Marise Payne (NSW, Liberal Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Hansard source

We know that a prosperous and resilient Mekong is an important part of a strong South-East Asia region, and that's why we'll invest in a new $232 million Mekong-Australia program to support economic integration and development in the Mekong subregion. That package announced by the Prime Minister includes investments for economic integration and development, high-quality infrastructure and support for our region's emerging security needs and for the development of maritime resources. The key elements include providing scholarships for emerging leaders, creating even more valuable people-to-people links, strengthening cybersecurity and critical technology capabilities, new funding to boost jobs and growth as part of the Vietnam-Australia Enhanced Economic Engagement Strategy and opening a new liaison office in Nay Pyi Taw in Myanmar in 2021. We're deeply committed to working with Mekong countries to manage the health and economic impacts of COVID-19 and to support economic integration and regional development.