MI AND DEPA JOIN HANDS IN THE PROMOTION OF DIGITAL ECONOMY IN THE MEKONG SUBREGION

Sustainable Energy and Environment

December 29, 2021, Bangkok – Mekong Institute (MI) and The Digital Economy Promotion Agency (DEPA) formalize today a new landmark cooperation agreement to jointly promote digital economy for a better connected, prosperous and resilient Mekong subregion.

The signing ceremony of the Memorandum of Understanding between the two organizations is led by MI’s Executive Director Mr. Suriyan Vichitlekarn and DEPA President & CEO Dr. Nuttapon Nimmanphatcharin at DEPA Headquarter. The MoU formalizes the collaboration between MI and DEPA in the conduct of trainings and workshops, undertaking of research on digitalization, knowledge exchange and sharing of knowledge resources and information networks, and exchange of personnel. 

This is an excellent opportunity for MI because we are keen to scale up the successes of DEPA on digitalization and technologies for implementation and adoption in our member countries in the region particularly Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar and Vietnam

Dr. Nuttapon Nimmanphatcharin stated that the objective of the project is to tie digitalization with the use of potential applications of digital technology to drive the development to help increase the productivity of the region’s sectors, improve incomes and livelihood, ultimately contribute to advances the SDGs despite pandemic in the region. 

The excellent fit of MI and DEPA’s thematic focus and what this collaboration could bring for the Mekong region. “Working with MI marks another journey for us of joining hands in three specific areas – building up capacities around the Mekong region, learning from each other on digitalization and innovation, and extending intangible knowledge, and therefore bring in more value creation into the region.

Additionally, this cooperation will bolster cross-border trade, as the Ministry of Commerce reported overall cross-border trade, including transit trade, totaled 778.4 billion baht between January and September, and increase of 38.06% over this year’s first 9 months. Of the total, exports made up 1,275.5 billion baht. The Ministry of Commerce anticipates that Thailand’s border and cross-border trade performance will yield a gross value of 789.2 billion baht in 2021, 3% increase.

More information about The Digital Economy Promotion Agency (DEPA)  

The Digital Economy Promotion Agency or DEPA, a public organization under the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society of Thailand, was established to promote and support the development of digital industry and innovation and the digital technology adoption in order to achieve economic, social, and cultural and security benefits for national competitiveness.

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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.