Khon Kaen, Thailand (July 24, 2015) – A Partnership Arrangement was signed between Mekong Institute (MI) and the Neighbouring Countries Economic Development Cooperation Agency (NEDA) on July 24, 2015 in MI. 

Under the five year partnership between MI and NEDA, the two sides agree to cooperate in selected areas of capacity building for the GMS development, cooperation and integration in the following areas: 

Co-designing and implementing a series of human resource development program for the development issues in the GMS (including executive seminar, training program, regional workshops, international and information forum, and policy consultation)
Carrying out joint GMS-focused research and studies
Developing and sharing GMS resource & networking, and linking database on both websiteInitiating other activities that aim to promote regional cooperation and integration in the GMS
“Capacity building is central to sustain economic growth and development because human capital is the greatest asset”. Dr. Watcharas Leelawath, MI Director, said “We are looking forward to working more closely with NEDA on regional cooperation and integration”. 

The MOU was signed by Dr.Watcharas Leelawath, Director of MI, and Mr. Newin Sinsiri, President of NEDA.