Khon Kaen, Thailand – April 6-10, 2026 — The Mekong Institute (MI) successfully concluded a Regional Training Program on Digital Trade Facilitation for Agricultural Value Chains, equipping 25 policymakers, practitioners, and business leaders from Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand, and Viet Nam (CLMTV) with practical tools to modernize and strengthen cross-border agricultural trade.
Implemented under the Mekong CONNECT initiative (2025–2028) and supported by the Mekong–Republic of Korea Cooperation Fund (MKCF), the five-day program marks a key milestone in advancing digital transformation across the region’s agri-food systems—where over 60% of the population depends on agriculture for their livelihoods.
Opening the program, Ms. Guohua Liu, Director of Sectoral Development and Integration at MI, underscored the urgent need to accelerate digital transformation in agricultural trade. She highlighted that strengthening digital systems, standards, and cross-border coordination is essential to improving trade efficiency, resilience, and competitiveness in an increasingly complex global market.
From Policy to Practice: Building Digital Trade Capabilities
Through expert-led sessions and hands-on exercises, participants gained practical knowledge on:
- Digital trade facilitation frameworks and agreements
- National single window systems and paperless trade
- Digital certifications, including e-phytosanitary certificates and e-CITES
- Digital traceability, sustainability standards, and carbon accounting across value chains
A standout component of the program was a hands-on digital branding workshop, where participants applied Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools to design prototype marketing platforms—enhancing the visibility and competitiveness of agri-food products in international markets.
The program also addressed the growing intersection between trade, sustainability, and finance, equipping participants with tools to measure carbon emissions across supply chains and explore fintech solutions such as digital agri-insurance to support low-carbon compliance and risk management.
Bridging Innovation and Real-World Application
To translate learning into practice, participants engaged in a high-level panel discussion on “Digital Transformation of Agricultural Trade: From Compliance to Competitiveness,” featuring insights from leading institutions including the Digital Economy Promotion Agency (depa), the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC), Khon Kaen University, and the Khon Kaen Innovation Centre.
Structured Learning Visits further reinforced practical learning. Participants observed:
- Digital quality control and food safety systems at Central Laboratory (Thailand) Company Limited
- Community-driven carbon credit models under BAAC’s Tree Bank initiative
These experiences enabled participants to identify scalable innovations, strengthen understanding of real-world applications, and explore potential partnerships across the agri-food ecosystem.
From Learning to Implementation: Driving Regional Impact
A key outcome of the training was the development of country-level action plans, outlining how participants will apply digital trade solutions to address bottlenecks in their respective agricultural value chains.
The program is part of a three-phase capacity development cycle:
- Learning Phase (completed) – Regional training in Thailand
- Knowledge Application Phase (May–October 2026) – Implementation of action plans at national level with technical support
- Synthesis and Evaluation Workshop (October 2026) – Regional sharing of results and lessons learned
This approach ensures that knowledge gained is translated into practical, measurable improvements in trade facilitation, market access, and value chain efficiency.
Strengthening Regional Cooperation Through Digital Transformation
In closing, Mr. Madhurjya Kumar Dutta, Director of MKCF, reaffirmed the Fund’s commitment to supporting initiatives that strengthen regional cooperation and enable digitally driven, sustainable trade.
Through its role as a regional platform for capacity development and partnership facilitation, MI continues to support Mekong countries in building resilient, competitive, and digitally enabled agricultural value chains—unlocking new opportunities for trade, innovation, and inclusive economic growth.
