A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signing ceremony on behalf of the Mekong Institute (MI) and The International Institute for Trade and Development (ITD) was held in the offices of ITD in Bangkok on 12 January 2010.
The MOU reaffirms the commitment of MI and ITD to the objective of sustainable economic and social development and emphasizes the importance of efficient dissemination of knowledge and research, as well as promoting effective economic cooperation through undertaking research and analysis, and conducting educational training and capacity building activities.
The MOU commits MI and ITD to promoting sustainable development and trade liberalization initiatives along the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) Economic Corridors and the GMS at large as well as supporting the capacity building of human resources on international trade, finance and investment in order to ensure state competency and sustainable development.
MI and ITD will facilitate cooperative initiatives in the area of sustainable development to increase awareness and information sharing amongst key stakeholders through joint research; workshops and seminars; and regional and international forums.
The MoU was signed by Dr. Suchat Katima, Director, MI, and Mr. Weerasak Kowsurat, Executive Director, ITD.
Dr. Katima welcomed the opportunity to conclude an MOU with ITD and acknowledged the important contribution ITD can make to training and research on trade-related and development issues. He expressed optimism about the possibility for both institutes to successful collaborate on research and measures to enhance the potential and capacity of human resources in the GMS.
Mr. Kowsurat congratulated MI on its transformation into an autonomous international organization. He welcomed the importance placed on trade and investment facilitation by MI within its operational framework. Mr. Kowsurat said he was looking forward to both institutes working in a collaborative and complementary way to effectively address some of the needs and concerns of the region.
