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MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING

BETWEEN MINISTRY OF COMMERCE

AND MEKONG INSTITUTE

Purpose of Co-operation

Ministry of Commerce (MOC) and Mekong Institute (Ml) will join their respective experiences for the development of the countries of the Greater Mekong Sub-region (GMS), based on mutual interests of both institutions.

Ministry of Commerce (MOC) is a governmental organization. The main m1ss1on is acting on trades, service businesses, intellectual properties and other government services in accordance with the law to be the authority of the Ministry of Commerce or government agencies under the Ministry of Commerce. Another mission is to participate in bilateral, sub-regional, regional and multilateral trade negotiations including under other relevant international trade and economic cooperation/organizations. MOC also provides the training and trade missions to our neighboring countries especially CLMV. Under the strategy of CLMVT as home market, MOC realizes the importance of regional economic integration and cooperation between and the CLMV countries which will serve as strong foundation for sustainable economic development in each country.

Mekong Institute (Ml) is an Intergovernmental organization chartered to provide capacity building activities for government officials, members of private enterprises and civil society involved in the government of the Greater Mekong Sub-region (GMS). Ml works closely with the governments of the six GMS countries (, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand, , and Yunnan Province and Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region of P.R. ) in designing and delivering high quality and relevant human resource development programs and applied researches identified by the stakeholders. The mandate of the Mekong Institute includes serving GMS­ focused Human Resource Development (HRD) needs, promoting regional cooperation, networking, and partnerships. Areas of Cooperation

This Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is developed between MOC and Ml to facilitate and engage in collaborative efforts to advance capacities of private sector, government, local communities, and civil society organizations in the Greater Mekong Sub-region countries (Cambodia, , Myanmar, Vietnam, Thailand, Myanmar and PR China).

The collaborative programs or activities to be undertaken pursuant to this MOU may include, but not limit to, the following:

1. Conducting joint training, workshops, conferences, and meetings; 2. Undertaking collaborative research projects; 3. Exchanging of personnel as resource persons and visiting research fellows; 4. Developing and sharing Information Network; 5. Implementing projects funded by Mekong - Lancang Special Fund under Mekong - Lancang Cooperation Framework

The Parties will develop specific agreements, through discussion and consultations as needed, according to the collaborative themes and forms intended in this MOU.

Duration of Cooperation

This MOU may be signed in counterparts, each of which will be deemed an original and both of which duly executed will constitute one entire document, and will enter into force on the date it is signed by both Parties (the "Effective Date"). The MOU will have an initial term of five (5) years from the Effective Date, unless terminated earlier by either Party with a given two (2) months prior written notice to the other Party. Ml and MOC may agree to extend this MOU upon agreement in writing for subsequent terms. No termination of the MOU will affect any legal or contractual obligations already created or entered by either Party in connection with activities arising pursuant to this MOU.

Changes and Amendments to the Memorandum of Mutual Understanding

In the event one party or both parties would like to change the cooperation under the MOU , reasonable advance notice must be given. Once both parties have consulted and agreed to the changes or amendments, a written record of the changes or amendments will be signed by both parties taking effect from the date of signing.

This MOU is not intended to create any legal relationship or legal obligations between MOC and Ml or to impose formal obligations on them . Endorsement of the Cooperation

With the signature of their authorized representatives, MOC and Ml express their 1 intention to implement this cooperation on 18 h April 2018 at Bangkok, Thailand.

(Nuntawan Sakuntanaga) (Watcharas Leelawath) Permanent Secretary Executive Director Ministry of Commerce Mekong Institute

Witness: Witness:

(Auramon Supthaweethum) (Madhurjya Kumar Dutta) Director General Director of Trade and Investment Department of Trade Negotiations Facilitation Department Ministry of Commerce Mekong Institute