Publications

Written by Mekong Institute

With support from the ASEAN China Cooperation Fund, the Mekong Institute implemented the one-year project on ”Enhancing Provincial and Local Chambers of Commerce Capacities in Trade and Investment Facilitation along the GMS North-South Economic Corridor (R3A & R3B)” from July 2014 to June 2015. The project comprised of three components with series of capacity development activities, which included two modular trainings on ‘Business Research and Information Management’ and ‘Trade and Events Promotion’, and one ‘structured learning visit cum business matching’. A synthesis and evaluation workshop was conducted in May 2015 to evaluate the project results and to assess possibility of another phase of the NSEC project. 
The aim of the project is to promote business linkage and information network among members of provincial and local Chambers of Commerce and Industries (CCI) and Business Associations (BAs) along the North-South Economic Corridor – Route 3A and 3B (NSEC R3A&B). The NSEC connects four Mekong countries namely Yunnan Province of P.R. China, Myanmar, Lao PDR and Thailand. The ultimate goal of this project is to support inclusive and more equitable development on the NSEC. With regard to performance against the annual plan, all scheduled activities from July 2014- June 2015 have been implemented and the objective has been achieved. 

Written by Mekong Institute

With support from the Mekong-Republic of Korea Cooperation Fund, Mekong Institute (MI) is implementing a three-year project on ‘Certified Logistics Master’. MI has completed the first phase of the project from July 2015 to September 2015.The phase I of the project comprised of four components for capacity development purpose; including setting the Greater Mekong Sub-region (GMS) logistical service standard, curriculum development, modular training and certification, and localization of core training. 

The overall objective of the project is to improve cross-border and transshipment logistics services through capacity development and accreditation of local Logistics Service Providers (LSPs) in the GMS economic corridors. The project also intended to decrease cross border logistics cost, improve quality and timely services of local logistics service providers, and integrate local logistics providers into the sub-regional, regional and global logistics chains. As per the activity, all the scheduled activities have been successfully implemented. 

Written by Mekong Institute

P. R. China, Lao PDR, Myanmar and Thailand are signatories to the 2000 Agreement for Coordinated Operation and Development of International Navigation on the Lancang-Mekong River and are all members of the Joint Committee on Coordination of Commercial Navigation on the Mekong-Lancang River (JCCCN), set up under the 2000 agreement. English is the adopted common language for communication in international navigation and commerce on the Lancang-Mekong, which borders all four agreement countries and also runs through two of them. Up to the present, the names Romanisation has not followed any standard, resulting in a variety of spelling and pronunciation of geographic names in English text or speech. This can give rise to uncertainty in communication involving Romanised geographic names, and present challenges in two types of situations: i) where swift action is required, such as a coordinated response to an urgent threat to life or property in navigation, or ii) where, in international trade in goods or services and related financing, effective and efficient decision making needs to be made on the basis of presented documents. The project to create a standard system of Romanised geographic names on the Lancang-Mekong is expected to reduce the uncertainty in communication and facilitate i) development of cross-border transport of goods and passengers; ii) related trade, tourism and financing; and iii) a cooperative development of commercial navigation on the Upper Mekong, all of which make up the core objectives of JCCCN.

Written by Mekong Institute

Myanmar's emergence from decades of isolation provides an opportunity to learn from the experiences of its neighbours to guide its economic transition and achieve strong and inclusive growth. The development of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) is an effective mechanism in achieving socioeconomic growth, but Myanmar poses a list of challenges that need to be overcome first, including poor infrastructure and limited market access. This paper proposes policy recommendations under seven key issues: business enabling environment, entrepreneurship development, access to financing, business development services, innovation and technology, market access, and cluster development. These recommendations are based on existing reviews of the Myanmar business community and the SME policy frameworks of various countries and combine to form a comprehensive policy framework. This policy framework will provide the government of Myanmar an opportunity to facilitate SME development, and with that the development of the country.

Written by Mekong Institute

Promotion of new SME clusters and development of existing ones are important for overall development of the economy of a country. Policy support to ensure development of SME in form of clusters can go a long way in improving their competitiveness by ensuring dynamic linkages to create opportunities. Therefore, it is important to promote growth of sufficiently integrated SMEs clusters in different sectors of the economy. This paper highlights the findings of the four action research on SME clusters conducted in the CLMV (Cambodia, Loa, Myanmar and Vietnam) with an aim to suggest measures for promoting SME clusters in these countries.

For more information please contact [email protected]

Written by Mekong Institute

The Mekong Institute (MI) conducted a one-week Regional Training Cum Workshop on "Trade Negotiation and Trade Policy Development" from 5th – 9th August 2013 at its Residential Training Center in Khon Kaen, Thailand. This regional training program is part of the three-year project on "Capacity Building for the Integration of CLMV Economies into ASEAN Economic Community" from 2012-2014, funded by New Zealand Aid Programme (NZAP).

Twenty-one (21) participants from Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Vietnam and China attended this training program comprising of senior and mid level government officials namely from Ministry of Industry and Commerce / Trade, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Industry, Mine and Energy, Ministry of Planning and Investment, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Ministry of Economy and Finance and Research Institutes.

The program focused on the current state-of-play in international trade and allowed the participants to develop a deeper understanding of ASEAN, the global trade system, the trade policies of individual CLMV countries, the facilitation of the AEC integration, tariff and non tariff measures and other developmental issues. Upon completion, each participant enable to:

• Demonstrate a better understanding of the AEC and global trade system, existing trade policies and emerging issues in the CLMV countries as well as the significance of accession as WTO member;
• Identify all possible areas of development and co-operation in trade negotiations with ASEAN members and other dialogue trade partners;
• Understand the process of trade policy development;
• Understand effective process, strategies and techniques in trade negotiation

This training applied as a Training of Trainer (ToT) approach to build up capacities of officials from the government agencies so that they can localize and replicate the ToT package to enhance utilization of trade negotiation and trade policy development in the respective GMS countries.

Mr. Stephen Olson from Economy Strategy Institute, Washington, D.C., acted as resource person to deliver specific topics on Evaluation of Global Trade System, WTO, AEC, Trade Policies in the GMS, and Trade Negotiation. Dr. Watcharas Leelawath, Deputy Executive Director, International Institute for Trade and Development, Bangkok, Thailand delivered on topic trade policy development. Mr. Madhurjya Kumar Dutta, an in-house resource person, shared a session on status of SME in GMS countries.

The training program was delivered through four inter-related modules:

Module 1: Setting the Stage – A Brief Overview of the Global Trade System
Module 2: Understanding the Status of Trade Policies in the GMS, and Accessing the Benefits
Module 3: Trade Policy Development
Module 4: The Art of Trade Negotiation

As part of the training requirements, the participants developed action plans to localize training packages to conduct National Workshop on Enhancing the Utilization of Trade Negotiation and Trade Policy Development in CLMV countries and China – to transfer the knowledge gained to trade negotiators, policy makers and practitioners of government agencies at the provincial and nation level in their respective countries. The national workshops will be organized within four months period from August – November 2013, before again gathering in mid of December 2013 for the follow-up ‘Synthesis and Evaluation Workshop' in Vientiane, Lao PDR.

The results from overall training program evaluation methods showed satisfaction rating by the participants. However, recommendations for improvement included guidance the action plan at the beginning of the program and provide more time to develop the action plan, more assignment such as session's exercise and quiz to make better understanding of the concepts of Trade Negotiation and Trade Policy Development.

Written by Mekong Institute

The Mekong Institute (MI) conducted a one-week Regional Training Cum Workshop on "Trade Negotiation and Trade Policy Development" from 5th – 9th August 2013 at its Residential Training Center in Khon Kaen, Thailand. This regional training program is part of the three-year project on "Capacity Building for the Integration of CLMV Economies into ASEAN Economic Community" from 2012-2014, funded by New Zealand Aid Programme (NZAP).

Twenty-one (21) participants from Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Vietnam and China attended this training program comprising of senior and mid level government officials namely from Ministry of Industry and Commerce / Trade, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Industry, Mine and Energy, Ministry of Planning and Investment, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Ministry of Economy and Finance and Research Institutes.

The program focused on the current state-of-play in international trade and allowed the participants to develop a deeper understanding of ASEAN, the global trade system, the trade policies of individual CLMV countries, the facilitation of the AEC integration, tariff and non tariff measures and other developmental issues. Upon completion, each participant enable to:

• Demonstrate a better understanding of the AEC and global trade system, existing trade policies and emerging issues in the CLMV countries as well as the significance of accession as WTO member;
• Identify all possible areas of development and co-operation in trade negotiations with ASEAN members and other dialogue trade partners;
• Understand the process of trade policy development;
• Understand effective process, strategies and techniques in trade negotiation

This training applied as a Training of Trainer (ToT) approach to build up capacities of officials from the government agencies so that they can localize and replicate the ToT package to enhance utilization of trade negotiation and trade policy development in the respective GMS countries.

Mr. Stephen Olson from Economy Strategy Institute, Washington, D.C., acted as resource person to deliver specific topics on Evaluation of Global Trade System, WTO, AEC, Trade Policies in the GMS, and Trade Negotiation. Dr. Watcharas Leelawath, Deputy Executive Director, International Institute for Trade and Development, Bangkok, Thailand delivered on topic trade policy development. Mr. Madhurjya Kumar Dutta, an in-house resource person, shared a session on status of SME in GMS countries.

The training program was delivered through four inter-related modules:

Module 1: Setting the Stage – A Brief Overview of the Global Trade System
Module 2: Understanding the Status of Trade Policies in the GMS, and Accessing the Benefits
Module 3: Trade Policy Development
Module 4: The Art of Trade Negotiation

As part of the training requirements, the participants developed action plans to localize training packages to conduct National Workshop on Enhancing the Utilization of Trade Negotiation and Trade Policy Development in CLMV countries and China – to transfer the knowledge gained to trade negotiators, policy makers and practitioners of government agencies at the provincial and nation level in their respective countries. The national workshops will be organized within four months period from August – November 2013, before again gathering in mid of December 2013 for the follow-up ‘Synthesis and Evaluation Workshop' in Vientiane, Lao PDR.

The results from overall training program evaluation methods showed satisfaction rating by the participants. However, recommendations for improvement included guidance the action plan at the beginning of the program and provide more time to develop the action plan, more assignment such as session's exercise and quiz to make better understanding of the concepts of Trade Negotiation and Trade Policy Development.

Written by Mekong Institute

The three-year project (2012-14) on "Capacity Development Program for Integrating CLMV Economies into AEC" sponsored under the New Zealand Foreign Affairs and Trade Aid Programme (NZAP) is being implemented by the Mekong Institute, Thailand.

The project aims to prepare the Mekong countries namely the CLMV (Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam) for the successful integration of their economic systems into the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) by 2015. Among five components of the project, the Trade and Investment Facilitation Department of MI is tasked with the implementation of two components namely: (i) integrating CLMV's Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) into ASEAN and Global Value Chains and (ii) increasing capacity of public and private sectors' organizations in trade policy development, Free Trade
Agreement (FTA) negotiation and implementation.

In order to provide adequate information for the project inception report and resultsoriented M&E plan, a need assessment study was conducted in the CLMV countries. The aim was to identify the roles and responsibilities of the relevant stakeholders and assess their capacities and identify gaps to define capacity building needs for developing a
capacity development plan and capacity building packages and strategies to respond to the needs within the framework of NZAP Project.

The assessment reveals that the prospect for consortia and SME clusters formation in the CLMV countries is potentially high, especially for products in handicraft and agro-based sector. However, the promotion of these activities is relatively weak, specifically in Myanmar and Cambodia, due to lack of knowledge and support services.

The assessment study observed that in the CLMV countries, although FTAs and bilateral agreements, mostly through ASEAN, have been concluded, their advantages have not yet been fully realized by export-oriented SMEs. The awareness of FTAs and related policies both among governments and private sectors is relatively low. Very few trainings or workshops on these issues have been conducted or if any, the SMEs participation seems
to be quite limited.

The functionaries of SME and trade promotion agencies both in the government and private sector attend a range of capacity building programmes. The top level management deals with policy level issues and attends regional and internal events such as forums, seminar and dialogues whereas the mid level functionaries attends specific training on skill improvement, awareness, subject specific topics and training of trainers both within and outside the country. The top management level of private sector body (Chamber of Commerce and Industry) is mostly engaged policy advocacy forums. For the mid level functionaries, the types of training range from WTO, trade negotiations, AEC integration, trade fair and participation in trade exhibitions. It is noticed that there has been no specific training on FTAs or any training directed towards utilization of FTAs by SMEs.

Though a range of trainings either on SME development or Trade development has been attended by the practitioners, it was reported that the scope for applying those skills has been significantly low. The trainings in most cases do not reflect the roles and responsibilities of the functionaries mostly in case of mid and junior level functionaries.

Another, hurdle in the acquisition of skill and knowledge in trainings outside the country is the skill level which is not at par with participants from other countries in addition to low English language capabilities mostly among the junior level functionaries. Further, it was observed that most of the trainings attended abroad are advanced in nature and are not in consistent with the requirements of day to day functions of the organizations.

However, the trainings provided within projects which are implemented by the organizations and funded by donors are relevant since these are built in programmes to enhance capabilities of the implementing agencies.

The study also identifies key organizations as focal point in the project countries. The role of the key organizations would be to coordinate all activities specific to their organizational mandate, assist in target participant recruitment and follow up action plan implementation and other assigned roles.

The importance of SME development through cluster approach is gaining ground as noticed in case of Vietnam and Cambodia however the knowledge is still limited particularly among the mid level and lower functionaries in all the CLMV countries.

With regard to FTAs, the knowledge seems to be limit ed particularly its utilization by SMEs. There is no systematic approach or attempt made in any of these countries to enhance utilization of FTAs by the SMEs.

The study acknowledges the importance to build capacities of the functionaries for SME cluster development and on enhancing utilization of FTAs by the SMEs. Since the role and functions of levels of functionaries are different, the study suggested specific capacity development packages for different level of functionaries and devise strategies to implement the two components of the project for the remaining two years of the project phase.

Written by Mekong Institute

The recent Synthesis and Evaluation Workshop on SME Cluster Development and Export Consortia Formation in CLMV conducted on 15-16 October 2013 in Phnom Penh – is part of the three-year project on "Capacity Building for the Integration of CLMV Economies into ASEAN Economic Community" from 2012-2014, funded by New Zealand Aid Programme (NZAP).

Fourteen participants, who are the MI-alumni from CLMV countries participating at the TOT training program on SME cluster development and export consortia at the Mekong Institute in May 2013, attended at this S&E workshop to reflect and learn from each other on the action plan implementation, and to share best practices, experiences, and outcomes of the implementation.

Participants of this workshop included (i) leaders of the CLMV national workshops who provided training and assisted the SMEs in their countries to develop SME clusters and export consortia including, mango and organic vegetable clusters (Cambodia), organic rice cluster (Lao PDR), macadamia cluster (Myanmar), and Van Phuck silk and Dongha silk clusters (Vietnam).

The workshop gave participants an open platform to share their action plan implementation experiences and discuss the progress, challenges, and hurdles faced during the formation, promotion and their into regional and global value chains.

Discussion on best practices and challenges in implementing the action plans allowed both the MI team and fellow participants to evaluate the learning process experienced by their peers. Feedback received during these sessions will be used to improve similar programs and workshops of MI in the future.

Written by Mekong Institute

The Mekong Institute (MI) conducted a one week Regional Training Programme on Product Market Identification for GMS " from April 29 – May 3, 2013 at its Residential Training Center in Khon Kaen, Thailand. This training program is part of the three-year project on "Capacity Building for the Integration of CLMV Economies into ASEAN Economic Community" from 2012-2014, funded by New Zealand Aid Programme (NZAP).

Thirty participants from Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam and Yunnan Province of PR. China attended this regional training programme. They were senior or mid level of officials and staff from government departments from Ministry of Industry and Commerce, Trade Promotion Agencies, Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Business Association and business entrepreneurs.
The programme aimed to support SME through identification of external market for their exportable products. SMEs in the GMS countries have been producing a wide range of products capable of capturing the external foreign markets. However, it is common that SMEs in the first stage of internationalization would require support with systematic procedure and process of obtaining information about the external markets. With this backdrop, the training is designed with the following objectives:

1. To facilitate the SMEs of the GMS countries in identification of external markets for their products.
2. To develop a pool of experts from each of the GMS countries who are well acquinted with the product market idenfication process with the help of trade data and using simple but effective trade analysis tools.
3. To develop a product – market identification system by using requisite software developed for the purpose and which can be readily used by different producers of GMS countries seeking external markets for their products.
4. The training programme was designed and delivered using a modular training approach with three progressive stages: i) "Learn to Do" – training on concepts, techniques and tools to be employed; ii) "Do to Learn" – the participants were required to apply what they learned in their work assignments with proper coaching from assigned advisors; and iii) "Share to Learn" – the participants had an opportunity to present the results of their group work, learning experiences and lessons learned. Dr. Gautam Dutta, an expert in International Marketing and SME Cluster Development acted as lead resource person for the training. Mr. Madhurjya Kumar Dutta, an in house resource person, delivered sessions on strategies for export development through formation of export consortia. Mr. Sa-nga Sattanun also contributed through coordinating the programme.

The training programme was delivered through five inter-related modules:
Module 1: Understanding mechanism of international trade and documentation system of these trade data in trade data base systematically for future use by the traders, analyst and policy makers. This module also introduced trade data base like trade map to the participants.
Module 2: Understanding the product codification system like Harmonized System code (HS code) and use of these product codes used in trade. This module also developed a list of exportable products with the involvement of the participants for each of the GMS countries and identify HS codes for the products of export interest of the GMS countries.
Module 3: Understanding the different trade data analysis tools like Shift Share approach, Revealed Competitive Advantage, Trade Intensity Index.
Module 4: Using trade data for target market identification for selected product/products through systematic use of the trade tools, stage wise, and short listing the countries of export interest. Use of concept like relative growth vs. absolute growth in arranging the countries of marketing interest are also introduced.
Module 5: Understanding the level of competition in the target countries due to export by other countries. Understanding the market access requirements like tariff and non tariffs existed in the target market through use of trade data base.

As part of the training requirements, the participants developed action plans to identify top 20 exportable products from their respective countries The action plans, will be implemented within the framework of two months during June– July 2013.

The programme evaluation results revealed a high level of satisfaction among the participants.