Taking off from the successful Khon Kaen Forum in 2020, Mekong Institute (MI) and Khon Kaen Chamber of Commerce (KKCC) officials are planning to launch another dialogue-for-action event in 2021 to highlight the value of economic corridors and a Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) city node network.   

“It will be an opportunity for government officials, regional partners, and economic experts to convene and present recommendations that will bridge infrastructure, services, and products for the stimulation of economic development,” MI Executive Director Mr. Suriyan Vichitlekarn said, explaining that investing in economic corridors and city hubs will help link supply and demand sides of the local and regional markets.

He added that working to transform rural areas, where untapped human resources and economic potentials are concentrated, into city hubs will help equalize employment, business, and other socioeconomic opportunities to a wider Khon Kaen population.

This statement was seconded by Mr. Channarong Buristrakul, the newly-appointed President of KKCC.

“We look forward to nurturing our strong partnership with MI by sharing our expertise in promoting Khon Kaen as a model GMS city node for the benefit of people in the GMS, particularly in the areas of medical services, digital technologies, and creative innovation, ” he said.

In addition to the planned forum, MI and KKCC officials are cementing an alliance to promote public-private partnerships that will boost the economic profile of Khon Kaen Province. This will include joint promotion of projects and activities that will advocate the province’s comparative advantage as a gateway to the GMS.