WRITTEN BY MEKONG INSTITUTE’S DEPARTMENT OF TRADE AND INVESTMENT FACILITATION
As part of a multi-year project on “Joint Development of Cross-Border Economic Zones in Lancang-Mekong Countries,” which is supported by the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation Special Fund and in coordination with the Ministry of Commerce, Royal Government of Thailand, several national workshops on “Investment Opportunities in Economic Zones” were organized in Lancang-Mekong countries in September-December 2021 to provide status and types of investments, investment rules and policies, and post-COVID-19 strategies to promote investments in economic zones.
Mekong Institute (MI) in cooperation with the General Department of Logistics, Ministry of Public Works and Transport of Cambodia, organized a national e-workshop on “Investment Opportunities in Special Economic Zones (SEZs) in Cambodia” on September 21, 2021 to update information on existing and emerging trade and investment opportunities and, trends of investment flows from both within and outside the Lancang-Mekong region in SEZs including suggestions on promoting investments for further enhancement of trade and investment in SEZs which would contribute to post-COVID economic recovery and sustainable development in Cambodia.
The workshop was chaired by H.E. Chhieng Pich, Director General of Logistics and Chair of ASEAN Senior Transport Official Meetings (STOM), Ministry of Public Works and Transport. “While the Royal Government of Cambodia (RGC) has been making continuous and proactive efforts in the fight against covid-19, this workshop is an important forum that will contribute to the RGC in preparing the national plan on economic recovery and rehabilitation from the covid-19 crisis for 2021-2023 which aims to bring economic growth back to closer to sustainable growth potential by promoting competitiveness and investment, economic diversification, especially on strong industrial bases with high export capacity and stronger ties with regional and global supply chain”, H.E. Chhieng Pich underscored in the opening remark.
A representative from MI, Mr. Sa-nga Sattanun, Program Manager of Trade and Investment Facilitation Department highlighted the importance of the national workshop as a platform to provide insights and information on investment rules and opportunities in economic zones and policy suggestions for further advancing trade and cooperation in connection with the economic zones in the Lancang-Mekong countries. The workshop was attended by 45 participants who are senior-and mid-level officials from line ministries, CEO and management of SMEs, logistics service providers, chamber of commerce, logistics association, and think thank in Cambodia.
The workshop presented sessions on Overview of Project on Joint Development of Cross-Border Economic Zones in Lancang-Mekong (LM) Countries & National Workshop, Policy Responses for Seamless and Sustainable Special Economic Zone Network, and Investment Opportunities and Incentives in Special Economic Zones.
The results of the implemented national workshop in Cambodia and other Lancang-Mekong countries will be presented at a regional online Synthesis and Evaluation Workshop in the second week of October 2021.
