Faculty of Economics, CMU Participates in “Connecting Beyond Borders” Initiative

A research team from the Faculty of Economics, Chiang Mai University, under the MLC-MSME Recovery Network Post Covid-19 Project, led by Associate Professor Dr. Nisit Phanthamit, Project Director, conducted a mission in Ho Chi Minh City, Socialist Republic of Vietnam, from 20–22 May 2026 to participate in the “Connecting Beyond Borders” event. The program was jointly organized by the MLC-MSME Recovery Network Post Covid-19 Projectand the Mekong Business Club in Ho Chi Minh City (MBC) on 21 May 2026, bringing together more than 60 business leaders, experts, and representatives from organizations across three countries—Vietnam, Thailand, and Cambodia.

During the event, Associate Professor Dr. Nisit Phanthamit presented the project's preliminary research findings and introduced plans to integrate Artificial Intelligence (AI) into the msmebizlink.com platform to facilitate business matching among entrepreneurs across the region. In addition, Associate Professor Dr. Pornchai Visutthisak delivered a presentation on trade-related legal issues affecting MSMEs in the CLMV+C+T countries. The program also featured a panel discussion on “Cross-Border Business in the Greater Mekong Subregion for Sustainable Value Creation,”covering key topics such as digital transformation, green logistics, cross-border cold chain development, and human resource development cooperation.

A key highlight of the event was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Associate Professor Dr. Nisit Phanthamit, representing the research project, and Ms. Nguyen Thi Bich Hanh, Vice Chairwoman of the Mekong Business Club in Ho Chi Minh City (MBC). The agreement was signed under the “Connecting Beyond Borders” framework to promote business matching, facilitate cross-border trade, and strengthen regional business networking and collaboration.

The mission generated several significant outcomes:

1. Establishing tangible regional business partnerships through direct business matching and networking activities;
2. Collecting both qualitative and quantitative data to enhance the comprehensiveness of the project's Year 3 research report;
3. Expanding awareness and increasing the user base of the msmebizlink.com platform in the Vietnamese market; and
4. Laying the foundation for future collaboration in preparation for the project's final conference, scheduled to be held in Chiang Mai Province, Thailand, in October 2026.