On Monday of June 18, 2012, the Mekong Institute (MI) launched an International Training Programme entitled, Conducting Effective Trade Events. 

The training program aimed to increase participants understanding of the importance of export trade for business growth and expansion. 

A total of 18 participants from the ministries of commerce and industry, trade promotion agencies, chambers of commerce, business associations and private sectors of Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand, PR China and Papua New Guinea joined the training program. 

Participants developed the planning skills needed to conduct effective trade events and monitor the success of such events. Due to the scope of countries involved, the training course provided all involved with the opportunity to see and learn about different kinds of best practices with regards to conducting trade events. 

Upon completion, participants were expected to be able to identify potential export products from their respective regions and understand the export and import patterns of these selected products. 

The training course ran from June 18-22, 2012 at the MI Residential Training Center in Khon Kaen, Thailand.