SLV ON AREA-BASED DEVELOPMENT, COMMUNITY AGRIBUSINESS, OTOP AND SME DEVELOPMENT IN THAILAND

Written by Mekong Institute

The structured learning visit (SLV) program on Area-based Development, Community Agribusiness, OTOP and SME Development was organized from 25 to 28 November 2009 and the sponsor is InWEnt gGmbH – Capacity Building International, Germany in cooperation with Mekong Institute, Inter-governmental Organization. The participants were District Governor, Manager and/or Chief level, Academic, Operating Officers/ Senior Trainers from government, non-government and private sector in the fields of capacity integration development from Cambodia and Lao PDR attended this learning visit program.  

The SLV was designed to explore best practices of Thailand in pro-poor product research and development, five-star OTOP, Micro-finance and community business, SME Cluster and Community learning center on sufficiency economy through observation and interaction with community enterprise group, technical support organization, and community livelihood development project pioneers around the basket areas in the Central region of Thailand (Bangkok, Ayutthaya and Angthong Provinces).

The program consisted of four learning days:

Day 1: Keynote Address and Setting the Context (Opening Remarks, Participant Familiarization, Exploring Expectation and Program Overview)

Day 2: Visit Pro-poor Product Research Development Projects and Five-star SME OTOP at Royal Chitralada Projects and Aran-yik Knife Community

Day 3: Visit Micro-finance at BAAC, OTOP Community by Sai Noi Womens Group and Local Learning Center on Sufficiency Economy by Ban Hae Community

Day 4: Presentations of Reflection to the Visits, Synthesis and Learning Evaluation and Return to Home Countries

Over the four days of the program the MI program facilitators completely facilitated the learning visits. The participants disclosed their feedback that the structure learning visit design in terms of knowledge gained, relevance and applicability to the job and meeting expectation were mostly attained(a total rating average 3.68%).

The participants evaluated that program service was very satisfied(a total rating average 4.55) in terms of material providing, time management and other logistic arrangement during the exposure visits. With regard to overall satisfaction, a total rating average 4.55 stated that program service was very satisfied. Based on the participants feedback, this report concluded that the SLV on Area-based Development, Community Agribusiness, OTOP and SME Development was successful. Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE TH

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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.