Networking Forum 2021

ONLINE EVENT

Lancang-Mekong Countries

Enhancing Cross-Border Facilitation for Logistics, Trade and Investment Development in the Lancang-Mekong Countries

Towards the goal of deeper integration, the Lancang-Mekong (LM) countries have been engaged in an economic cooperation program over the years to strengthen economic linkages while fostering peace, facilitating sustainable growth, and improving living standards in the process. In particular, the LM countries are working towards improving connectivity through strengthening linkages in transport, energy and telecommunication. While there have been some developments on infrastructure, economic corridors, economic zones and logistics systems, cross-border trade and investment in the LM countries have suffered a decline since last year due to the Covid-19 Pandemic. With widespread vaccine distribution planned and executed till now, countries can intensify their focus on post-COVID-19 recovery that will align with the modern era of trade connectivity as become a 24/7 business.

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The background

One of the important connectivity encompasses physical facilities, services, and ways to facilitate the movement of goods and people within and across borders in the LM region, which would have far-reaching effects is the Laos-China railway project, which is scheduled to be completed and opened in December 2021. The railway line over 400 kms will run from the Boten border gate in the Northern of Lao PDR bordering China to Vientiane with an operating speed of 160 km per hour. The electrified passenger and cargo railway are built with full application of Chinese management and technical standards. Once opened, the railway project will not only promote bilateral trade, investment and people-to people exchanges, but also benefit the countries to be connected.

The Networking Forum 2021

Against this background, Mekong Institute (MI) will organize a Networking Forum on Enhancing Cross-Border Facilitation for Logistics, Trade and Investment Development in the Lancang-Mekong Countries. The Forum will be a platform to discuss and develop strategies and encourage measures to promote trade and investment amidst the COVID-19 pandemic and provide suggestions for trade and investment growth to support post-COVID-19 recovery in the Lancang-Mekong region.

The Lancang–Mekong Cooperation Special Fund (LMCSF)

The Forum is held as part of a project “Upgrading Border Facilitation for Trade and Logistics Development”, funded by the Lancang–Mekong Cooperation Special Fund (LMCSF), and implemented by MI in collaboration with Ministry of Commerce, Thailand between 2018 and 2021. The stakeholders of the project are drawn from the six Lancang–Mekong (LM) countries, Cambodia, P.R. China, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand, and Viet Nam, from both national and sub-national levels. The project aims to promote trade along border trade zones and border special economic zones which link the LM countries, increase trade capacity and reduce the costs incurred to traders, and enhance connectivity and improve competitiveness across international borders through improvements in infrastructure to facilitate cross-border trade and investment.

Objectives:

To discuss options of new normal for businesses, closely aligned with the priorities of Lancang-Mekong Cooperation agenda;
To provide a platform for stakeholders to share insights, information and experiences for cross-border trade and investment facilitation and development;
To enhance cooperation and closer business relationships between authorities, businesses and investors of concerned industries of the cross-border area, in particular for post-COVID-19 economy recovery;
To enhance connectivity and improve competitiveness for trade and logistics development in the Lancang-Mekong countries;
To deliberate on investment opportunities and business development potentials toward the opening of the Laos-China railway and other such connectivity initiatives.

Download the Concept Note (PDF)