The 5-day regional training on Trade Event promotion was held on 22nd August to 26th August 2011 at Mekong Institute, Khon Kaen. On the first day, the participants were warmly welcomed by Dr. Suchat Katima, MI Director. In his speech, Dr. Suchat also expressed his appreciation to Japanese Government for cooperating with MI on the two year project on Enhancing Provincial and Local Chambers of Commerce Capacities in Trade and Investment Facilitation along East West Economic Corridor (EWEC) funded under Japan ASEAN Integration fund (JAIF). 

Speaking at the inaugural session, Mr. Nagafusa Katsuya, First Secretary, Embassy of Japan in Thailand appreciated MI for successfully implementing the two year project on capacity development of CCIs along EWEC. Referring to the Training on trade events promotion, he mentioned the need of market diversification to reduce risk and to enhance negotiation power and the importance of expanding sources of revenue. 

The objective of the training programme was to understand the need and importance of export trade for business growth and expansion and to provide necessary skills to conduct trade events. 

The 5 day training deliberated on various aspects of trade promotion and the need and importance of SMEs for export market. The importance of opportunities for product market diversification was introduced so as to appreciate the promotion of local products and to draw up product competitiveness in the export market was outlined through presentation, role plays, games and discussion session. Different types of trade events were discussed with an aim to develop action plans for implementation in the provinces. 

As a final output of the workshop, three events are planned for implementation by the CCI and Business Associations in the EWEC provinces in the next 12 months. These are namely: 

EWEC week (Trade fair): to be organized with Provincial Trade Fair in Kalasin province, Thailand in Feb 2012 by CCI and BAs of Danang, Myewaddy (Kayin state) and Kalasin 

Buyer sellers meet in Savanakhet in December 2011 by CCI and BAs of Quan tri, Savanakhet and Mukdahan province 

Business Meet and buyer seller meet in November by CCI and BAs of Hue province, Mon state, Tak and Khon Kaen province. 

The training was conducted by experts from Indian Institute of Foreign Trade, New Delhi, UNESCAP and Trade and Investment Facilitation division of Mekong Institute. 

The training was attended by 35 participants from Chamber of commerce and industries, Industries federation, SME association, Officials from Government agencies involved in trade and investment promotion from EWEC countries.