SEZs and Connectivity: Cementing Cooperation through Physical and Digital Connections
August 28, 2019
Mekong Institute (MI) is conducting a workshop on Enhancement of Business Connections and Information Sharing between Special Economic Zones (SEZs) in Lancang-Mekong (LM) Region on August 26-30, 2019 at its residential training center in Khon Kaen, Thailand.
Anchored on the development and operationalization of an SEZs online system developed by MI, the workshop focuses on updating information and knowledge on SEZs in the LM countries, identifying the benefits of up-to-date virtual info services on SEZs in LM countries, discussing issues of coordination, cooperation and information sharing mechanisms and one stop service centers in SEZs in the LM countries and fostering networking among participants for increased intra-regional cooperation. The workshop will be conducted through a series of plenary presentations, breakout sessions and presentations by breakout groups.
The workshop gathers stakeholders and representatives from government departments responsible for SEZs policy and implementation, SEZs officials, the private sector and, specialized agencies and institutions related to trade and investment.
Speaking on behalf of Dr. Watcharas Leelawath, Mr. Sudam Pawar, Director of MI’s Innovation and Technological Connectivity Department, underscored the importance of an enabling environment for trade promotion: “We hope that, through engaging in this workshop, you will be able to generate quality inputs and solutions with respect to business connections and information sharing among SEZs in your respective countries.” In line with this, the workshop will be complemented by participants’ action plan implementation to ensue three months after. It will be targeted at data collection for the SEZs online system as guided by the discussions and deliberations during the one-week workshop.
The workshop is organized under the project on Joint Development of Cross-Border Economic Zones implemented by MI, in collaboration with the Ministry of Commerce of Thailand, with the support of the People’s Republic of China through the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation Special Fund. Aimed at promoting cross-border trade and SEZs in the LM region, the project supports the establishment of a comprehensive SEZs database through capacity development, joint research, technical exchanges, and platform building.