Mekong Institute (MI) organized completion workshops of the Regional and Local Economic Development in East West Economic Corridor (RLED-EWEC) Project on October 10, 15, and 16 in Myanmar, Lao PDR, and Vietnam, respectively. Each workshop drew over 100 key stakeholders comprised of government officials, concerned agencies, local partners, and project beneficiaries including farmers, enterprises, and business associations.

Serving as the last leg of the said project, the workshops had a three-fold objective of (i) reporting the key results and achievements of the project; (ii) providing recommendations for scale-up and sustainability; and (iii) celebrating collaborative partnerships among all concerned stakeholders. Presentations from relevant partners also covered the experiences, best practices, challenges as well as lessons learned throughout the project’s six-year duration (2013-2019).

At the completion workshop in Myawaddy, Mr. Saw Htain Linn, Pha Lu Gyi village tract leader, stated how the project has instilled solidarity among farmers. “We are thankful for the knowledge, equipment, and storage facilities that MI provided. Not only did it improve our on-farm production, harvest, and post-harvest management, it also taught us to work together,” he said referring to the farmer group formation and capacity building initiatives of the project. Microfinance Delta International Co. Ltd. (MIFIDA) also commended the project’s sincerity for its beneficiaries: “When MI approached us to become a microfinance partner, they did not attach any conditionality or business interest to it; the proposed seasonal loans reflected the actual needs of farmers based on their flow of income and paying capacities,” said Ms. Than Than Swe, MIFIDA Regional Manager of Kayin State. Moreover, the Myanmar government acknowledged the impact of joining forces on such initiatives. As State Ministers Mr. Than Naing and Mr. Saw Myint Oo remarked in their speeches, the project testifies to the invaluable cooperation and commitment of everyone toward uplifting the lives and livelihoods of smallholder farmers.

Speaking at the completion workshop in Lao PDR, Khammouane Vice Governor Mr. Bounmy Phimmasone reiterated the local government’s commitment to carrying forward the project achievements on rice value chain development and cross-border trade facilitation (CBTF) of agricultural products. “We shall continue to promote the good agricultural practices (GAP) and good manufacturing practices (GMP) as introduced by the project. It is a stepping stone for meeting quality standards and market demand as well as optimizing benefits and opportunities for the rice industry in the province,” he said. Mr. Phimmasone also encouraged Khammouane and Savannakhet – as two of the national rice production hubs – to collaborate and support each other in order to boost rice commercialization. This was echoed by Mr. Valiya Sichanthongthip, Director of Provincial Department of Planning and Investment in Savannakhet, who mentioned the province’s plans of integrating rice value chain key actors into an SME development project alongside increasing rice exports.

With the linkages established by the project, Mrs. Phouthamath Sayyabounsou, National Program Officer of SDC, applauded the positive results on agricultural development which, according to her, is among the key thrust areas of their Strategic Plan 2018-2021. Mr. Hanh Chanthalangsy, head of GAP farmer group in Ban Dongtai, Thakhek District, also expressed appreciation of the project: “We now have better yields, lower costs of production, and favorable rates with rice millers – things we could not have done alone.”

The final installment of the workshops was held in Dong Ha City, Quang Tri Province in Vietnam. Mr. Nguyen Quan Chinh, Vice Chairperson of Quang Tri Provincial People’s Committee (PPC), expressed appreciation of the project contributions especially on improving the socioeconomic environments for farmers and SMEs as well as strengthening capacities of Quang Tri government officials. He also pointed out how the project facilitated more efficient and streamlined cross-border trade procedures through the Business to Government (B2G) dialogues, which informed local leaders on their decision making and implementation of provincial action plans for furthering CBTF. All stakeholders including Agribank, Binh Dien Fertilizer Company along with coffee and rubber farmer groups committed to continue the Quadripartite model and other interventions even after project completion. The Quang Tri PPC also awarded certificates of merit to MI Executive Director Dr. Watcharas Leelawath, RLED-EWEC Project Director Ms. Jutamas Thongcharoen, and Project Team Leader Mr. Nguyen Nhat An for their contribution and support to Quang Tri and its communities.

Gracing the three completion workshops, Dr. Watcharas Leelawath recognized all stakeholders and partners who have been instrumental in implementing mechanisms that supported each of the project sites’ goals. He gauged the achievements of the project as a collective effort, in which he underscored the need for continued cooperation to ensure sustainability of the initiatives. He concluded on a positive note by translating project completion – not as the end of the road – but rather as a crossroad paved with collaborative relationships and opportunities.

The RLED-EWEC Project was funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC). Anchored on the goal of more inclusive and equitable growth in the GMS, the project supported the value chain development of the maize sector in Myawaddy, Myanmar; rice sector in Khammouane and Savannakhet Provinces, Lao PDR; and coffee sector in Quang Tri Province, Vietnam. It also included a component on cross-border trade facilitation among the provinces along the EWEC. To read and look back on the project milestones and country-specific activities, please visit https://mekonginstitute.org/news/?cate=news-ewec 

09/09/2019 (Savannakhet, Lao PDR) – “Mekong Institute continuously steers efforts to reduce trade costs for quicker and more efficient flow of cross-border transactions along the EWEC. With today’s turnout, we remain positive of the commitment and cooperation among the three border provinces in achieving this shared endeavor,” said MI Executive Director Dr. Watcharas Leelawath as he addressed delegates at the second Business to Government (B2G) Meeting on Cross-Border Trade Facilitation between Mukdahan, Thailand, Quang Tri, Vietnam, and Savannakhet, Lao PDR.  

Following the first B2G in August 2018, the second installment of institutionalized dialogue gathers 123 representatives from public and private sectors in the border provinces to review the ongoing implementation of action plans and strategize further actions to fulfill commitments made during the first round. Ten proposals were submitted last year, of which five were approved and actions plans were developed and implemented by relevant provincial governments. Some of the actions implemented include the enhancement of border transparency by installing information on fees and charges and border procedures at the crossing points, issuing receipt for each payment made at the border, exemption from weighing and weight control for vehicles transporting agro-products along road no. 9 in the domestic area of Savannakhet, and the change from inter-agencies check-point to a coordination point at Baan Dong.

Ten new proposals consolidated from business operators from Mukdahan, Quang Tri, and Savannakhet during the previous Business to Business (B2B) dialogue held last June were proposed to the three provincial governments during this meeting. The issues covered regulatory-based concerns, operational services and costs associated to import-export border procedures.

“Today’s dialogue is considered a flagship collaboration of the three provincial governments toward effective and efficient cross-border trade operations between the public and private sectors,” said Mr. Thonekeo Phouthakayalath, Vice Governor of Savannakhet Province. He also spoke about the significance of tackling the challenges related to trade of agricultural products since it accounts for one of the highest volume of import-export products via the two twin border crossing points of Savannakhet-Mukdahan and Dansavanh-Lao Bao.

Mukdahan Vice Governor Mr. Supakorn Moolsuwan remarked, “This B2G opens the floor for respective parties to raise their insights and concerns on advancing economic development and transnational relations. It further lays the foundation for integrated and seamless border trade that will offer boundless connections and remarkable growth opportunities for our three provinces.”  

Mr. Nguyen Quan Chinh, Vice Chairperson of Quang Tri Province People’s Committee, called on the steadfast support of MI and its development partners. “Witnessing its notable achievements, we highly recommend continued project implementation as well as to further initiate complementary efforts directed at the economic development – not only of Quang Tri and its neighboring border provinces – but encompassing all provinces along the EWEC,” he stated.

Supported by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, the second B2G meeting is initiated by MI’s Regional and Local Economic Development – East West Economic Corridor (RLED-EWEC) Project and co-hosted by Savannakhet Provincial Department of Planning and Investment.

August 20, 2019 (Mae Sot, Thailand) – Mekong Institute (MI), through its Regional and Local Economic Development – East West Economic Corridor (RLED-EWEC) Project, delivered a training on Opportunity Insights on Cross-Border Transportation between Thailand and Myanmar as part of its efforts of promoting more inclusive and equitable growth in the Greater Mekong Sub-region. The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) supported program gathered 50 government officials and logistics operators from Tak Province.  

Anchored on the Initial Implementation of the Cross-Border Transportation Agreement (IICBTA) between Thailand and Myanmar, the training is designed to address the needs and priorities of local stakeholders as raised in the Business to Government (B2G) meeting held earlier this year. It aims to provide participants with in-depth knowledge on IICBTA and its implications, and in doing so, equip both ends of the implementing and complying parties. In particular, the training intends to increase capacities of relevant government agencies to streamline the implementation process and effectively facilitate the enterprises; similarly, it builds on capacities of local logistics enterprises to adjust their business operational plans in line with emerging issues and opportunities. Ms. Phacharang Praprutitum, Chief of International Transport Affairs Group, Planning Division, Department of Land Transport, Ministry of Transport, served as the training’s key resource person.

Addressing the training participants, Mr. Chaiyaphuek Chiantranluk, Governor of Mae Sot District, Tak Province, underscored the importance of cross-border transactions and the benefits attached to it. “Tak situates itself as a strategic province for trade, investment, and logistics systems both in Thailand and ASEAN. Trade value between Thailand and Myanmar, through the Mae Sot-Myawaddy border alone, has been steadily growing over 80,000 million baht per year. This reflects the promising potentials and opportunities of such border checkpoints and international transport routes,” he stated. He would also like this meeting to provide a platform for discussion between local enterprises and concerned authorities to share their encountered challenges and air out their opinions and suggestions in moving forward.

The Implementation of the Cross-Border Transportation Agreement between Thailand and Myanmar recently took effect with a Memorandum of Understanding signed in March 2019. It furthers cross-border trade and regional transport network and connectivity through mutual cooperation and shared prosperity.

Mekong Institute (MI), in collaboration with the Office of Commercial Affairs, gathers cross-border traders, farmers, and farm managers and agricultural merchants in a training program on Cross-border Trade Procedures of Agricultural Products this July 30-31, 2019 in Nakhon Phanom Province, Thailand. Fifty participants come from Nakhon Phanom and Khammouane, Lao PDR.  

Aimed at promoting and enhancing cross-border trade facilitation of agricultural products between the two countries and the two border provinces, the training combines regulatory knowledge and practical approach to address the lack of understanding of local traders on requirements, policies, and procedures of cross-border transactions. In doing so, the training program covers up-to-date agricultural trade situations, standard compliance, and import-export processes complemented by a structured learning visit to a logistics company and border crossing point in Nakhon Phanom. 

In his opening remarks, Mr. Khamnuan Suwandee, Director of the Office of Commercial Affairs in Nakhon Phanom, stated that “the training is an important and meaningful collaboration between entrepreneurs in Nakhon Phanom and Khammouane because the import-export is connected to three provinces in three countries (Nakhon Phanom, Thailand; Khammouane, Lao PDR and Quang Binh, Vietnam) along Rd. 12.” According to him, the training can foster better understanding on import-export procedures to drive the smooth growth of cross-border trade.

As an initiative borne out of the Nakhon Phanom-Quang Binh-Khammouane Business to Government Dialogue in April this year, the training continues to serve as a platform for exchange among officials and stakeholders from both sides of the 3rd Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge International Border to share and discuss import-export procedures for a streamlined and efficient border trade.

The training program is delivered under MI’s Regional and Local Economic Development Project (RLED-EWEC) through the support of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation. To learn more about the project, visit http://www.mekonginstitute.org/what-we-do/ongoing-projects/rled-ewec-project

In a bid to further strengthen cross-border trade in the East West Economic Corridor (EWEC), Mekong Institute (MI) through its RLED-EWEC Project recently co-organized the EWEC Business Forum 2019 with the Mukdahan Commercial Affairs Office on June 26-27, 2019 in Mukdahan Province, Thailand. Around 180 government officers and entrepreneurs (producers, importers and exporters) from the provinces along the EWEC particularly Vietnam’s Quang Binh and Quang Tri; Lao PDR’s Khammouane and Savannakhet provinces; Myanmar’s Myawaddy province and Thailand’s northeastern and northern region provinces, joined the two-day event.  

MI’s RLED-EWEC Project has been playing a key role in advancing cross-border trading along the EWEC with a series of Business to Business (B2B) and Business to Government (B2G) dialogues in the major provinces, Mukdahan included, held since last year.

Mr. Chanyan Sirimas, the Governor of Mukdahan Province, remarked that the East West Economic Corridor offers several valuable points for economic development, notably Mawlamyine in Myawaddy, Myanmar, Savannakhet in Lao PDR, Lao Bao and Danang in Vietnam, as well as Tak and Mukdahan in Thailand. “I sincerely hope that this Forum can give opportunities to entrepreneurs to network and explore market opportunities, and ultimately help increase business revenue to boost our economy,” he added.

Ms. Jantipa Pattamasewi, Director of Mukdahan Commercial Affairs Office, also underscored that, in addition to offering a platform for establishing partnership and fostering cooperation, the event also intended to highlight the trade potentials and investment opportunities in the EWEC in particular in terms of import and export.

In addition to panel discussions and product presentations, the event’s highlight was a business matching among enterprises from the participating provinces. Some 16 enterprises were matched, with the partnerships formalized through a signing of a Memorandum of Understanding witnessed by representatives of key government agencies of the provinces.

Mekong Institute’s RLED-EWEC Project continues efforts in advancing cross-border trade in the region with a series of exchange platforms. The most recent one was the Business to Business (B2B) meeting held in Savannakhet Province on June 14, 2019. Spearheaded by Savannakhet Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SCCI), Mukdahan Chamber of Commerce (MCC), and Quang Tri Business Association, the B2B gathered representatives and stakeholders from the business sectors in the three border provinces.  

The B2B intended to inform participating business operators on the progress of the action plan implementation by the provincial governments following the first Business to Government (B2G) dialogue in Mukdahan last year, and to open the floor for business operators from the three provinces to share pending and emerging issues on cross-border trade activities as well as identify corresponding solutions to address these challenges. 

During the meeting, Mr. Atthidlaty Savankham, Vice President of Savannakhet Chamber of Commerce and Industry, co-chaired the meeting and highlighted the need to follow-up the action plan implementation and encouraged participants to openly discuss their ideas on cross-border trade issues and solutions.

The meeting concluded with a consolidation of 12 new trade-related issues, of which four issues were raised by Savannakhet, one from Mukdahan, and seven from Quang Tri Province. Lessons learned from the previous dialogue were also discussed such as the need to shift from conventional proposals to more concrete and evidence-based proposals on improving fee and charge collections and functional operations at the borders. A case in point is the development of a joint research on operational costs of land and maritime transport via the EWEC trade path and nearby competitive routes such as road no. 12. The proposals and strategies drawn from this B2B meeting will be presented to the respective provincial governments in a second B2G dialogue tentatively scheduled in August.

The Ambassadors of Canada, New Zealand, Norway, and Switzerland to Vietnam came to Quang Tri as part of a two-day official visit for firsthand information on the post-war situation in the province as well as review local development projects funded by the G4 countries. One of which is the Regional and Local Economic Development – East West Economic Corridor (RLED-EWEC) Project funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC).

On May 10, 2019, Sa Ry High Quality Coffee Farmer Group welcomed the delegation comprised of Ambassadors Deborah Paul (Canada), Wendy Matthews (New Zealand), Grete Løchen (Norway), and Beatrice Maser Mallor (Switzerland), accompanied by MI Executive Director Dr. Watcharas Leelawath, EWEC Project Director Ms. Jutamas Thongcharoen, and staff members of the EWEC Vietnam Field Office.

Bannering dynamic collaboration, the farmer group impressed the delegation with its mixed ethnicities and strong community spirit. It consists of 57 members, of which 35 are Bru Van Kieu ethnic minority and account for 52.2% of poor households in the village. The group also prides itself for supporting four female-headed families and one disabled member. The Sa Ry group further narrated how the Project – through Business Direct Linkage and Quadripartite Model – has helped improve income and livelihood in Huong Phung commune, Huong Hoa district. Technical support from MI in applying these business models has enabled them to upgrade farming and harvesting practices as well as boost business transactions. In 2017 and 2018, for instance, Sa Ry group earned an extra income of VND 119,135,700 with competitive prices of coffee cherries coupled with lower fertilizer costs and preferential bank loans. The group also shared their success factors characterized by collective action for achieving results, close collaboration among stakeholders, and commitment to producing specialty coffee and quality products.

View more photos of the visit: http://tiny.cc/ctun6y

To date, the RLED-EWEC Project has improved the livelihood of smallholder farmers in the coffee sector in Quang Tri Province, Vietnam; the rice sector in Khammouane and Savannakhet Provinces, Lao PDR; and the maize sector in Kayin State, Myanmar.

May 9, Quang Tri Province, Vietnam – Dr. Watcharas Leelawath, Executive Director of Mekong Institute, met with Mr. Nguyen Quan Chinh, Vice Chairperson of Quang Tri Provincial People’s Committee, to discuss continued cooperation on cross-border trade facilitation (CBTF) under MI’s Regional and Local Economic Development – East West Economic Corridor (RLED-EWEC) Project.  

Banking on the Project, Mr. Nguyen Quan Chinh noted how it has brought about tangible and sustainable results by improving income of coffee farmers and enterprises. He expressed appreciation of MI’s contribution to local socio-economic development by providing technical support and initiating collaborative platforms to enhance cooperation among the border provinces of Quang Tri, Savannakhet, and Mukdahan. Mr. Chinh also lauded Mekong Institute for publicizing border clearance procedures at Lao Bao Border Crossing Point, which ensures transparency in public service and at the same time significantly reduces cost and time for import-export entrepreneurs. Mr. Chinh added that Quang Tri would prioritize resources to deliver excellent results from the SDC-funded Project as it draws to phasing out. Lastly, he confirmed the provincial government’s continued cooperation with MI for further human resource development and regional integration.

The courtesy visit capped-off with an LoA signing ceremony on MI’s technical and financial support to facilitate border crossing for commercial vehicles and caravan tours between Quang Tri and Mukdahan. The agreement was initiated by a Business to Government (B2G) dialogue between representatives of the business community and provincial governments of Quang Tri, Savannakhet, and Mukdahan held in Mukdahan, Thailand on August 8, 2018.

May 8, Quang Binh, Vietnam – The MI team led by Executive Director Dr. Watcharas Leelawath paid a courtesy visit today to Mr. Le Minh Ngan, Vice Chairman of the Quang Binh Provincial People’s Committee. , Vietnam.

The visit comes a month after the Business to Government (B2G) meeting held last April 10 in Khammouane, Lao PDR that brought together business and government stakeholders from Khammouane as well as two other border provinces of Quang Binh and Nakhon Phanom, Thailand.  

The team discussed with Mr. Le Minh Ngan updates on the status of the Memorandum of Understanding between MI and the three provincial governments, which was one of the notable agreements reached in the B2G meeting. Dr. Watcharas reiterated the importance of the B2G meetings in facilitating better cross-border trading in the border provinces, as well as the pathways it can open to building good relationships between MI and the provincial governments like Quang Binh in other capacity development activities.

Mr. Le Minh Ngan on the other hand thanked MI for organizing initiatives such as the B2G meeting, which provided governments of the provinces a chance to discuss issues concerning cross-border trade. He reported that relevant agencies have already been informed of the issues and recommendations forwarded during the last B2G meeting, and proposals beyond the purview of the local government will be submitted to higher authorities for further consideration and discussion. He likewise suggested that MI continue the B2G initiatives in order to further fast track work on cross-border trade facilitation in the East West Economic Corridor.

Together with Dr. Watcharas were EWEC Project Director Ms. Jutamas Thongcharoen and staff members from the EWEC Vietnam Field Office.

The Business to Government (B2G) Dialogue on Cross-Border Trade Facilitation (CBTF) between Tak, Thailand and Myawaddy, Myanmar was held in Mae Sot on April 25, 2019. Around 100 stakeholders from both public and private sectors engaged in discussions toward seamless trade and strengthened collaboration between the two provinces.  

Drawing from a previous Business to Business (B2B) meeting in February, the dialogue aimed at strategizing concrete steps to resolve trade-related issues and further lay foundations for enabling environments. Among the key issues focused on enhancing efficiency and transparency of cross-border transactions including issuance of licenses and permits, taxation and regulations, import-export procedures, and border operations.

Local government leaders and officials from the border provinces, including Mr. Somchai Kitchareanrungroj, Vice Governor of Tak Province, Thailand, and Mr. Than Naing, State Minister of Planning, Finance and Development of Kayin State, Myanmar, expressed support for furthering CBTF. In his opening speech, Mr. Kitchareanrungroj shared that the export value between 2013 and 2017 continuously increased at an average of 15 to 35 percent per year. By the end of 2018, cross-border trade generated a total value of THB 80,000 million. “These figures translate to promising opportunities – from both supply and demand sides. With this, I encourage everyone to provide their inputs for an even more successful cross-border trade implementation,” he said. Likewise, Mr. Naing underscored the potentials of cross-border trade by stating: “As the second largest border in Myanmar, Myawaddy plays a key role in generating income and livelihood. Not only can it contribute to overall economic progress, it can also help strengthen diplomatic relations between the two countries.” The officials acknowledged that a sound compromise is essential in addressing existing bottlenecks and ensuring CBTF efforts complement both provinces.

In this regard, the meeting also tackled proposals and recommendations on pushing CBTF forward. Priority areas include improving infrastructure and public services and operations of border gates; lessening barriers for trade (import quota and seasonal import restrictions of agricultural products); increasing number of eligible banks serving cross-border trade in Myawaddy, etc. Proposals, which are beyond the authorities of the provincial levels, will be further proposed to the higher level or responsible platforms.

Dr. Watcharas Leelawath, MI Executive Director, emphasized cross-border trade as a strategic goal shared by the six GMS countries. “Similar to other border provinces along EWEC, the cooperation between Tak and Myawaddy is invaluable in boosting trade efficiency and competitiveness. Through an open and constructive exchange, we aim to jointly improve trade, logistics, and customs procedures from which both countries can reap economic and social benefits,” he stated. Dr. Leelawath also expressed appreciation for the turnout of the dialogue and reiterated Mekong Institute’s continuous support and active involvement in translating this process into tangible results.

The B2G Dialogue was organized by MI’s RLED-EWEC Project, with the support of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, and co-hosted by the Tak Chamber of Commerce and Myawaddy Chamber of Commerce and Industry along with the respective provincial governments.