LAUNCHING THE PROJECT ON “ENHANCING COMPETITIVENESS OF THE SMALL AND MEDIUM-SIZED ENTERPRISES ALONG THE SOUTHERN ECONOMIC CORRIDOR (SEC) IN THE ASEAN MEKONG SUB-REGION”

Trade and Investment Facilitation

Bangkok (March 18, 2016) – Mekong Institute (MI) organized an Inception Workshop to formally launch the Project on “Enhancing Competitiveness of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises along the Southern Economic Corridor (SEC) of the ASEAN Mekong Subregion” (Project) in Bangkok, Thailand. The workshop aimed to introduce the project goals, objectives and activities together with an indicative work plan for the period 2016 – 2017 to the members of the Project Steering Committee (PSC) and stakeholders and seeks their contribution and support to the Project and its implementation progress towards the sustainable achievement. 

With support from the Government of Japan through the Japan-ASEAN Integration Fund (JAIF), the Project is implemented in 19 provinces along the Central Sub-Corridor (8 provinces) and the Coastal Sub-Corridor (11 provinces) on the SEC in Cambodia, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam, with a focus on capacity building development activities related to (i) Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SME) clusters and network, (ii) Trade and Investment promotion through public and private partnerships and (iii) Strengthening business development services (BDS) providers. This aims to contribute to rapid economic development and inclusive growth in the targeted border provinces through enhanced promotion of trade and investment, and competiveness for SMEs and private sector. 

The workshop was attended by representatives from Asian Development Bank (ADB), Embassy of Japan in Thailand, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), Ministry of Labor and Vocational Training of Cambodia, Ministry of Commerce of Cambodia, Ministry of Industry and Handicrafts of Cambodia, Ministry of Commerce of Myanmar, Ministry of Industry of Myanmar, Ministry of Industry of Thailand, Ministry of Commerce of Thailand, Ministry of Industry and Trade of Vietnam, OTAGAI Forum Association, the Republic of the Union of the Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Federation of Thai Industries (FTI), Board of Trade Thailand, and Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry. 

With the key messages delivered by the Embassy of Japan, Mekong Institute (MI), and country remarks by Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam together with discussions and consensus of the participating representatives on the Project governance and structure, arrangements to implement the Project activities in conformity with the desired goals and objectives; and the functions and responsibilities of the PSC led by the Mekong Institute (MI) in 2016, the workshop was successfully concluded. It was unanimously decided that the next PSC meeting will be co-chaired by Republic of the Union of the Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry along with MI in 2017. 


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To find more information on the Project, please visit our website at www.mekonginstitute.org

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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.