Madhurjya Kumar Dutta Programme Manager Trade Facilitation Department Mekong Institute Khon Kaen

1. TFHM Department Enhancing Provincial and Local CCIs and BAs Capacitiesin Trade and Investment Facilitation along East-West Economic Corridor Madhurjya Kumar DuttaProgramme Manager Trade Facilitation Department Mekong Institute Khon Kaen Thailand www.mekonginstitute.org

2. TFHM Department Outline • Summary findings of capacity need assessment study • MI Project (goal, objective and outputs, implementation arrangements)

3. TFHM Department Need assessment study (Initial study) : July 2010 2nd round of assessment : October 2010. Objectives : • consultation and capacity needs assessment with concerned stakeholders • To use findings to reconfirm project objective and identify relevant strategies for implementation Study provinces included :

4. Study provinces Kalasin

5. TFHM Department Target group : • The study identified other agencies such as the federation of industries and other business Association besides CCIs • Included executive members, members of CCIs, FTIs, SMEs associations, decision makers of provinces, officials of government agencies, etc. besides the staffs of these agencies • A total of 19 organizations in 9 provinces along EWEC were covered in the study

6. TFHM Department Capacity Gaps identified : • Lack of updated knowledge • International and Regional Trade laws e.g. CBTA, ASEAN, AFTA; custom procedures • Lack of proper understanding of benefits of EWEC • Cross border trade potentials, products value chain and investment opportunities • Weak business networking among CCI and BAs • Business information • Limited facilities and resources • Income • Limited staffs and high turnover • Language constraints

7. TFHM Department Identified capacity building needs • Updated knowledge and Information • on CBTA, International & Regional trade law, rules and regulations • language skills including trade and business terminology in English • Expand knowledge along the EWEC • Learning visits • Bridge networking among cities and countries • Business profiles for investment opportunities • Business Information through trade directory and database • Trade and investment promotion • Skills for conducting trade events • Investment forums • Financial Support for Trade and Investment activities • Seed funds

8. TFHM Department

9. TFHM Department Agricultural Farming Savannakhet Vegetable Production/ Distribution hub for vegetable Tak Food Processing Shrimp production Organic farming Fruits farming Agro-business Agro-Industry Kalasin Phitsanulok Khon Kaen Logistics hub Logistics facilities Phitsanulok Khon Kaen Mukdahan Prospects along EWEC

10. TFHM Department Port Facilities Danang Recycling Hub Phitsanulok Tourism Danang Hue Savannakhet Tak Frozen Food Quang Tri Prospects along EWEC

11. EWEC Problem Analysis Slow Economic Development in EWEC Under utilization of Cross-border Trade Facilities and EWEC infrastructure Trade and Investment along EWEC is low Road Facilities are not up to standard CBTA is not fully implemented Lack of interest in and knowledge of existing trade and investment opportunities Logistics Providers and Traders are not familiar with CBTA regulations Lack of Opportunities to have B2B, Networking and Exposure visits Lack of updated information and database on trade and investment Lack of updated knowledge on national T&I policies

12. EWEC Objective Analysis Increased Economic Development in EWEC Increased utilization of Cross-border Trade Facilities and EWEC infrastructure Increased Trade and Investment along EWEC is low Road Facilities are up to international standard CBTA is fully implemented Increased interest in and knowledge of existing trade and investment and development potentials Logistics Providers and Traders are familiar with CBTA regulations Border Officials demonstrated willingness and skills in implementing CBTA facilities Increased Opportunities to have B2B, Networking and Exposure visits Updated information and database on trade and investment Increased knowledge on national T&I policies

13. TFHM Department Goal: • Increased Trade and investment on East-West Economic Corridor Outcome: • Improved Capacity of CCI and BAs in targeted provinces in promoting intra, inter and cross-border trade and investment

14. TFHM Department Outputs : • Improved cooperation and closer business relationship between decision makers and senior officials of CCIs, BAs and concerned provincial authorities in promoting trade and investment • Key personnel of CCIs are able to apply newly acquired knowledge, skills and practical experiences in local economic profile development and business research, trade and investment promotions, CBTA and others that are related to EWEC. • Provincial Business Profile and Trade and Investment Database are developed, maintained and utilized by targeted CCIs and BAs members and foreign investors.

15. TFHM Department Implementation Arrangements • Project Steering Committee (PSC): (NCCI, ADB, UNESCAP,IDE JETRO,JCCI in Thailand, MI) • Capacity Building Needs Assessment • Project Inception Workshop • Setting up MI Project Team and M&E Mechanism