Mekong Institute (MI) rolled out the second of 16 online consultations with key government officials to identify ways forward in strengthening connectivity among and between Mekong-Lancang member countries for the seamless movement of people and goods in the region.
Mr. Madhurjya Kumar Dutta, MI’s Director for Trade and Investment Facilitation, explained that the objectives of the sessions were in line with the priority sector on “connectivity” under the Mekong-Lancang Cooperation Framework and with the initiatives of the Ayeyawady-Chao Phraya-Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy, Greater Mekong Subregion, and Association of Southeast Asian Nations master plans. He also underscored “MI’s commitment in bridging well-connected economic corridors through evidence-based studies to help establish innovative, inclusive, and integrated Mekong-Lancang communities.”
MI’s three-hour online consultation focused on analyzing current projects under the Mekong-Lancang Cooperation and other regional frameworks on railways, roads, waterways, aviation, ports, as well as cross-border e-commerce and digital connectivity activities as an avenue for deeper convergence in logistics systems, transport regulations, and people mobility.
Succeeding online sessions with officials representing the ministries of foreign affairs; public works and transport; digital economy and society; post and telecommunications; and information, culture and tourism will also draw policy, institutional, and capacity building needs required by Cambodia, P.R. China, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam to bridge regional transport connectivity.
Findings from the MI activity will be consolidated into a study report for submission to governments of Mekong-Lancang countries. The online consultations, which will run from July 10 to 22, 2020 at the MI Headquarters, is part of MI’s “Capacity Building for National Coordinators of Mekong-Lancang Cooperation” project. The project is implemented in collaboration with Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and supported by the Mekong-Lancang Cooperation Special Fund.
