A five day Regional Workshop on Capacity Development Programme for Chamber of Commerce and Industries (CCI) and Business Association (BA) along East West Economic Corridor (EWEC) is being held at Mekong Institute from 6th to 10th December 2010. The course aims at developing the capacity of industry associations, trade promotion agencies and chambers of commerce in understanding the role of their organisation in the light of developments taking place globally and thereafter exposes them to various issues and strategies involved in trade and investment promotion activities. 

The programme was inaugurated by Mr. Rattanatay Luanglatbandith, Regional Cooperation Economist, Thailand Resident Mission, Asian Development Bank (ADB). Speaking at the inaugural session, Dr. Ratannatay stressed the need for economic cooperation to alleviate poverty in the EWEC. He also cited the importance of inclusive growth to provide development opportunity and emphasized the role of CCIs to promote trade and investment in EWEC. Dr. Suchat Katima, MI Director, welcomed the participants and highlighted the advantage of transportation and communication facilities of EWEC, and urged the participants to use them as leverage to encourage foreign investors to invest in the EWEC provinces. Mr. Madhurjya Kumar Dutta, Program Manager of Trade and Investment Department, introduced the objective and the content of the training programme. 

The program is attended by 40 participants representing CCIs, Bas, Trade Promotion Office, Ministry of Commerce and Federation of Thai Industries from Thailand, Laos and Vietnam.