Nanning, China – September 23-27, 2024 – In cooperation with the China-ASEAN Business Center (CABC), the Mekong Institute (MI) led a delegation from Thailand to the 21st China-ASEAN Expo (CAEXPO) in Nanning. The delegation included representatives from the Department of Trade Negotiations (DTNs) of the Ministry of Commerce of Thailand (MOC), the Northeastern Regional Office of the Board of Investment (BOI), and public and private representatives of Special Economic Zones (SEZs) and Industrial Estates (IEs) in Northeastern Thailand, including Mukdahan SEZ, Nakhon Phanom SEZ, Nong Khai SEZ, and Udon Thani IE.
This visit is part of MI’s three-year project titled “Special Economic Zone (SEZ) Promotion for Intra-regional Trade and Investment in the Lancang-Mekong Region,” set to run from 2024 to 2026. Funded by the Lancang-Mekong Special Fund (LMCSF), and in coordination with the Ministry of Commerce of Thailand, the project aims to strengthen investment ties, promote cross-border trade, and enhance cooperation within the region through SEZs and industrial parks.
The primary goals of the Nanning trip included:
- Showcasing SEZs and IEs: Highlighting Northeastern Thailand’s economic zones during the CAEXPO
- Connecting with Investors: Engaging potential investors, industrial parks, SEZs, and investment promotion agencies from China, ASEAN countries, and beyond
- Identifying the Competitive Advantages: Assessing the investment advantages of Thailand’s SEZs and IEs to formulate future strategies.
Key Activities
On September 24, representatives from Mukdahan SEZ, Nakhon Phanom SEZ, and Udon Thani Industrial City Co., Ltd. signed Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) with CABC and several industrial parks in Qinzhou, Guangxi, China. This collaboration aims to foster long-term investments and enhance economic cooperation.
Invited by the Industrial Park Development and Investment Promotion Agency of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, MI and Thai delegates participated in a dialogue meeting focused on enhancing communication between the China-ASEAN Industrial Cooperation Zone and key ASEAN industrial parks. Mr. Madhurjya Kumar Dutta, Director of MI’s Trade and Investment Facilitation (TIF) Department, emphasized China’s significant economic engagement in the Mekong subregion under initiatives such as the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and Lancang-Mekong Cooperation. Mr. Dutta expressed a strong interest in strengthening trade and investment ties with Guangxi province, recognizing it as a crucial corridor for connecting with ASEAN.
On September 25, delegates explored CAEXPO exhibitions to discover market trends and innovative products, technologies, and business models that facilitate trade and investment through SEZs and IEs. They also participated in the “ASEAN Special Economic Zones & Industrial Parks Investment Promotion and Project Matching Event,” connecting with potential investors from China and other ASEAN nations.
On the last day of trip, the delegation visited leading companies in Guangxi, including the Guangxi Liyuanbao Science and Technology Group, the Huangshi Group Co., Ltd., the China-ASEAN Information Harbor Co., Ltd., and the Guangxi Nanning Wuxiang New Area Planning and Construction Management Committee, to understand their innovative technologies and sustainable development practices.
A Synthesis Workshop was organized post-trip to reflect on insights gained regarding SEZ investment promotion strategies. Discussions highlighted:
- Infrastructure Needs: Emphasizing enhanced infrastructure for attracting investors.
- Technology Integration: Advocating for advanced technology adoption.
- Business Matching: Improving business matching processes.
- Targeted incentives: Promoting region-specific industries like logistics, clean energy, and technology.
Following CAEXPO’s promotion of three SEZs and one IE in Northeastern Thailand, MI plans two upcoming activities. First, a training workshop is scheduled for October, to share best practices among SEZ authorities, practitioners, experts and potential investors. The second activity is planned for November where MI will partner with CABC to invite Chinese investors to visit the four provinces for firsthand information on investment opportunities.
About China-ASEAN Expo
The China-ASEAN Expo (CAEXPO) is an international economic and trade event endorsed by leaders from China and ASEAN countries. For the past 20 years, it has been held annually in Nanning, organized by the People’s Government of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region and co-sponsored by the Ministry of Commerce of China (MOFCOM), along with its counterparts from the 10 ASEAN countries and the ASEAN Secretariat.
The upcoming 21st CAEXPO will take place at the Nanning International Convention and Exhibition Center (NICEC) from September 24-28, 2025, focusing on trade in goods, investment cooperation, trade in services, advanced technologies, emerging industries, and city of charm.
About Mekong Institute
Established in 1996 as an intergovernmental organization (IGO), the Mekong Institute (MI) represents all six Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) countries. Throughout the years, MI has played a transformational role in regional cooperation and integration through capacity development, dialogue, and policy advocacy for the acceleration of sustainable socioeconomic development and poverty alleviation in the GMS.
About the Project
The LMCSF-funded project, “Special Economic Zone Promotion for Intra-Regional Trade and Investment in the Lancang-Mekong (LM) Region,” aims to enhance SEZ development while promoting sustainable growth through optimized investment strategies and strengthened supply chain linkages. Ultimately, the project seeks to improve livelihoods and boost intra-regional trade through increased supply chain efficiencies in Thailand and the LM region. Activities include participation in investment and trade events, training workshops, investment tours, and promoting SEZs’ online presence and virtual business matching through an SEZ web portal.
