Projects

1. Capacity Development for Integrating CLMV Economies into AEC

The Capacity Development for Integrating CLMV Economies into AEC project which is entering its second year of operation (in 2013) - aims to contribute to narrowing the development gap between new ASEAN member states through AEC integration. US $ 1.2 million has been pledged to fund the project by the New Zealand Foreign Affairs and Trade Aid Programme.

In 2013 the project will focus on improving agriculture productivity, cross-border contract farming management policies and good contract farming practices, increasing cross-border SME clusters, export networks, and FTA utilization by SMEs, enhancing GMS-focused research and the capacity of young GMS professionals.

2. Capacity Building for More Equitable and Inclusive Growth in the GMS

The joint six-year project between MI and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) aims to contribute to the increased local economic development and more inclusive, equitable growth of communities and provinces situated along the East West Economic Corridor (EWEC). To achieve this goal, the project will enhance the capacity of four target groups from commercial nodes situated along EWEC in Myanmar, Thailand, Laos and Vietnam; 1) farmers groups/associations; 2) SMEs clusters/biz networks; 3) government officials engaged or related to local economic development; 4) business development service providers.

In 2013, the first pilot phase of the project will be implemented in six twin cities in six provinces along the corridor (one twin city in each province on either side of the border). These sites are; Thakek and Nakhon Phanom in Khammoune (Lao PDR) and Nakhon Phanom (Thailand) provinces respectively, Lao Bao and Dan Savanh in Quangtri (Vietnam) and Savannakhet (Lao PDR) provinces respectively, and Myewaddy and Maesot in Kayin State (Myanmar) and Tak (Thailand) provinces respectively. Additionally, MI will set up field offices in Myewaddy, Nakhon Phanom, and Dong Ha to serve as focal points for field implementation of the various phases of the project.

3. FRETA Certified Logistic Masters Program

Financed by the Republic of Korea through the ROK ASEAN Integration Fund and implemented by MI in collaboration with the GMS Freight and Transport Association (FRETA), the project will provide a certified training program for local logistic providers operating along the GMS Economic Corridors.

The training program scheduled to begin in 2013 aims to improve cross-border and trans-shipment logistics services through capacity development and the accreditation of local logistics providers. If successful, he project will result in decreased cross-border logistics costs, improved quality ad more timely services of local logistics providers on the GMS economic corridors and the greater integration of local logistics providers into sub-regional, regional and global logistics chains.

4.Promoting Regional Agriculture Value Chains on the GMS Southern Economic Corridor (SEC)

Approved in principle by the Government of the Republic of Korea as one of the two MI projects to be financed by ROK ASEAN Cooperation Fund, the project aims to promote cross-border agriculture value chains in selected twin provinces along the Southern Economic Corridor (SEC).

This project will promote the development of agriculture value chains of selected agriculture commodities along the SEC with emphasis on twin border provinces in Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam. The project will first assess the current status and requirements for value chain development in selected agricultural commodities. This will then be followed by the formulation of specific strategies to improve productivity, income, and growth at various levels of the value chain. This will directly improve the productivity of smallholder farmers and SMEs in the targeted provinces offering better access to commercial agriculture value chains, and thus contributing to more inclusive and equitable economic development in the local communities along the SEC.