Phnom Penh, Cambodia – 24 March 2026 — Mekong Institute (MI), in collaboration with the Ministry of Public Works and Transport of Cambodia, successfully convened a regional Training Workshop on the Development of a Transport and Logistics Information System (TLIS) for the Lancang–Mekong countries. The workshop forms part of a two-year regional initiative, “Transport and Logistics Information Systems in the Lancang–Mekong Region”, supported by the Lancang–Mekong Special Cooperation Fund.
The four-day workshop brought together senior officials and technical experts from Cambodia, China, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand, and Viet Nam, alongside development partners and private sector representatives. The initiative aims to strengthen digital connectivity, improve data exchange, and enhance evidence-based decision-making in the transport and logistics sector across the region.
Opening the workshop, H.E. Chhieng Pich, Under Secretary of State at the Ministry of Public Works and Transport of Cambodia, emphasized the need to complement physical infrastructure development with stronger digital integration. He highlighted that seamless connectivity in the Lancang–Mekong region will increasingly depend on interoperable systems and coordinated regional approaches.
Representing MI, Ms. Wen Hao, Program Manager, outlined the project’s objective to address critical gaps in data sharing and system interoperability. She underscored the importance of building a regional platform that supports coordinated planning, efficient logistics operations, and cross-border trade facilitation.
From Dialogue to Design: Co-creating a Regional TLIS
A key outcome of the workshop was the co-development of a regional TLIS concept and implementation roadmap. Through facilitated sessions led by MI, participants worked collaboratively to define the system’s architecture, geographic scope, and priority functions. Stakeholders identified key user groups, data requirements, and country-specific gaps, while also addressing critical issues related to data governance, institutional coordination, and phased implementation.
The workshop culminated in a draft action plan for a harmonized, user-driven TLIS, designed to complement existing regional initiatives and support more efficient cross-border transport and logistics operations.
Bridging Policy, Practice, and Partnerships
The program combined high-level policy dialogue with practical insights. Experts from the Asian Development Bank and the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific shared perspectives on regional frameworks and initiatives, including the CBTA Work Plan (2024–2028) and the Framework Agreement on Facilitation of Cross-Border Paperless Trade. These discussions reinforced the importance of data interoperability and standardization in achieving seamless regional connectivity.
Private sector engagement was another central focus. Customs officials, logistics associations, and freight forwarders shared operational experiences from key border points, highlighting persistent challenges in data sharing and system integration. The discussions underscored the need for real-time data exchange, stronger public–private collaboration, and alignment between national and regional systems.
Towards Seamless and Efficient Regional Connectivity
Participants agreed that advancing a regional TLIS will require sustained collaboration, adoption of common data standards, and stronger institutional coordination. These elements are critical to reducing logistics costs, improving trade efficiency, and enhancing the overall competitiveness of the Lancang–Mekong region.
In his closing remarks, H.E. Chhieng Pich reaffirmed the importance of translating dialogue into action, calling for continued cooperation to operationalize the TLIS and deliver tangible improvements in cross-border transport and logistics.
