Mekong Institute (MI) opens this week the International Training on Green Freight and Logistics Development. The two-week training program is being mostly held at the MI Residential Training Center until May 29 and will also involve structured learning visits (SLVs) and a closing ceremony in Bangkok on May 29-31.  

The training program, which aims to promote awareness of the importance of sustainable practices in the transport and logistics industry, brings together 19 participants from 16 countries: Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Burundi, Ethiopia, Malaysia, Mauritius, Mexico, Mongolia, Morocco, Myanmar, Nigeria, Palestine, Philippines, Samoa, Sri Lanka and Tajikistan.

Addressing the participants who come mostly from key relevant government agencies, Mr. Madhurjya Kumar Dutta, Director, Trade and Investment Facilitation Department, explained the background and history of the Greater Mekong Subregion. Mr. Dutta also spoke about the different initiatives on green freight and logistics adopted by MI. Mr. Dutta also stressed the importance of “green”, which remains at the core of the training program. He explained that with globalization and the increase in cross – country investments, there is also a heightened demand in transport and logistics.

MI and international experts will be providing their technical expertise on the six modules to be covered in the training such as concepts, significance and approaches of green freight, green freight labelling, certification and preparation, issues such as financial benefits at a company level, green technologies for green freight and logistics, carriage of dangerous goods, measurement of green logistics performance, introduction to driving simulator, policies, international agreements and conventions on global transport and, maritime transport and port development. The course also includes structured learning visits, with the participants visiting Interoll (Thailand), Bangkok Port and Thai Customs House in Bangkok.