The two-week Regional Training Course entitled Promoting Cross-Border Trade through Value Chain Development supported by The government of the People’s Republic of China officially opened on November 21 at Mekong Institute (MI) with participation of twenty-four government officials from central and provincial offices from 6 GMS countries including Cambodia, China, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam. 

The course is designed to enhance participants’ awareness on the cross-border trade facilitation framework and improve their knowledge and skills on the characteristics, usefulness and benefits of value chain approach to local, regional and national economic development. 

The comprehensive training program includes structured learning visits (SLVs) to Northestern provinces in Thailand including Rice Central Market, Community Rice Seed Center and the Sum Sung Non-Chemical Vegetable Cooperative. These SLVs reinforces conceptual course modules covering entrepreneurship styles and strategies to SMEs and large-scale organizations. Detailed examples and a case study of a successful value selection and development were utilized throughout the training course to provide participants with clear, applicable strategies for value chain management and value-adding activities. 

The training course will last until December 2, 2016. The participants are expected to develop action plans to promote value chain and agricultural cross-border trade, combined between their own career and knowledge gained from the training course and implement them after they return back to their respective countries.