MANILA, June 22 (Xinhuanet) -- The Asian Development Bank (ADB) Wednesday said that it has approved a technical assistance grant of 1 million US dollars for a project that will complete the Southern Coastal Corridor linking Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam.

    The ADB said in a statement that the grant will be used to design a project to rehabilitate and upgrade transport links and facilities along the corridor, which is an important part of the Southern Economic Corridor flagship program of the 10-year Greater Mekong subregion (GMS) Strategic Framework.

    "The planned project will enhance connectivity and promote cross-border transport among Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam," says Paul J. Vallely, Transport Specialist of ADB's Mekong Department.

    "This will foster economic and social integration, and support increased trade and investment in the Southern Economic Corridor," Vallely said.

    The technical assistance will also conduct a multi-modal study on the movement of goods and people within the project-influenced area and prepare full resettlement plans, the ADB said.

    It will develop awareness campaigns to reduce the risk of the spread of HIV/AIDS and human trafficking associated with a regional transport corridor, it added.   Enditem