Mekong Institute (MI) officials joined the “Capacity Building and Institutional Strengthening for Logistics Monitoring and Evaluation Database Development in Cambodia, Lao PDR and Vietnam” project kick-off online meeting on January 6, 2021 as part of its responsibility as fund manager and coordinator of the Mekong-Republic of Korea Cooperation Fund (MKCF).
With the objective of enhancing the logistics sector in Cambodia, Lao PDR, and Vietnam, Cambodia’s Department of Logistics, Ministry of Public Works and Transport will develop a logistics database for use of the three countries.
Mr. Madhurjya Kumar Dutta, MI Director of Trade and Investment Facilitation, underscored that the project will help build an efficient cross-country logistics system to increase trade competitiveness and boost the number of foreign direct investments.
“A reliable and comprehensive database of logistics information ranging from transportation, supplies, and warehouse management, will help to enhance performance management, business opportunities, and synergies for the more efficient movement of goods, people, and services among and between Cambodia, Lao PDR, and Vietnam,” he said.
This statement was seconded by Mr. Chhieng Pich, the Director General of Cambodia’s Department of Logistics, Ministry of Public Works and Transport, who committed to deliver project commitments despite operational challenges brought on by the pandemic.
“It is important for us to commit to information-sharing so we can input current and useful data into the system. By centralizing our data, we will have immediate access to real-time logistics insights for stronger decision-making, planning, transparency, and collaborative course correction, ” Mr. Pich said.
The project is one of 20 supported by MKCF beginning in 2013. Of these 12 are currently being implemented. As fund manager and coordinator of MKCF, MI works with implementing agencies from Cambodia, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, and Korea. These have strengthened capacities in information communication technology for market expansion, designing greener growth models for economic and environmental advancement, improving water resource management, facilitating a regional agriculture value chain and deepening regional cooperation through education, skills development, trade and business.
