MKCF PROJECT SETS TO STRENGTHEN CLMTV CASSAVA INDUSTRY COMPETITIVENESS

Trade and Investment Facilitation

Representatives of Mekong Institute (MI), Excellent Center of Waste Utilization and Management (ECoWaste), National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC), Thailand’s National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA) oversaw the formal appointment of advisory board and steering committee members of the “Capacity Building on Circular Economy, Resource and Energy Efficiency for Productivity and Sustainability of Cassava Chain to High Value Product: Cassava Root, Native Starch, and Biogas in Mekong Countries” project on December 9, 2020 at the BIOTEC Office, Thailand Science Park in Pathum Thani, Thailand.  

“Cassava is among the major economic crops in Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam (CLMTV). This project will help Mekong countries increase their cassava production and processing yields for the benefit of stakeholders in the cassava industry,” Mr. Madhurjya Kumar Dutta, MI Director of Trade and Investment Facilitation, said.

Implemented by ECoWaste and BIOTEC, Thailand NSTDA with support from the Mekong-Republic of Korea Cooperation Fund (MKCF), the project was designed to promote breeding technology and precision farming, foster zero waste approaches, and institutionalize product diversification to boost the competitiveness of the cassava industry in CLMTV.

Professor Morakot Tanticharoen, Chairman of Project Advisory Committee extended his appreciation to MI for their support. He also underscored the critical role of the newly-appointed members in seeing through the successful implementation of the project. “We will need your expert recommendations so we can strategically move forward and meet all the deliverables by 2022,” he said.

In addition, Dr. Warinthorn Songkasiri, Director of Biochemical Engineering and Systems Biology Research Group, explained that the project was also developed to widen value chain networks and partnerships, as well as to introduce technologically advanced cultivation methods to increase cassava varieties in CLMTV.

MI attended the meeting as part of its responsibility as MKCF fund manager and coordinator. High-level officials and specialists from Thai Biogas Trade Association, Foundation of Thai Tapioca Development Institute, Mahidol Wittayanusorn School; Chulalongkorn University; Chiang Mai University; and Thai Tapioca Starch Association also participated to pool technical inputs into the project design and implementation.

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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.