Enhancing Provincial and Local CCIs and BAs Capacities in Trade and Investment Facilitation along East-West Economic Corridor Madhurjya Kumar Dutta Programme Manager Trade Facilitation Department Mekong Institute Khon Kaen Thailandwww.mekonginstitute.org TFHM Department

TFHM Department 1. Summary findings of capacity need assessment study 2. MI Project (goal, objective and outputs, implementation arrangements) Outline

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

Study provinces Kalasin

Target group : The study identified other agencies such as the federation of industries and other business Association besides CCIs 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 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 A total of 19 organizations in 9 provinces along EWEC were covered in the study TFHM Department

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

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

TFHM Department Capacity intervention Target groups Trade and investment promotion skills Value Chain mapping Executive members and members of CCIs, FTIs, Logistics associations, SME associations Business profiles of BAs and CCI members and database development/ web portal Provincial Trade and Investment Profile Staffs of CCIs, FTIs, SME associations, GMS BF Strategic Business Planning Trade and Investment forum and policy dialogue Learning visits Provincial leaders, Provincial trade staff of Department of Industry and Commerce, Department of Investment and Planning CCI and BAs Forum on CBTA, trade rules and regulations Trade terminologies and business language skills Provincial leaders, Border and Custom officers, CCIs, BAs and Logistics providers Capacity to provide in country training and technical assistance on trade events and value chain development Local trainers from universities, other relevant training centers

TFHM Department AgriculturalFarming Savannakhet SavannakhetVegetableProduction/ Distribution hub for vegetable Tak Tak Food Processing Shrimp production Organic farming Fruits farming Agro-businessAgro-Industry Kalasin Kalasin Phitsanulok Phitsanulok Khon Kaen Khon Kaen Prospects along EWEC Logistics hub Logistics facilities Phitsanulok Phitsanulok Khon Kaen Khon Kaen Mukdahan Mukdahan

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

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 Lack of updated knowledge on national T&I policies Lack of updated information and database on trade and investment Lack of Opportunities to have B2B, Networking and Exposure visits Logistics Providers and Traders are not familiar with CBTA regulations EWEC Problem 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 Increased knowledge on national T&I policies Updated information and database on trade and investment Increased Opportunities to have B2B, Networking and Exposure visits Border Officials demonstrated willingness and skills in implementing CBTA facilities Logistics Providers and Traders are familiar with CBTA regulations EWEC Objective Analysis

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

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 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. 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. Provincial Business Profile and Trade and Investment Database are developed, maintained and utilized by targeted CCIs and BAs members and foreign investors.

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