Mekong Institute (MI) organized a regional training program on “Promotion of SME Cluster Linkages in the Greater Mekong Subregion” from April 6 – 10, 2015. The five day training is designed for the existing SME Clusters formed during 2012-2014 and new SME clusters in the Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam (CLMV countries) to build intra cluster linkages for enhancing their competiveness. 25 participants representing SME product clusters in Silk, Organic rice, Mango, Sea Food, Coffee, Furniture, Silver, Gems and Jewelry for the CLMV countries joined the training program. 

Speaking at the inauguration session, Mr. Madhurjya Kumar Dutta, Program Manager of the Trade and Investment Facilitation Department of MI, said it is important that the clusters are strengthened through inter cluster linkages and expand market possibilities through linkages with other developed/established clusters ‘cluster twinning’. This would allow the clusters to access market, technology, raw material, R&D, to enhance their competitiveness. 

The training will emphasize on practical sessions where the participants are required to identify and share the critical gaps such as management, production, skills and market, raw materials, technology, R&D, information/ know-how and export. The cluster members will discuss scope for potential collaboration and conduct preliminary business matching for establishing cluster linkages. The result of the business matching will form the basis of their cluster twining action plan to implement during the next three months. 

This training is part of the bridging project of the three-year project on “Capacity Building for the Integration of CLMV Economies into ASEAN Economic Community” from 2012-2014, funded by New Zealand Aid Programme (NZAP).