Other Focus Areas
1. Improving Agriculture Productivity Component of ADBI ASEAN Project; Toward ASEAN Equitable and Inclusive Growth
MI will co-design and co-implement a component of an ADB Institute (ADBI) regional capacity building project. The project focusing on four areas; 1) improving agricultural productivity, 2) macro-economics and finance 3), improving service industries, 4) industrial development. With support from ADBI consultants, MI will co-design and co-implement the component on improving agricultural productivity.
Activities for this component in 2013 include; stocktaking studies of agricultural development policies and programs in CLMV, seed development policies, agricultural value chains, agriculture policies and reform, and the implications of the ASEAN Economic Community on the agricultural sectors of Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, and Vietnam.
2. SME Biz Networks to Promote Thailand as ASEAN Regional Gateway for SMEs, with Institute of International Trade and Development
In 2012 MI, in collaboration with the Institute of International Trade and Development (ITD), implemented a series of Biz Network forums and structured learning visits (SLVs) for 110 government officials, business development service providers and SMEs interested in engaging more actively in cross-border business. The programs success has lead to MI and the ITD to seek additional funds from the Thai Government to repeat the activities again in 2013.
The activities aim to enhance the knowledge and understanding of Thai SMEs, BDS providers and involved government officials on the implications of AEC on business development potential. The project also aims to promote SME biz networks between Thai SMEs and those in neighboring GMS countries.
3.Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM) Program with the Mekong River Commission (MRC)
Since 2009, MI has provided a series of IWRM training programs to the MRCs professional staff (junior riparian professionals and river basin planners). In 2013, MI will provide two more training courses on IWRM for MRC professionals, scheduled for January and July.
The programs aim to equip water resource development practitioners of the Mekong countries with enhanced knowledge, skills and IWRM planning and management capabilities. Critically, the workshops expose these professionals to real case studies, examples of best practices and pressing trans-boundary issues.