Hanoi (VNA) – The fourth Industrial Revolution has created great opportunities for promotingthe integration of Mekong countries, with the rising important role of soft anddigital connectivity in economic connectivity, stated Prime Minister NguyenXuan Phuc.

Speaking at a session themed“A new Vision for Mekong Region” as part of the World Economic Forum on ASEAN(WEF ASEAN) in Hanoi on September 12, the Vietnamese Government leaderunderlined that Mekong countries’ integration has made important contributionsto reinforcing an environment of peace and stability in the region.

The process also helpspromote their potential, supplementary advantages, while fostering renovationand reform as well as completing economic institutions, thus contributing toimproving people’s living conditions.

Along withconnectivity in effective use of water resources, energy, transport and humanresources training, the Mekong region also has great potential in digitalinfrastructure connectivity thanks to a market with about 250 million consumershaving rising incomes.

He said that at ministerialmeetings within the WEF ASEAN 2018, Vietnam gave its ideas on the expansion ofcooperation in mobile network integration with a single service price amongCambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam, heading to a “flat ASEAN” where peopleenjoy best telecommunications services at a low roaming price.

He showed his beliefthat that Industry 4.0 will contribute to promoting the rapid and effectivegrowth of regional countries.

The session, whichdrew Cambodian PM Hun Sen, Lao PM Thongloun Sisoulith, Myanmar’s StateCounsellor Aung San Suu Kyi and Thai Deputy PM Prajin Juntong, discussed anumber of important issues to the growth and integration of Mekong countries,including the impacts of Industry 4.0, the digital, transport infrastructure,and soft connectivity, along with matters related to the environment and Mekongriver water resource management.

The leaders agreedthat the Mekong countries should work harder to promote their internalstrengths and market advantage as well as abundant young workforce to takeadvantage of opportunities and benefits of Industry 4.0 for more sustainabledevelopment.

They sharedorientations and measures to strengthen integration in the region, in ASEAN andthe world, fostering connectivity in transport, energy and telecommunicationsand economic connectivity.-VNA