Mekong Institute is inviting 24 mid-level officials representing government, business associations, and the academe from Cambodia, P.R. China, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam to attend the “Special Economic Zones Management Practices” modular training from June 15 to 19, 2020 at the MI Training Center in Khon Kaen, Thailand.  

TRAINING BACKGROUND
The five-day training is designed to (a) strengthen the Special Economic Zones (SEZs) and Cross Border Economic Zones (CBEZs) knowledge base by sharing their global and regional progress; (b) build capacities of government and private sector representatives in SEZ management (e.g., strategies, policies and practices, institutional and governance issues, socioeconomic and environmental impacts, and monitoring and evaluation); (c) share best practices on SEZs and CBEZs and provide country-specific case studies on SEZ and CBEZ development, (d) promote learning exchanges, and (e) share information in the Economic Zone project database to foster investments among Lancang-Mekong member countries.

The training is part of a three-year project on “Joint Development of Cross-Border Economic Zones” implemented by MI and in coordination with Thailand’s Ministry of Commerce. With support from the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation Special Fund, the project aims to promote SEZs and strengthen coordination among Cambodia, P.R. China, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Vietnam, and Thailand to boost trade and investment within and outside the Lancang-Mekong region.

TARGET PARTICIPANTS
The training caters to mid-level officials from government ministries and provincial departments, as well as those from academic institutions and business associations from Lancang-Mekong countries. Specifically, the training is open to:

1. Government representatives from the ministries of planning, finance and commerce, as well as other agency officials responsible for SEZ and/or CBEZ development and customs
2. Private sector representatives from business or export associations and banks
3. University faculty members and academic experts

The applicants must:

1. Have three to five years’ experience in SEZ and/or CBEZ policy and strategy development
2. Hold a university degree in economics, socioeconomic planning and statistics management, political science, or other related fields in the social sciences
3. Be proficient in English speaking and writing
4. Have experience in cross-cultural exchanges
5. Commit to complete the five-day training sessions

APPLICATION PROCESS
Interested applicants must submit the (a) completed application form, (b) letter of nomination from his/her organization/office, and (c) passport copy no later than May 25, 2020 to Mr. Sokim Phang, Program Officer, at [email protected], copying Mr. Madhurjya Kumar Dutta, Director of Trade and Investment Facilitation Department, and Mr. Sa-nga Sattanun, Program Manager at [email protected] and [email protected], respectively.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Selected training participants will be provided with one round trip airfare, accommodation, meals, and a daily subsistence allowance during the training period. MI will also cover visa fees.

For more information on the training and requirements, please see the Curriculum Design Statement.