At the third triennial summit of the Greater Mekong Sub-region (GMS), held March 30 and 31, leaders from China, Thailand, Burma, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam agreed to build upon what they described as a prosperous era in the region's history.

The primary achievement of the summit is a five-year Plan of Action for 2008-2012, which is solely concerned with bringing the countries closer together in an interconnected web of economic interests.

Future projects that are to incorporate the government of Burma include accounting and billing training as well as raising awareness of Internet technology decision makers. With respect to regional tourism, Burma is to be involved the development of river cruises and a project entitled, "In the Steps of Shiva and Lord Buddha," which will link monument heritage sites of the member states.

The Burmese delegation was led by Prime Minister Thein Sein, who duly hailed the economic developments and prospects for not only the greater sub-region but also his own impoverished Southeast Asian nation.

Thein Sein, speaking to peers in Vientiane, praised Burma's hydropower projects with Thailand and Naypyitaw's drive to induce foreign direct investment to assist in improving Burma's infrastructure.

To the latter's end, a Burmese delegation is due to sign an agreement in New Delhi this week which will permit India to develop Sittwe port on Burma's west coast as well as improve internal water and land transportation links.

Burma's hydropower deals with Thailand, relying on the construction of several dams inside Burma, have been loudly criticized for not simply displacing local residents but abetting in Burmese army violence and human rights abuses directed at ethnic communities.

The Prime Minister also noted that the private sector "will be an effective mechanism for enhancing infrastructure development." However it is well known that private contracts in Burma are often awarded to those with close ties to the military regime, such as companies associated with business tycoon Tay Za, himself a target of United States-led economic sanctions.

The congregation appeared in no mood to draw lines between themselves or to point out shortcomings in some members, preferring instead to erect a front of a unified, prosperous and symbiotic relationship.

"Fifteen years ago, when many Mekong nations were mired in conflict and poverty, few would have dared to predict that these countries would make such unprecedented progress in alleviating poverty and enhancing economic prosperity," Asian Development Bank Vice President C. Lawrence Greenwood, Jr. said at the summit yesterday.

The consortium further contended that the region is one of the fastest growing in the world, with annual growth at over six percent and a burgeoning tourism industry.

Burma's New Light of Myanmar, meanwhile, ran a headline today proclaiming, "Myanmar, Lao share pleasure to witness each other's development." For its part, Lao authorities voiced their recognition and support for Burma's economic progress.

Such grandiose claims obviously fall well short in the face of individual country statistics.

In both Burma and Laos, approximately one-third of the population is estimated to live below the poverty line. Whereas, in 1997 less than a quarter of Burma's population subsisted in poverty. Meanwhile Burma's tourism industry continues to be heavy hit in the wake of last year's widespread unrest.

Founded in 1992, the GMS has as its principle goal the betterment of trade, investment and development cooperation among the six countries