B2B MEETING CALLS FOR HEIGHTENED CROSS-BORDER TRADE BETWEEN TAK AND MYAWADDY

EWEC

Mekong Institute, under its RLED-EWEC Project, organized a business-to-business (B2B) meeting gathering 30 private sector stakeholders from the border provinces of Tak, Thailand and Myawaddy, Myanmar on February 21, 2019. Held in Mae Sot, the meeting was co-hosted by the Tak Chamber of Commerce and Myawaddy Township Border Trade Chamber of Commerce.  

The meeting served as a platform to resolve trade-related issues as well as propose corresponding solutions and recommendations toward competitive capacities and enabling environments. Discussions centered on issuance of licenses and permits, taxation and regulations, import-export procedures, and border operations. The respective parties are expected to draw a compromise on concerns that will ultimately lead to streamlined, cost- and time-efficient cross-border transactions.

Ms. Thin Thin Myat, President of Myawaddy Chamber of Commerce and Industries, described the relationship between Mae Sot and Myawaddy similar to that of sister cities – mutual and steadfast. “Not only should our two provinces engage in cross-border trade, but also jointly promote investment, industry, and tourism, among others,” she stated.

Dr. Watcharas Leelawath, MI Executive Director, underscored MI’s role as an intergovernmental organization in building linkages and promoting cooperation by stating: “We have previously organized B2B meetings between Mukdahan, Savannakhet, and Quang Tri – of which all three provinces are in the process of signing their respective MoUs (Memorandum of Understanding).” He continued, “By applying the same mechanism in Mae Sot and Myawaddy, we aim to achieve meaningful results in furthering cross-border trade between the two provinces.”  

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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.