August 20, 2019 (Mae Sot, Thailand) – Mekong Institute (MI), through its Regional and Local Economic Development – East West Economic Corridor (RLED-EWEC) Project, delivered a training on Opportunity Insights on Cross-Border Transportation between Thailand and Myanmar as part of its efforts of promoting more inclusive and equitable growth in the Greater Mekong Sub-region. The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) supported program gathered 50 government officials and logistics operators from Tak Province.
Anchored on the Initial Implementation of the Cross-Border Transportation Agreement (IICBTA) between Thailand and Myanmar, the training is designed to address the needs and priorities of local stakeholders as raised in the Business to Government (B2G) meeting held earlier this year. It aims to provide participants with in-depth knowledge on IICBTA and its implications, and in doing so, equip both ends of the implementing and complying parties. In particular, the training intends to increase capacities of relevant government agencies to streamline the implementation process and effectively facilitate the enterprises; similarly, it builds on capacities of local logistics enterprises to adjust their business operational plans in line with emerging issues and opportunities. Ms. Phacharang Praprutitum, Chief of International Transport Affairs Group, Planning Division, Department of Land Transport, Ministry of Transport, served as the training’s key resource person.
Addressing the training participants, Mr. Chaiyaphuek Chiantranluk, Governor of Mae Sot District, Tak Province, underscored the importance of cross-border transactions and the benefits attached to it. “Tak situates itself as a strategic province for trade, investment, and logistics systems both in Thailand and ASEAN. Trade value between Thailand and Myanmar, through the Mae Sot-Myawaddy border alone, has been steadily growing over 80,000 million baht per year. This reflects the promising potentials and opportunities of such border checkpoints and international transport routes,” he stated. He would also like this meeting to provide a platform for discussion between local enterprises and concerned authorities to share their encountered challenges and air out their opinions and suggestions in moving forward.
The Implementation of the Cross-Border Transportation Agreement between Thailand and Myanmar recently took effect with a Memorandum of Understanding signed in March 2019. It furthers cross-border trade and regional transport network and connectivity through mutual cooperation and shared prosperity.
