ACTION RESEARCH METHODOLOGY ON SME CLUSTERS AND VALUE CHAIN INTEGRATION TRAINING COMPLETED – 16 NOVEMBER, KHON KAEN, THAILAND.

Trade and Investment Facilitation

Increasing the competitiveness of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) within the GMS, will be essential in preparing the CLMVT countries (Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Vietnam, Thailand) economies for integration into the more competitive AEC 2015 economic environment. 

Utilizing its vast expertise and experience in SME and value chain development, MI is moving to tackle this vital issue through its programs. In line with this goal, MI recently completed a week-long training course, entitled, Action Research Methodology on SME Clusters and Value Chain Integration. 

The training course, supported by the New Zealand Foreign Affairs and Trade Aid Programme, aimed to enhance the research methodology-knowledge and practical skills of twelve CLMVT twelve national researchers, Young GMS Professionals and MI-based researchers. 

During training modules, participants developed and enhanced their practical skills and analytical capacities to conduct research on projects relating to SME cluster formation and integration into regional and global value chains. 

These new and enchaned skills will enable them to develop and implement intervention strategies linking SME clusters into regional and global supply chains, helping to bring about a strenghtened, more competitive local SME sector capable of competing in the new regional and global marketplace. 

The trianing emphasised the formation of work plans to empower SME cluster formation. These plans will be put into practice by participants from November 2012-January 2013. During this time, researchers will collect data and observe SME clusters and value chain operations. 

After completing their research, participants will analyze and synthesize their findings in preparation for an MI round-table meeting in January 2013. This meeting will provide participants with a much-needed platform through which to discuss, critique and exchange research results and findings. 

Emphasizing tangible results contributing to the ongoing development of the SME sector in the GMS, MI will produce and distribute policy briefs from the research findings which will be shared with key stakeholders and policy makers involved in regional SME cluster and export consortia formation.

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Mrs. Guohua Liu

Director, Sustainable Energy & Environment (SEE) Department

Mrs. Liu Guohua is the Director of the Sustainable Energy and Environment Department at the Mekong Institute. Prior to this role, she worked in the Department of International Economic Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China, where she played a key role in shaping and implementing China’s cooperation strategies with UN development agencies. During this time, Mrs. Liu was actively involved in advancing initiatives related to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with a focus on climate change and green development. Additionally, she contributed to the evaluation of projects funded by various Chinese initiatives, such as the Global Development and South-South Cooperation Fund, Lancang-Mekong Cooperation Special Fund, etc.

In addition to her work in the Department of International Economic Affairs, Mrs. Liu has an extensive diplomatic background. She spent 7 years in the Department of African Affairs, followed by a 4-year tenure at the Chinese Embassy in Lao PDR, where she gained deep expertise in both Southeast Asian and African affairs. These diverse experiences have played a crucial role in shaping her approach to sustainable development and international collaboration, particularly in building regional partnerships and tackling global challenges like climate change.

She holds a Master’s degree in Economics, with a specialization in Finance, from the Central University of Finance and Economics, and a Bachelor’s degree in Economics, specializing in International Economics and Trade, from the Shanghai University of International Business and Economics.