a draft of the ASEAN-Japan Plan of Action to be adopted at the special summit, Kyodo reported. The Asian Development Bank has a controversial Greater Mekong Subregion development plan involving 11 flagship programs to integrate the region in areas including telecommunications, energy, transport, and tourism. ASEAN, established in 1967, groups Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. hih/ja/bmm