Publications

Written by Mekong Institute

The Mekong Institute conducted a ten-day learning program on "Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) for the Junior Riparian Professionals (JRPs)" for 12 JRPs from line agencies of National Mekong Committees of the four lower Mekong Countries one JRP from Myanmar, the dialogue member country and one newly recruited professional staff of MRC Navigation Programme. The program, which was carried out on 14 to 25 January 2013 aimed to provide the participants with knowledge and skills used in integrated water resources management in the context of Mekong cooperation and to learn some of the emerging issues and development initiatives in the Mekong basin.

The learning program was designed and delivered using modular training approach wherein all participants went through three progressive stages: a) "Learn to do" – where participants are provided with the knowledge and tools to apply in their work; b) "Do to learn" – where participants can apply what they have learned in their assignments with proper coaching from resource persons; and c) "Share to learn" – where participants are given an opportunity to present their group works/findings and to share their learning experiences and lessons learned. To enhance the learning experience, a field visit to 4-Ps Basin Pilot Project1 in Kratie Province, Cambodia was organized to provide the participants a first-hand opportunity to apply the knowledge gained from the program.

The learning program comprised seven interrelated modules, namely, 1) Introduction to IWRM, 2) Mekong Water and Peoples, 3) Enabling Environment: Institutional Roles and National Regulatory Framework, 4) Management Tools: IWRM Planning, 5) Management Tools: Meaningful Engagement of Stakeholders in IWRM, 6) Management Tools: Using Indicators to Measure Progress and Performance, and 7) Other Development Initiatives in the Mekong Basin.

The key resource person who contributed to the design and delivery of the lectures throughout the learning program is Dr. Suchat Katima, Director of the Mekong Institute. Prior to the field visit of 4-Ps Basin Pilot Project in Kratie province, the participants were given the background information of the project by HE Watt Botkosal, Deputy Secretary General and National Coordinator for Basin Development Plan (BDP) and Mekong Integrated Water Resources Management Project (M-IWRMP).

The evaluations conducted throughout the program confirmed that the learning program was successful in attaining the training objectives and in meeting participants' expectations. Most of the participants were satisfied with the program as shown in the average rating by participants on the attainment of objectives at 4.58 and the attainment of participants' expectations at 4.54. Using a scale of 1 to 5, this indicated that participants found both objectives of the learning program and participants' expectations were fully attained. Recommendations for training improvement include the following: to encourage the participation of China to participate the program to foster cooperation and greater collaboration among the countries in the Mekong basin, to allocate more time for practice in the field visits, to provide location map before commencing the field visit, to provide time to discuss with local people during the field
visits; and to provide translators during the field visits.

Written by Mekong Institute

The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) and the Mekong Institute (MI) agreed to collaborate on a specific project to develop partnership and promote cooperation between the two parties. Two five-day Structured Learning Visits on "Farmerled Community Enterprises" were conducted from December 19
to 23, 2012 and January 9 to 13, 2013 for 70 district officials and farmers from Puok, Sotnikhom, Varin, Banteay Srei, Angkor Chum, Kralanh Districts under Green Belt project. The Structured Learning Visit aimed to provide first hand information and xpose participating e farmers in how Thai smallholder farmers and local producers add value to their products.

Three MI facilitators were involved in organizing the program, translating, facilitating discussions, and sharing experiences with the participants. The participants visited five places namely; Sriviroj Farm Co., Ltd. and Sum Sung Safe and Chemical Free Vegetable Growers Group in Khon Kaen province, Thalad Sour Fish Group in Nong Bua Lumphu province, Ban Jod Women Livelihood Development Group in Roi-et province, and Surin Rice Fund Organic Agriculture Cooperatives Ltd. in Surin province. At the end of each Structured Learning Visit, the participants presented their reflections on what they have learned, which practices they can apply when they return and what are the difficulties that prevent them from applying the gained knowledge.

The results of the evaluations conducted throughout the program showed that both Structured Learning Visits were successful both in attaining the program objective and meeting participants' expectations. Most of the participants were satisfied with the program as shown in the average rating by participants on the overall satisfaction to the program at 4.89. Using a scale of 1 to 5, this indicated that participants were fully satisfied with the program in terms of program design and contents, as well as the overall organization and management of the program. However, there were some
suggestions for improvement such as including field visits to poultry and swine farms and extending the duration of the program to 7 days.

The participants also indicated that this Structured Learning Visit encouraged them as farmers to take active action for their livelihood and requested to organize again next year.

Written by Mekong Institute

The two-day Roundtable Meeting marks the end of the Phase 3 of the Mekong Institute New Zealand Ambassador Scholarship (MINZAS) Program. MINZAS is a collaborative program between the Mekong Institute and the New Zealand Embassy in Bangkok aiming to provide professional development opportunities for masters degree students from CLMT countries through a structured training program and research assignment under the guidance of experienced regional and international experts. An important part of the scholarship program is to provide the scholars a training course on Research Methodology.


The training course on Research Methodology was held from February 02 29, 2012 at the MI Residential Center in Khon Kaen Province, Northeast of Thailand. At the end of the four-week training course, the participants developed a research proposal that incorporated the knowledge and skills acquired during the training. The proposal was to be conducted upon their return to each of their respective countries based on the agreed methodology and timeframe. The twelve research proposals are (1) The Study of Cross border Myanmar Migrant Workers Labor Market: Policy Implications for Labor Management in Chiangrai City, Chiangrai Province, Thailand; (2) Response of Lao Government to Chinese Investments in Service Sector in Namtha District, Luang Namtha Province, Lao PDR; (3) Impacts of Chinese, Outward Investments on Agricultural Transformation and Rural Development: Evidence from Oudomxay, Northern Laos; (4) Factor Affecting  Trade between Laos and Principal Trade Partners; (5) Impact of Increasing Trade on North-South Economic Corridor on Hmongs Ethnic Way of Life in Chiangkhong District, Chiangrai Province, Thailand; (6) Impact of Border Closure on Local Economic Border Communities: A Case Study of Chong Chom Checkpoint, Kap Choeng District, Surin Province; (7) Identification of Underutilized Crops in Mondulkiri Province with Emphasis on Socio-Economic Aspect (Case study in two communes, Mondulkiri Province); (8) Socio-economic Impacts of Community-Based Natural Resource Management in Siem Reap Province; (9) Peoples Participation in Community-Based Natural Resources Management in Prek Tnout Community Protected Area, Kampot Province, Cambodia; (10) The Economic Impact of Adopting Good Agricultural Practices in Mango Production on Farmers in Sagaing Region; (11) Does Microfinance Reduce Poverty in Lao PDR Case Study: Soukhoumar District Champassak Province, Lao PDR; and (12) Beliefs and Rituals of Khwan in Tai Khoen Community in Kyaing Tong, Shan State, The Republic of the Union of Myanmar.


The MINZAS Roundtable Meeting provided a platform for the scholars to present and share the research results. The meeting also created a platform for deliberation of the results and validated the findings among experts. Three subject matter experts were invited to present an overview on the research topics in the context of the GMS. Home advisors of the twelve students were also invited to provide comments and feedbacks for further improvement of the research reports.

 

Written by Mekong Institute

The GMS has arrived at a crossroads in meeting the needs and keeping the balances whereas hydropower presents great economic and energy gains, at the same time, concerns have intensified over the potential cumulative impacts the proposed schemes have on the environment and the peoples livelihoods in the Mekong Basin

In response to this dynamic situation, the Mekong Institute had the pleasure of organizing a regional seminar sponsored by the Government of P.R. China and hosted by the Royal Government of Cambodia on Water Energy and Environmental Protection in the GMS Meeting the Needs andKeeping the Ecological Balance held from March 21-23, 2012, in Cambodiana Hotel, Phnom Penh, Cambodia. The seminar focused on promoting regional cooperation for sustainable management oft he growing number of hydropower projects in the region. It included detailed discussions and presentations on regional experiences, developing regional technical knowledge and sharing best practices relevant to all stages of planning and implementation.

The seminar was attended by over 70 representatives from state agencies, private enterprises and civil society from across the GMS and beyond who are directly involved in sustainable hydropower and environmental protection in the GMS. The three-day event was organized in three parts. Day one provided an overview on sustainable
hydropower development featuring presentations on Cambodias current status and issues an exemplary sustainable hydropower plant in China, and an overview of the importance of hydropower in the context of the GMS. Day two gave experts from each GMS country the opportunity to update everyone on each countrys current water energy statuses, sharing lessons learned and best practices in the aspect of hydropower development. That same day, a courtesy call was made to H.E. Sok An, Deputy Prime Minister of Cambodia, and was followed by a dinner cruise along the Mekong and Tonle Sap Rivers. On the third day, three discussion groups were formed to deliberate on three top priority issues concerning South-South Cooperation:
(1) Regional WaterEnergy and Power Interconnection,
(2) Subregional Environmental Protection, and
(3) Setting-Up Regional Water Energy Networks in the GMS. The first group deliberated on power interconnection issues, and found that the main issues are: the lack of coordination between sectors and countries, environmental concerns to be considered, negotiation imbalances, and the absence of a master plan for all countries to adhere to. The recommendations included putting-up environmental protection guidelines and information-sharing


Proceedings of the Water Energy Development and Environmental Protection in the Greater Mekong Subregion
A Regional Seminar with the theme: Meeting the Needs and Keeping the Ecological Balance mechanisms, setting-up a regional regulatory framework on negotiation, and for the Mekong Countries to develop a master plan jointly.

The second group raised the following issues in subregional environmental protection: the lack in researches and studies on the environment as well as the dissemination thereof, the need for strong commitment from investors to improve or provide sustainable livelihood, and the lack of a regional legal framework among countries that are affected. To these issues, they recommended that the governments should take the leading role in research and the dissemination thereof, strengthen the environmental monitoring system, develop a regional legal agreement on benefit-sharing, and develop a Regional Environmental Fund.

The third group was tasked to identify, if a regional network would be set-up, who it shall comprise of, what their roles would be and what possible engagements or activities they could set forth. With this, they have identified that the new task force or network should comprise of: various officials from the GMS and its working groups, organizations like the MRC and MI, the private sector, academe and development partners, as well as a presence from ASEAN economic/ socio-cultural agencies. Their roles would be to coordinate, mobilize funds, plan & monitor, negotiate, transfer or disseminate information and support policy makers with activities ranging from database development, meetings and seminars, researches, capacity-building activities and many others.

In summary, all three priorities discussed pointed to the same needs:

(1) a regional platform or body for discussion and collaboration;

(2) a regional framework or master plan that takes into account the different countries needs and concerns and (3) a regional information/data sharing mechanism toconnect and update all stakeholders on matters of importance and relevance in the development of sustainable hydropower.

The seminar resulted in a number of significant outcomes including:

A heightened and updated understanding on the issues, challenges and needs concerning hydropower in the different countries in the GMS

A shared understanding that a common platform, or framework for the Mekong Mainstream is needed in order to protect and balance the various needs of the upstream and the downstream countries

An increased awareness on the benefits, importance and underlying opportunities in South-South Cooperation

Recognition that a wide range of stakeholders need to be involved in all stages of the process, from development to implementation

With this, the Mekong Institute pledges to disseminate the results of the seminar to all participants, sponsoring and host governments, and aims to work with partnering organizations and interested Southern donors to develop proposals to implement the recommended actions garnered from the seminar. MI will also communicate back to all participants on the approved projects their recommendations helped put forth.

Written by Mekong Institute

The Mekong Institute conducted a series of value chain studies on potential crops that promote cross-border trade between the twin provinces of the countries in the Economic Corridors in order to upgrade the value chains and address the key issues that smallholder farmers face. The goal of value chain development is to improve household incomes, boost employment, reduce poverty as well as promote food security at the household level. The main objective is to identify the main problems affecting the crop value chain and propose interventions for value chain improvement.

Maize was selected for the value chain study because it is one of the most suitable crops for cross-border trade in the Southern Economic Corridor. Cambodia imports hybrid seeds from Thailand and Vietnam, while Thailand and Vietnam import Cambodia's maize.

The main problems in the maize value chain in Pailin include the decline in production and the lack of formal quality standards. The decline in maize production in recent years is attributed to a number of factors, such as changes in the maize cultivated area, the decline in productivity, and the lower profits from production. The decline in production is also associated with changes in global demand for maize and unstable import from Thailand over the past few years. Other problems include the use of poor quality seeds and agro-chemicals and the degradation of soil fertility. Inadequate farmer knowledge about soil management and the use of traditional production technology also affect product quality and productivity.

The absence of formal quality standards is associated with the lack of awareness among the responsible line agencies, lack of equipment/materials, and problem related to staff motivation and mobility. The lack of awareness is due to poor information flow, lack of capacity development for the staff of concerned agencies and the agency budget constraints.
Two areas of interventions are proposed to address productivity and production decline. Improving farmer's productivity and profit margins can be achieved by the introduction of modern technologies in maize cultivation and the improvement of regulatory measures with respect to input supply and use. Problem areas such as changes in global demand and Thai producer subsidy policies are regarded as temporary constraints.

Similarly, there are two areas of interventions in formalizing quality standards for maize. These are improving the awareness and capacity of the responsible agencies and providing incentives to motivate staff to improve work performance.

Written by Mekong Institute

Longan is the third important crop in Pailin province, after cassava and maize. It has a high growth potential in the years to come. The production area has shown a steady growth over the past five years with annual production output increasing respectively.

In 2012, the total planted area was 425 ha with a production of about 1, 000 tons. Recently, longan producers can receive a considerably higher profit if compared to other crops and they have been able to enjoy fruit-bearing trees in different seasons to secure a higher market price. However, there are many problems in longan production and marketing. To understand the overall situation clearly, value chain mapping and analysis including supply chain were conducted. To identify issues and constraints along the chain faced by value chain actors have been identified and recommend upgrading strategies. Three approaches were employed in data collection namely the structured interviews, key informant interviews and focal group discussions (FGD). The structured interview was conducted mainly with actors in the value chain using a questionnaire developed for each actor. The key informant interviews were conducted with value chain supporters while FGD was used to understand the role of gender in longan cultivation such as labor division, financial decision-making, livelihood strategies, and constraints and issues in longan production.

The core processes of longan value chain in Pailin province is comprised of input provision, production, collection and retailing. There are approximately 165 households growing longan, 60% of which are large privately owned farms of up to 10 ha while the remaining 40% of farms lie between 1 to 1.5 ha. To obtain higher price, farmers use chemical treatments to induce flowering of longan and make the fruit ripe for high demand seasons. It takes about six months from flowering to fruit development, so harvesting is done between 5.5-6.0 months after blooming. Approximately 60% of fresh longan is supplied to domestic markets whereas remaining 40% is collected by Thai buyers through negotiation with the longan farmer cooperative. Thai buyers use Thai quality standards for longan by grading the fruits into three grades, namely A (55-75 fruits/kg or 14-18g/fruit), B (76-80 fruits/kg or 12.5-13.2g/fruit) and grade C which consists of more than 80 fruits per kg. The latter grade encompasses most small fruited seedless types and does not meet export market requirements. There is no existing quality standard for longan in Cambodia and the domestic markets for fresh longan do not require standards.

The relationships between the different actors within the longan value chain and the farmer cooperative is quite dynamic in developing efficient channels to get the product grown and marketed. However, there is little or almost no relationship between actors and government agencies because the development of longan research, education and extension services are weak and there is no effective mechanism to foster these links.

The relationship among farmers is seen in the form of exchanging the production knowledge and agricultural inputs. There is no relationship among collectors while there are some linkages between farmers and collectors or between farmers and exporters in terms of doing supply agreements or providing credits.

The major costs in longan production consist of installing irrigation systems planting, plant husbandry and induced flowering on bearing plants. The basic investment cost including installed irrigation, seedling and land constitute 42% of total production cost in three years. Plant husbandry consists of water management, fertilization, weeding, and pruning. The cost and margin analysis suggests that the cost and net profit are shared more by farmers and retailers although farmers incur the highest percentage of added unit cost.

Farmers have been using advanced cultural practices as well as off-season cultivars for higher productivity, quality and profitability. Some farmers are very experienced in cultivation of longan. Despite some success, farmers have experienced a number of problems such as non bearing-trees, high mortality rate of seedlings, adverse weather conditions, price instability, and large proportion of fruits not meeting quality standards for export market, trade facilitation issues at border, and so on. Nevertheless, farmers remain optimistic as the demand for high quality fruit remains high, especially in the export market. Hence, future intervention should be focused on improving productivityand promoting high quality of longan.

Written by Mekong Institute

The Project “Enhancing Provincial and Local Chambers of Commerce Capacities in Trade and Investment Facilitation along East-West Economic Corridor” was implemented by Mekong Institute from January 2011 to December 2012, in collaboration with ADB Thailand Residential Mission and Private Sector Development Unit of Trade and Investment Promotion Division of UNESCAP. The project was funded by the Japan Government through Japan-ASEAN Integration Fund (JAIF), ASEAN Secretariat. The aim of this private sector development is to promote inter and intra trade and investment in and between 11 provinces along East-West Economic Corridor encompassing Vietnam, Laos, Thailand and Myanmar.

EWEC was chosen for this development intervention because it is the least developed corridor in the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS).It covered 11 commercial nodes along EWEC. They are Myewaddy, Maesot, Phitsanulok, KhonKaen, Kalasin, Mukdahan, Savannakhet, Dansawanh, Dong Ha (including Lao Bao Special Economic Zone) , Hue and Da Nang (including three border nodes: Mae Sot – Myewaddy, Mukdahan – Savannakhet, and Dan Sawanh – Lao Bao)

Major activities carried out in the last two years include: a) Executive Seminars/Policy Dialogues, Structured Learning Visits and networking events for Decision Makers and Exporters; b) a series of capacity building programs (modular training approach) on priority areas related to trade and investment in the sub-region for Core Group of key staff of Chambers of Commerce and Industries (CCIs) and SME associations; and c) Business information system, database and exchange.

Major outcomes of this project are:

1.      EWEC Business Network. The project is very successful in promoting business network among SMEs and members of CCI along EWEC. This is evidenced by the establishment of EWEC Business Network; regular exchange visits and joint business events among the CCIs; an annual EWEC Trade Fair which commenced in 2012 hosted by Danang CCI and, for 2013, to be hosted by KhonKaen CCI.

2.      EWEC Biz Database. This Biz Database is the outcome of a modular training program on Conducting Business Research and Market Intelligence. It was developed jointly with 11 Provincial Chambers of Commerce and Industries and contains provincial profiles and investment potentials of every province on EWEC and over 1200 company profiles. The database is being updated by the respective CCIs.

3.      Improved Websites of GMS Business Forum and CCIs. The project team provided training to and worked with the GMS Business Forum and selected Chambers of Commerce in improving their respective websites and install summary page in English.

4.      EWEC Product Displays and Information Center. Three EWEC Product Displays and Information Centers (PDIC) have been set up, one at KhonKaen CCI, one at KhonKaen Airport arrival hall and one at Savannakhet CCI. The PDIC provide opportunity for SMEs of EWEC to display their products and provide information about their services.

5.      EWEC Private Sector Development Repository System. The project team compiled all documents generated by three private sector development projects, i.e. a) ADB Thailand Resident Mission project on “Strengthening Local Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCIs) along the East West Economic Corridor to Promote Trade, Investment and Value Chains”, b) UNESCAP Research and Policy Recommendations on “Business for Development: Capacity building of SMEs in the Greater Mekong Subregion for their effective penetration into regional and global markets” and this project. The archives are placed at MI GMS Resource Center and are available for public in hard copies and electronic files. It comprises research papers, manuals, training packages, reports and projects information. MI Trade and Investment Glossary (MITIF) developed under this project are also made available at this corner.

To continue to provide technical support and backstopping to CCIs and Provincial authorities on EWEC after the project end, MI has contracted one consultant – Trade and Investment Expert to assist EWEC Biz Network to: a) conduct cross-border value chain analysis and mapping of three commodities:  Glutinous rice of Nakhon Phnom; Khammoune, Arabica coffee of Lao Bao – Dansavanh; and  maize of Myewaddy – Maesot; b) organize, in collaboration with Khon Kaen Governor Office and Khon Kaen CCI “EWEC Silk Executive Seminar and Investor Forum”; and c) provide technical support and backstopping to CCIs on trade and investment opportunities.

The final evaluation results showed that the project is highly relevant, effective, efficient but too small and two short duration to create clear impact. Lessons learned from and good practices of this project are being replicated and expand to Southern Economic Corridor and North-South Economic Corridor of the Mekong Subregion. This initiative also caught the attention of development partners and as a result, Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation has agreed to provide multi-year funding for a regional development project on EWEC.

Written by Mekong Institute

A. Principle Conclusions

(1) Relevance: Satisfactory

• The project was by any measure very relevant for the EWEC region and its direct beneficiaries – the provincial and local CCIs and business associations. The under-utilization of the available infrastructure and the reform measures already put in place along the route by the private sector, resulting in low level of trade and investment activities, having little impact on poverty reduction and socio-economic development in the EWEC, poses a serious need to external interventions by champions organizations like MI, as well as funding support by donor agencies.
• TA to provincial and local CCIs and BAs would help to turn them into ‘catalyst’, or ‘agent for changes’ in the context of a private sector which is not very well-developed. MI and the project have chosen to focus whatever resources available on building the capacity of a narrow core group instead of spreading thin to cover all the vast needs and demands of the region.
• The needs analysis done at the onset of the project was very comprehensive and the project was well-designed with choice of activities excellently made.
• The type of activities undertaken within the framework of the Project is within the core competencies of MI: capacity development and regional networking. The impact that the Project wishes to bring about – more trade and investment in the EWEC region – is also within the priority areas of MI, which is regional cooperation and integration, socially as well as economically.

(2) Effectiveness: Satisfactory

• The project has been quite effective in building the capacity of various individuals as well as institutions (CCIs, BAs, etc) along the EWEC in terms of trade and investment. There is also a strong feeling of goodwill towards MI throughout the region for initiating this project as well as other activities that the Institute has done so far which benefited these stakeholders.
• All the targeted outputs were delivered as planned, all activities completed while some extra activities was also added to complement those originally designed in achieving the intended outcome of the project.
• The executive seminar undertaken within the framework of the project has not been able to bring about any policy outcomes as intended. We should, nevertheless, appreciate that it has been successful in raising awareness and disseminating information about business opportunities and development potentials along the EWEC, as well as cultivating the necessary political will for pushing forward the sub-regional cooperation and integration agenda.
• The SLVs were extremely appreciated for their effectiveness in developing business networking and promoting lesson-learning and replication of best practices and successful business models.
• The training content of the project is considered very useful by all stakeholders, due to the relevance of knowledge and skills delivered, as well as the quality of trainers and the training approach adopted by MI. We, however, have doubt about the “training-of-trainers” approach of the project since we see that there is a lack of structured mechanism for sharing of knowledge and skills by the trainees at MI with their colleagues once they are back to office.
• The EWEC Website and Database is also an unique tool developed by MI and the project. Though it remains low key at the moment, it has the potential of becoming a much stronger tool in the future, once some adjustments are made and once the promotion of the website and database itself is more strategically made. 

(3) Efficiency: Satisfactory

• The project has a good steering and implementation structure. However, the role of the Project Steering Committee could be strengthened. Reporting should be done on the basis of the LogFrame which has been excellently drawn up during the designing phase of the project, to focus more on performance and outcome-reporting rather than activity and output-reporting as of now.
• The absence of “micro-management” by the donor became an incentive for MI to choose the best cost solutions for project activities, which enable savings, result in surplus of funds which were subsequently used for additional activities.
• The efficiency of delivering technical assistance by the project is mixed. The biggest problems include: (i) coordination with other projects led by ADB and UNESCAP, (ii) the selection of participants for project activities, and (iii) language barrier due to low English proficiency.
• Project funds were efficiently allocated, used and managed. 

(4) Impact/Sustainability: Satisfactory

• The project has been able to build the capacity of members of CCIs and BAs, as well as entrepreneurs in the region, as well as provide useful working tools for these institutions, which would be sustainable by themselves.
• The impact of the project on trade and investment facilitation and socio-development in the EWEC region remains anecdotal and limited since it is just a pilot initiative to test the water; while needs and demands in this regard of the region is vast. Such impacts should only be expected in the longer run and requires additional resources and activities.
• The project is not yet sustainable by itself, and the role of MI is still essential but there is much “buy-in” of the stakeholders. Therefore, any future programme and initiative could expect more contributions from them to increase local ownership as well as partnership.

B. Key Recommendations

1. Expand and deepen the current project into a bigger programme (with at least 3-5 years’ term) which would provide hands-on and direct support to members of the private sector in the EWEC region, still using the CCIs and BAs as the bridge. This programme should be designed in consultation with other relevant actors such as the ADB, UNESCAP as early as possible.
2. Recognizing that the private sector is not a heterogeneous group, the new programme should try to develop tailor-made support/solutions which cater to the needs of the respective groups or stakeholders, for example, the SMEs, the farmers’ groups, household businesses. 
3. Capitalize on the deliverables, outputs produced under the current project such as the EWEC Website and Database, the SME Product Display and Information Centre, as well as other training materials.
4. Explore new approaches in the new programme to boost trade and investment activities in the region, instead of only facilitating trade and investment. For example, MI could think about starting/administering some sort of Business Challenge Fund to support proposals which are about innovative business models which could contributing to trade and investment promotion along the EWEC, or which create employment and ease poverty.
5. Buttress in contributions from the private sector and institutions such as big CCIs in the region to increase ownership and partnership.
6. Selection of industries and sectors to be included in the new programme should be done on the basis of competitiveness mapping, to ensure focus. Furthermore, in such industries, the narrower focus should be on developing value chain and consortia/clusters.
7. If MI/the new programme would like to continue support the capacity development of CCIs along the EWEC, it should focus on strategic institutional aspects and sustainability aspects of such activities, to avoid continuing to build the capacity of individuals.
8. Build in advocacy elements/activities to address policy bottlenecks at the high level (i.e. central governments of GMS countries) in the new programme.
9. Undertake more awareness raising and information dissemination activities regarding the legal and policy framework concerning cross-border trade and investment activities, for example the CBTA, the ASEAN Common Effective Preferential Tariff Scheme (CEPT) or the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC), etc.

C. Synthesis and Evaluation Workshop

Cross-cutting recommendations made during the workshop (organised on the 17^th of December, 2012 at the Mekong Institute) for the activities to be carried out in a proposed 2^nd phase of the project include:

1. Further training and capacity building activities for CCIs’ staffs as well as member enterprises related to specific skills and specific industries.
2. Business matching events with regard to specific products and industries, which could potentially be transformed into EWEC annual trade fairs or tourism fairs.
3. EWEC database to be further developed in the direction of self-sustainability since this is recognized as an important tool to ensure business networking within the EWEC region as well as a bridge to reach to traders and investors (companies) from outside the region.
4. Structured learning visits for specific studies to further promote intra-regional and extra-regional networking.
5. Advocacy and consultation with central governments of all EWEC countries to be undertaken so as to highlight the problems and seek political support for developing the region.
6. Support (financial as well as institutional) to be provided for start-up ventures along the EWEC region such as EWEC bus lines or organic farming groups.
7. Market research to be undertaken vis-à-vis specific sectors/industries so as to help the stakeholders identify and make the best use of business opportunities.

Written by Mekong Institute

Underutilized crops including wild plants for foods represent a rich portfolio of crop genetic resources that are particularly overlooked in the agricultural development agenda. They show significant potential to enhance food security, improve nutrition, diversify income options and recover marginal lands into food production, which strengthen social, economic growth, and ecological services. However, their role is often ignored or underestimated by crops researchers, planners and policy makers, donor agencies, public and private investors, extension services and economists. Therefore, reintroduction, management and promotion of underutilized crops are highly important for future food security, agricultural diversification and economic growth. To fulfill these gaps, crop surveys, including information on ethnobotany and socioeconomics were done together, and the threats and the strategies to safeguard them were identified. There were 50 species of underutilized crops and 32 species of wild food plants documented and their roles in Trang Teh and Romonea were described in terms of food security and economic growth opportunities. Many underutilized crops as well as wild food plants still remain important to these two local communities; however, farmers may no longer be able to grow their own traditional varieties and landraces due to changing climate as shown by recent droughts, pest attacks and crop failure. Together, biodiversity status in the research areas has decreased due to fire, pests and diseases, lumbering, mining encroachment, economic land concession and infrastructure development. Therefore, the conservation of plant genetic resources (PGR) will attempt to provide the background, current research, some approaches to develop potential strategies and to conserve underutilized crops which are the keys for sustainable food security and poverty alleviation.

Written by Mekong Institute

A study on the beliefs and rituals of Khwan in Tai Khoen in Kengtung, Shan State, reflects the relationship of the beliefs, rituals, the way of life, and the social systems in Tai Khoen group. This paper aims to create an understanding of the importance of the belief systems. Khwan is a traditional custom that the Tai ethnic groups share until today. This research made use of a qualitative approach study. The researcher collected the data from four Tai Khoen villages in Kengtung, Shan State which are: Phakham village, Nongla village, Nonghong village (or Nongcha village) and Nongbua village. The researcher collected the data about belief and rituals that concern with Khwan from the target group involved with the culture and rituals on Khwan of Tai Khoen, Kengtung, Shan State. They are the Tai Khoenmonks, Khwan ritual master,Khwan owner in the ritual, people who take part in the ritual, and the Kopaga group committee. This study showed that the roles and functions of Khwan play an important part in Tai Khoen groups social systems and in their culture because of the following reasons: emotional responses, community unity, cultural identity, moral, and education in Tai Khoen community. However, the beliefs and rituals of Khwan in Tai Khoen Community have undergone inevitable change due to society, politics, economy, culture, and in general the way of life.