ABSTRACT
Although subject to continuous criticism of its development initiatives, institutional frameworks and implementation results, the Greater Mekong Subregion programme, since it was launched in 1992 by the Asian Development Bank, has been considered a success in getting all the countries along the River on board. Furthermore, it has been widely commended for firmly embracing a poverty-reduction agenda and consistently attempting to improve socio-economic development in sectors closely related to Subregional growth and well-being. Focusing on the planning and construction of the Mekong Power Grid, the authors of this chapter aspire to examine whether and how the envisioned regional market economy in general and attempted cross-border energy trading system in particular may help accelerate economic growth, narrow development gaps, and alleviate poverty in all the Mekong riparian countries. The analysis of this study is carried out using the theoretical framework of benefit sharing.
