Event Description

1. Introduction

Funded by the Government of Japan through ASEAN – Japan Integration Fund (JAIF), the Mekong Institute (MI) is implementing a two-year project on “Enhancing Competitiveness of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises in the Southern Economic Corridor (SEC) of ASEAN Mekong Subregion (AMS)” (Project) for the period 2016 – 2018. The Project is implemented with the collaborations between MI and its stakeholders in the four countries along the SEC, namely Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam (CMTV) at both national and subnational levels.

(i) The Research on Cross-Border Value Chain Bottlenecks in the SEC

As one of the activities under the project, MI implemented the research on “cross-border value chains bottlenecks” in the SEC in CMTV. The research aimed at mapping of the sectoral and geographical trade flows of the 19 SME cluster products in the SEC and identifying bottlenecks of the trades of the products and exploring policy changes to promote cross border trade in the SEC of the ASEAM Mekong Subregion (AMS). In particular, the research (i) assessed the regional market demand, opportunities and constraints in the CMTV for the 19 products selected for the project; (ii) assessed the crossborder value chain bottlenecks; (iii) assessed the regulatory environment for the trade of the specific products; (iv) identified grounds for policy changes for increasing cross-border trade.MI trade and Investment Facilitation (TIF) Department, together with the external consultant, implemented the research though (i) review of secondary data, including project related documents, legal and technical documents related to private development in theDissemination Workshop on “The Research on Cross-Border Value Chains Bottlenecks in the SEC” AND “The Project Mid - Term Review (MTR)”

SEC in CMTV and other relevant documents; (ii) meetings with the project direct beneficiaries and stakeholders in the border provinces along the SEC in CMTV. The
research team also conducted field survey on March 14-23, 2017 in nine border provinces in the SEC in CMTV, namely Tanintharyi Region / Dawei, Kanchanaburi, Sa-Kaeo, Banteay Meanchey, Svay Rieng, Kampot, Koh Kong and Tay Ninh provinces. The team came up with the research report on September 2017.

(ii) The Project Mid - Term Review (MTR)

As the project has passed half way through its duration, MI conducted the project mid-term review (MTR) during July - August 2017. The MTR reviewed the project situation and progress of the project against the stated outputs and outcomes, monitored the implementation to improve the project results towards sustainability, and identified issues and recommended inputs for new project development. The MTR also addressed the issues and challenges, and provided supportive recommendations to the project based on the project activities implemented during February 2016 – June 2017. The study team conducted field visits in 19 project provinces in the SEC in CMTV on July 9 – August 4, 2017. The fieldwork collected the data for MTR through a series of focus group discussion (FGD) and key Informant Interview (KII) with project stakeholders including CCIs, BAs, provincial trade and industry-related departments and SME product clusters from 19 SEC Provinces in CMTV. The MTR report was completed and submitted to JAIF Management Team (JMT) in ASEAN Secretariat in October 2017.

(iii) Dissemination Workshop

As an integral part of the project, MI organizes a Dissemination Workshop to share results of the (i) research on cross-border value chain bottlenecks in the SEC; and (ii) project midterm (MTR) of the Project on “Enhancing Competitiveness of SMEs in the Southern Economic Corridor (SEC) of ASEAN Mekong Subregion (AMS)” with the members of Project Steering Committee (PSC). The dissemination workshop is scheduled on November 13,  2017 at Pullman Grand Sukumwit, Bangkok, Thailand.

2. Objectives and Expected Outputs

The objectives and expected outputs of the Dissemination Workshop are to:

(i) The Research on Cross-Border Value Chain Bottlenecks in the SEC

• Share and validate the research results with the members of Project Steering Committee (PSC) emphasizing on:
• Opportunities and constraints in the CMTV for the products selected for the project;
• Cross-border value chain constraints including relevant regulatory constraints and the process flows of the regulatory requirements;
• Specific recommendations for the enhancement of cross-border trade for the products selected for the project. These recommendations are expected to be input for necessary policy changes to ease cross-border trade.

(ii) The Project Mid - Term Review (MTR)

• Share the project implementation status as of June 2017;
• Share the findings and recommendations from the project mid-term evaluation;
• Share lessons learned and experiences gained and inputs for the further implementation of the Project including the Phase 2. 3. Expected Outcomes

(i) The Research on Cross-Border Value Chain Bottlenecks in the SEC

• The research results discussed and agreed by the PSC;
• The PSC members acknowledge the identified opportunities and constraints in the CMTV for the products selected for the project;
• The PSC members gains understanding of the cross-border value chain constraints including relevant regulatory issues and the process flows of the regulatory requirements;
• The PSC members agree with the specific recommendations for the enhancement of cross-border trade for the products selected for the project.

(ii) The Project Mid - Term Review (MTR)

• Project implementation status (achievements, challenges and lessons learned) as of June 2017 are reviewed, discussed and examined by the PSC;
• Findings and recommendations of the project mid-term evaluation are discussed and agreed by the PSC;
• Suggestions and recommendations for the further implementation of the Project, including the Phase 2, are provided by the PSC.

4. Target Participants
The members of Project Steering Committee (PSC) from regional organization, Japan and Cambodia, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam (CMTV) will participate in the Dissemination Workshop.

Table 1 : Project Steering Committee (PSC) Members

Regional
1 Mr. Hideaki IWASAKI Country Director Asian Development Bank (ADB)
Thailand Resident Mission, Japan
2 Mr. Hiroki Mitsumata President Japan External Trade
Organization (JETRO) Bangkok
3 Mr. Katsuya Miyoshi Representative Japan International Cooperation
Agency (JICA) Thailand

Cambodia
4 H.E. Chantha Khin Advisor Ministry of Labor and Vocational Training
5 Mr. Vichea Suon Director, Trade Training and Research Institute (TTRI) Ministry of Commerce
6 Mr. Bunna Yea Deputy Director General, General Department of SMEs and Handicraft Ministry of Industry and Handicrafts, Myanmar
7 Mr. Soe Moe kyaw Deputy Director General, Directorate of Industrial Supervision and Inspection Ministry of Industry
8 Mr. Nay San Deputy Director, Research Development & Technology Extension Department, Department of Trade Promotion Ministry of Commerce
9 Mr. Aung Kyi Soe Secretary General Federation of Chambers of Commerce & Industry (UMFCCI)

Thailand
1 0 Mr. Athiwat Pattanachaipuvanon Member, Border Trade Committee Federation of Thai Industries (FTI)
1 1 Mr. Apisit Cholsakorn Director Board of Trade Thailand

Vietnam
1 2 Ms. Le Hoang Oanh Director General, Asia - Pacific Market Department Ministry of Industry and Trade
1 3 Dr. Pham Thi Thu Hằng Secretary General Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI)

5. Venue

The Dissemination Workshop is organized at Pullman Grand Skhumvit, Bangkok, Thailand.

6. Organizing Team

Mr. Madhurjya Kumar Dutta, Director, Trade and Investment Facilitation (TIF) Department, Mekong Institute (MI)
Mr. Sa-nga Sattanun, Program Manager, Trade and Investment (TIF) Department, Mekong Institute (MI)
Mr. Toru Hisada, Senior Project Coordinator, Trade and Investment Facilitation (TIF) Department, Mekong Institute (MI)
Mr. Kyaw Min Tun, Program Officer, Trade and Investment Facilitation (TIF) Department, Mekong Institute (MI) 7. Contact

For details, please contact MI TIF Team below.
Mr. Toru Hisada, Senior Project Coordinator, Trade and Investment Facilitation (TIF), Department, Mekong Institute (MI)
Tel: (+66) 43 202268 (Ext: 2104), Fax: (+66) 43 203 656
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.mekonginstitute.org

Mr. Kyaw Min Tun
Program Officer, Trade and Investment Facilitation (TIF), Department, Mekong Institute (MI)
Tel: (+66) 43 202268 (Ext: 2108), Fax: (+66) 43 203 656
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.mekonginstitute.org