Enhancing Provincial and Local CCIs and BAs Capacities in Trade and Investment Facilitation along East-West Economic CorridorMadhurjya Kumar Dutta Programme ManagerTrade Facilitation DepartmentMekong InstituteKhon KaenThailandwww.mekonginstitute.org

Summary findings of capacity need assessment studyMI Project (goal, objective and outputs, implementation arrangements)

Outline

Need assessment study (Initial study) : July 20102nd round of assessment : October 2010.

Objectives :consultation and capacity needs assessment with concerned stakeholdersTo use findings to reconfirm project objective and identify relevant strategies for implementation

Study provinces included :

Study provincesKalasin

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

Capacity Gaps identified :Lack of updated knowledge International and Regional Trade laws e.g. CBTA, ASEAN, AFTA; custom proceduresLack of proper understanding of benefits of EWECCross border trade potentials, products value chain and investment opportunities Weak business networking among CCI and BAs Business informationLimited facilities and resourcesIncomeLimited staffs and high turnoverLanguage constraints

Identified capacity building needs

Updated knowledge and Informationon CBTA, International & Regional trade law, rules and regulationslanguage skills including trade and business terminology in EnglishExpand knowledge along the EWECLearning visits Bridge networking among cities and countriesBusiness profiles for investment opportunitiesBusiness Information through trade directory and databaseTrade and investment promotion Skills for conducting trade eventsInvestment forumsFinancial Support for Trade and Investment activitiesSeed funds

Capacity interventionTarget groupsTrade and investment promotion skillsValue Chain mappingExecutive members and members of CCIs, FTIs, Logistics associations, SME associationsBusiness profiles of BAs and CCI members and database development/ web portal Provincial Trade and Investment ProfileStaffs of CCIs, FTIs, SME associations, GMS BFStrategic Business PlanningTrade and Investment forum and policy dialogueLearning visitsProvincial leaders, Provincial trade staff of Department of Industry and Commerce, Department of Investment and PlanningCCI and BAs

Forum on CBTA, trade rules and regulationsTrade terminologies and business language skillsProvincial leaders, Border and Custom officers, CCIs, BAs and Logistics providersCapacity to provide in country training and technical assistance on trade events and value chain developmentLocal trainers from universities, other relevant training centers

Agricultural FarmingSavannakhetVegetable Production/Distribution hub for vegetableTakFood ProcessingShrimp productionOrganic farmingFruits farmingAgro-businessAgro-IndustryKalasinPhitsanulokKhon KaenProspects along EWECLogistics hubLogistics facilitiesPhitsanulokKhon KaenMukdahan

Port FacilitiesDanangRecycling HubPhitsanulokTourismDanangHueSavannakhetTakProspects along EWECFrozen FoodQuang Tri

EWEC Problem Analysis

EWEC Objective Analysis

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

Outputs :Improved cooperation and closer business relationship between decision makers and senior officials of CCIs, BAs and concerned provincial authorities in promoting trade and investmentKey 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.

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

*MI conducted capacity needs assessment in two phases and will be finalized after this inception workshop during Nov -December9 provinces in EWEC, could not visit Myanmar however consultations were done with Union of Myanmar Chamber of Commerce and IndustriesMany specific needs based on location, type of organization but the these are common needs identified in all the Capacity needs identified by target groups . Based on different needs among different target groups- the summary of capacityintervention identified for the target groups is as follows:Problem analysis is

Objective analysis is done to show what ADB, UNESCAP and MI can do to complement the programme