메콩강 유역의 교역 네트워크

This study is to describe various economic relationships to be created and developed between the Mekong River riparian countries in recent years, and find out the nature of them. It uses the concept of trade networks to cover economic, geographical and historical aspects of these relationships. Though relatively small, both formal and informal trade of goods, and foreign investment between these countries has increased since the late 1980s, when most of countries involved opened its economies to foreigners. They mostly have consisted of border trade and cross-border transactions, and also have stimulated cross-border movements of people seeking employment, tour, investment, education, and health care. It also led countries involved to improve transportation networks between them. These developments has established a modern type of trade networks in the riparian areas, which means integration of areas through market and creation of 'Mekong River' local market area. It is supposed that this area will be the center of foreign investment and the dynamo of economic development of Greater Mekong Subregion.