ROUND TABLE MEETING: SME CLUSTER AND VALUE CHAIN INTEGRATION MI, THAILAND, 31 JAN – 1 FEB

Trade and Investment Facilitation ,EWEC

Last Friday (1 February) saw the conclusion of the two-day round table meeting on SME cluster and value chain integration in the CLMV countries. The meeting provided national researchers with a platform through which to discuss, critique, and exchange research findings conducted between November 2012 January 2013 looking specifically at SME cluster, production expansion, and value chain integration. 

Dr Gautam Dutta from the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade and Mr Sanjay Pal from the Entrepreneurship Development Institute of India acted as principle research coordinator and chief resource person respectively, working closely with the national researchers during the two-day meeting. 

Studies presented in the meeting covered specifically targeted business sectors including the rattan and silk sector (Cambodia), silk and furniture (Lao PDR), mango and fisheries (Myanmar), tea and ceramics (Vietnam), and meat processing (Thailand). 

The meeting promoted greater understanding among a range of SME stakeholders in the CLMV and uncovered a number of issues and challenges requiring attention whilst producing consensus on how to mitigate such issues. All research findings and recommendations will be thoroughly disseminated at upcoming national workshops scheduled between February and March 2013 in the CLMV countries.

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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.