The main goal of the GMS-BF is to foster cooperation and growth of the private sector through information sharing, networking, and public–private sector dialogue. It is active on issues of common interest to members such as trade facilitation, cross-border trade agreements, and pre-shipment financing and capacity building for small and medium-sized enterprises. The forum seeks to promote the GMS as a unique trade-investment-transport hub.

Membership is open to businesses of all kinds, international and national, operating in GMS countries. With the secretariat office in Vientiane and three satellite offices in Bangkok, Hanoi, and Beijing, the GMS-BF is well positioned to respond to all business inquiries with the expertise of its management and local staff.

The GMS-BF is funded by corporate membership fees. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the United Nations Economic and Social Commissions for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) have also supported the forum.