A group of researchers from Seoul National University (SNU) and Sun Moon University paid a visit to Mekong Institute (MI) on August 14, 2019 as part of an ongoing research project on Mekong-Korea cooperation. The delegation was led by Prof. Dr. Tae Yoon Kim of the Graduate School of International Agricultural Technology, SNU. They were welcomed by Dr. Watcharas Leelawath, MI Executive Director, and Ms. Pornwilai Pumira, External Relations Manager.  

The meeting tackled details of the research project on the mid- to long-term mutual development and cooperation strategy between Korea and the Mekong region. Part of a policy report of the Korea Institute for International Economic Policy, research and information gathering are underway and is scheduled to be published in time for the Mekong-Korea Summit in November.

Discussions also centered on the current status of the Mekong-ROK Cooperation Fund and its priority sectors encompassing infrastructure, agriculture and rural development, and human resource development, among others. In line with this, Dr. Leelawath expounded on MI’s short- and long-term strategies for capacity development, cross-border trade, and revitalization of small businesses under various projects such as the RLED-EWEC Project, Rural E-Commerce Development in the GMS, and Monitoring Early Harvest Implementation of CBTA. The meeting concluded with an affirmation of strengthening sectoral networks through continued synergistic cooperation.