Last Friday (1 February) saw the conclusion of the two-day round table meeting on SME cluster and value chain integration in the CLMV countries. The meeting provided national researchers with a platform through which to discuss, critique, and exchange research findings conducted between November 2012 January 2013 looking specifically at SME cluster, production expansion, and value chain integration. 

Dr Gautam Dutta from the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade and Mr Sanjay Pal from the Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India acted as principle research coordinator and chief resource person respectively, working closely with the national researchers during the two-day meeting. 

Studies presented in the meeting covered specifically targeted business sectors including the rattan and silk sector (Cambodia), silk and furniture (Lao PDR), mango and fisheries (Myanmar), tea and ceramics (Vietnam), and meat processing (Thailand). 

The meeting promoted greater understanding among a range of SME stakeholders in the CLMV and uncovered a number of issues and challenges requiring attention whilst producing consensus on how to mitigate such issues. All research findings and recommendations will be thoroughly disseminated at upcoming national workshops scheduled between February and March 2013 in the CLMV countries.