Supporting Mekong Institute’s (MI) work in promoting special economic zones in the Lancang-Mekong region, MI alumni Mr. Prateep Chouykerd and Ms. Patcharaphorn Poobanchao organized a national workshop on “Opportunities, Challenges and Impact of COVID-19 toward Thailand’s Special Economic Zones” on December 4, 2020 at the Industrial Promotion Center Region 5 in Khon Kaen, Thailand.

The one-day activity was part of their action plan implementation to broaden public-private sector understanding of the merits of SEZs in increasing trade balance, employment, investment, job creation and effective administration.  

Mr. Prateep and Ms. Patcharaphorn briefed 20 officials from the Industrial Promotion Center Region 5; Board of Investment; Bank of Thailand; Federation of Thai Industries, Khon Kaen Chapter; Khon Kaen Chamber of Commerce; Federation of Thai SME of Northeastern of Thailand, as well as representatives of academic institutions and private companies on “SEZ Contributions in Regional Economic Development,” “Successful Experiences and Lesson Learned of Shenzhen’s SEZ,” and “ Post-COVID-19 Business Adaption Approaches.”

Supported by the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation Special Fund, the activity was completed as a requirement of MI’s “Measures for Management and Promotion of SEZ for Lancang-Mekong Countries” online training which was held last August 10 to 21, 2020.

The workshop is part of a continuing series of knowledge exchange sessions by 23 MI alumni from Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam until the first quarter of 2021.