With the times of COVID-19, digital technologies and connectivity has not only become a critical enabler facilitating continuity of regular lives and connecting people more than ever before, but it is also an important foundation in achieving each of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). 

In this the digital era, digital technological transformation holds enormous potential to support growth, promote innovation and facilitate connectivity. On people-to-people connectivity, digital connectivity in Lancang-Mekong Countries is facilitated by improvements in the digital infrastructure, especially a rapid rise in mobile broadband coverage. Regional cooperation can make digital technology more affordable by enabling quality infrastructure and cross-border connectivity. The Lancang-Mekong Cooperation (LMC) mechanism has been proactively implemented in the region since 2016 with connectivity as one of the priority areas of the LMC framework. LMC as one of mechanisms has played an important role in enhancing the overarching efforts towards development in the region through connectivity tools and digital transformation brings new tools as „digital connectivity‟ to provide opportunities for the region to cope with the current crisis and to overcome longer-term development challenges. 

Faced with COVID-19 pointing out digital divide in the region as an urgent concern, day-to-day technology with digital connectivity and e-commerce platforms are emerging as important drivers to connect Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Lancang-Mekong Countries to domestic and global markets. At present, MSMEs in Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar and Vietnam face several challenges that delay their adoption of technology and digital tools, including limited knowledge about available technologies and their applications. One of change in MSMEs sectors caused by pandemic crisis is rapid shift towards electronic services and digital payment system across all businesses and many of them are related to enhancing cross-country trade and collaboration. There is urging to upgrade MSMEs stakeholders in better utilize and transformational potential of digital connectivity for the SDGs will be best achieved when governments, the private sector, civil society and other stakeholders work towards a common goal to narrow the digital gaps and create a more inclusive development as a part of pandemic recovery support. 

To accompany in use of digital services and innovation technologies in MSMEs, MI aim to empower people and business to seize a human centered, sustainable and prosperous digital future in global context by increasing investments in human development, dialogues, and 

learning platforms which can involve more public-private actors in building more resilient and making more sustainable regional economic development and integration. In this context, MI with support of the People’s Government of the People’s Republic of China implementing the project on “Fostering Digital Connectivity in the Lancang-Mekong Countries” to identify challenges and opportunities and share the experiences on digital connectivity in MSMEs sector, and enhance the key stakeholders’ capacity by introducing digital platforms, with focus on successful experiences in applied digital technologies for sharing among Lancang-Mekong countries in the links of digital connectivity which contribute to SDGs and LMC. 

Along the initiative's three component (preliminary research, online workshops, and expert dialogue), a series of online workshops will be organized with a focus on experience sharing and specific topics to raise awareness of the existence of these digital solutions and demonstrate how governments can effectively support MSMEs in leveraging digital services. This is the project's inaugural workshop, aimed at equipping, deepening, and stocktaking issues related to digital connectivity among MSMEs from various key stakeholders in order to ensure that digitalization benefits everyone and advances the SDGs despite pandemic in the Lancang-Mekong countries. 

2-Objectives 

With the future being shaped by the COVID-19 pandemic and humanity’s responses to it, critical insights are more important than ever. These 3 days-workshop aim to sharing current situation on digitalization and adoption of emerging innovative technology in MSMEs with inviting experts to raise awareness of digital connectivity matters and discuss concrete topics to deepen experience sharing and best practices-what works & what does not in field of digital connectivity and platforms. It shall also feature experts who will give a snapshot of how the global digital connectivity has been addressing COVID-19 challenges thus far. 

During this workshop we will: 

• Highlights on the current condition, issues, and challenges associated with the digital connectivity in Lancang-Mekong countries' MSMEs 
• Exchange of views on the barriers to adoption and enhancement of digital connectivity by MSMEs in Lancang-Mekong countries 
• Identify potential future actions to be launched to facilitate regional cooperation 

 

3- Target Participants 

To facilitate in fostering digital connectivity and regional digital cooperation in the Lancang-Mekong Countries, the workshop will bring together about 36 government officials, development practitioners, representatives of MSMEs, digital service providers, financial services providers, development organizations, non-governmental organizations, and experts in the areas of digital economy and MSMEs development from Cambodia, China, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam. 

 

• Government officials who are involving in promoting innovation technologies in MSMEs development 
•  Experts and representative from unions/ association or non-government working on the areas of digital and MSMEs development 
•  Ability to communicate in English Language 
•  Ability to commit full attendance and workshop requirements 
•  Commit to cooperation with MI for workshop monitoring and evaluation process 

 

This workshop will be conduct via zoom online platform. 

The tentative agenda for this workshop is attached