Our Story
History & Mission

                  Growthprospects in developing Asia have been gradually slowing since 2018 due to rising global trade tensions,economic uncertainty and the COVID-19 pandemic, which has disrupted people’s way of life. Like other parts of the Mekong-Lancang Cooperation (MLC), the economic disruption has distorted many opportunities for emerging markets in the Mekong region, particularly at the national level. Micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) play an increasingly important role in recovering from the economic contraction and fostering sustainable economic growth in the MMC.

                  In developing countries, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) are involved in most economic activities and are considered as a major force in job creation, economic growth, poverty alleviation and promoting inclusive and sustainable development. In short, this creates a positive impetus for a higher quality of life with greater equality. MSMEs are the backbone and key “growth engines” in ASEAN, accounting for approximately 96% of all enterprises, especially in Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar and Vietnam (CLMV countries). Moreover, MSMEs are considered as a significant contributor to employment and GDP in the five countries: Thailand, China, Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar and Vietnam.

                  Despite their importance, MSMEs in six countries - Thailand, China, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam - face a number of challenges, including a lack of sufficient capital to expand their businesses. Traditional finance from banks has become the most common method of sourcing funds. However, MSMEs often find that their businesses do not qualify for small loans from microfinance institutions, and are not large enough to qualify for commercial banks.
                  MSMEs are thus the backbone of developing ASEAN economies, driving domestic demand, creating jobs, fostering innovation and enabling national and regional competitiveness. Access to finance and market expansion remain key to MSME growth. Asia's economic transformation and recovery from the pandemic present an accelerating opportunity for MSMEs to learn how to digitally transform and embrace digital financial services.

                  Policy design for MSMEs is therefore more challenging due to the complexity of MSME businesses and the rapidly changing external environment, which is an important part of economic development and growth of ASEAN member countries, and is a key factor in job creation for the workforce in ASEAN countries.

                  Therefore,MSMEs are the backbone of ASEAN and are fundamental to achieving long-term and sustainable economic growth and narrowing the development gap, especially in the Mekong-Lao Cooperation countries, which rely on external factors such as tourism and services, trade and related value chains. The MSME sector plays a crucial role in responding to economic shocks, in driving a sustainable and resilient recovery in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This project will promote the resilience and recovery of MSMEs in 6 countries: Thailand, China, Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar and Vietnam. Technical Assistance (TA) from both Thailand and China, which have experience in supporting SME owners, will be well-connected in the network of business associations, financial institutions, labor, organizations and government institutions to build strength, create synergies.

                  Project Objectives: Consisting of:

                  1. To study the problems and obstacles of MSMEs before and after the COVID-19 outbreak in terms of production, marketing, finance, employment, and regulations, as well as to create public-private partnerships to strengthen MSMEs in 5 countries in the MLC region: Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar, and Vietnam.
                  2. To study the feasibility of strengthening and upgrading MSMEs by forming partnerships with the public and private sectors using the e-commerce concept based on the Chinese model, including the creation of economic platforms and effective methods to promote the strengths and upgrading MSMEs for each country in the MLC region.
                  3. To propose policies to drive the strengthening of MSMEs that integrate the public and private sectors, including linking economic platforms to promote the strength and upgrading MSMEs in countries in the MLC region for sustainable development.