PROMOTING SME CLUSTER LINKAGES IN THE CLMV COUNTRIES

Trade and Investment Facilitation

Mekong Institute (MI) organized a regional training program on “Promotion of SME Cluster Linkages in the Greater Mekong Subregion” from April 6 – 10, 2015. The five day training is designed for the existing SME Clusters formed during 2012-2014 and new SME clusters in the Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam (CLMV countries) to build intra cluster linkages for enhancing their competiveness. 25 participants representing SME product clusters in Silk, Organic rice, Mango, Sea Food, Coffee, Furniture, Silver, Gems and Jewelry for the CLMV countries joined the training program. 

Speaking at the inauguration session, Mr. Madhurjya Kumar Dutta, Program Manager of the Trade and Investment Facilitation Department of MI, said it is important that the clusters are strengthened through inter cluster linkages and expand market possibilities through linkages with other developed/established clusters ‘cluster twinning’. This would allow the clusters to access market, technology, raw material, R&D, to enhance their competitiveness. 

The training will emphasize on practical sessions where the participants are required to identify and share the critical gaps such as management, production, skills and market, raw materials, technology, R&D, information/ know-how and export. The cluster members will discuss scope for potential collaboration and conduct preliminary business matching for establishing cluster linkages. The result of the business matching will form the basis of their cluster twining action plan to implement during the next three months. 

This training is part of the bridging project of the three-year project on “Capacity Building for the Integration of CLMV Economies into ASEAN Economic Community” from 2012-2014, funded by New Zealand Aid Programme (NZAP).

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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.