MI AND THE ROK PROMOTE SUSTAINABLE INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES IN AYUTTHAYA, THAILAND

Trade and Investment Facilitation

Ayutthaya, Thailand – October 2, 2023. Mekong Institute (MI), with the support of the Mekong-Republic of Korea Cooperation Fund (MKCF), organized the Mekong Heritage City Investment Forum in Ayutthaya, Thailand. The forum is the first of the five-part series under MI’s three-year Sustainable and Smart Tourism Development project. The said project aims to unlock the economic and environmental potential of selected heritage provinces of the Mekong region, including culturally rich Ayutthaya, Luang Prabang, Siem Reap, Hue, and Bagan.

These investment forums are designed to convene key government stakeholders, private sector associations, business innovators, and potential investors to promote sustainable tourism, address the specific needs of these provinces, facilitate the exchange of cutting-edge technology, and foster mutually beneficial partnerships.

The Ayutthaya Investment Forum served as a vital platform for investors local government and private sector stakeholders to identify and discuss investment needs, interests, and opportunities. This allowed them to connect and pave the way for future partnerships to transform Ayutthaya into a sustainable and smart heritage destination.

In his opening remarks, Mr. Kokchai Chayrusmeeku, Vice-Governor of Pra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Province, expressed his appreciation to Korean investors for their interest in reinforcing the growing partnership with Thailand and conveyed his enthusiasm to strengthen economic ties.

Building upon the Vice Governor’s remarks, Mr. Madhurjya Dutta, Director of the Trade and Investment Facilitation Department at the Mekong Institute, highlighted the importance of promoting tourism in Mekong heritage cities and expressed optimism that the forum would lay the groundwork for sustainable tourism development.

Among the highlights of the forum is the presentation of investment opportunity profiles in the province. Representatives from Ayutthaya’s tourism sector shared their vision for transforming Ayutthaya’s heritage sites into inclusive and accessible tourism destinations. They also discussed plans to enhance the city’s smart infrastructure through advanced technology, focusing on waste disposal, green energy, and possible public-private collaboration and partnerships.

Following the presentations was an investment matching conducted in small group discussions. Local stakeholders interacted directly with potential investors and business partners, allowing detailed discussions to clarify investment opportunity profiles, address queries, and foster meaningful connections.

Participants visited heritage sites and key business locations, providing further insights into Ayutthaya’s economy and an overview of its tourism market.

 

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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.