Faced with COVID-19 pointing out digital divide in the region as an urgent concern, day-to-day technology with digital connectivity and e-commerce platforms are emerging as important drivers to connect Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Lancang-Mekong Countries to domestic and global markets. At present, MSMEs in Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar and Vietnam face several challenges that delay their adoption of technology and digital tools, including limited knowledge about available technologies and their applications. One of change in MSMEs sectors caused by pandemic crisis is rapid shift towards electronic services and digital payment systems across all businesses and many of them are related to enhancing cross-country trade and collaboration.

During this pandemic, digital technologies and connectivity has not only become a critical enabler facilitating continuity of regular lives and connecting people more than ever before, but it is also an important foundation in achieving each of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

There is urging to upgrade MSMEs stakeholders in better utilize and transformational potential of digital connectivity for the SDGs will be best achieved when governments, the private sector, civil society, and other stakeholders work towards a common goal to narrow the digital gaps and create a more inclusive development as a part of pandemic recovery support.

The Lancang-Mekong Cooperation (LMC) as one of mechanism has played an important role in enhancing the overarching efforts towards development in the region through connectivity tools and digital transformation brings new tools as ‘digital connectivity’ to provide opportunities for the region to cope with the current crisis and to overcome longer-term development challenges.

With the support of the People’s Government of the People’s Republic of China, Mekong Institute (MI) is implementing one year project on “Fostering Digital Connectivity in the Lancang-Mekong Countries” to identify challenges and opportunities and share the experiences on digital connectivity in MSMEs sector and enhance the key stakeholders’ capacity by introducing digital platforms, with focus on successful experiences in applied digital technologies for sharing among Lancang-Mekong countries in the links of digital connectivity which contribute to SDGs and LMC.