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Lancang-Mekong Fund provides THB 6.5 million to NSTDA for standards for high-speed rail products
| Funder | Unspecified Chinese Government Institution |
|---|---|
| Recipient Organization | Lancang-Mekong Cooperation (LMC) Special Fund |
| Country | Thailand |
| Start Date | Jan 01, 2023 |
| End Date | Feb 25, 2032 |
| Duration | 3,342 days |
| Number of Grantees | 1 |
| Roles | Recipient |
| Data Source | AidData Chinese Aid |
| Grant ID | 108773 |
Grant Description
In 2023, the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHESI) received USD 2.8 million from the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation Special Fund for 13 projects.
MHESI directed the National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA) to carry out three of these projects: the technology transfer and value addition of edible mushrooms, sustainable cassava production, and standards for high-speed rail products.
The project on standards for high-speed rail products is carried out by Rail and Modern Transports Research Group at the National Metal and Materials Technology Center (MTEC) of NSTDA. The project was provided THB 6,596,497 for two years (2024-2026).
The project aims to address identified skills gap in the Lancang-Mekong region’s education, research, development, and industrial sectors when it comes to developing high-standard products for high-speed railway infrastructure. The project will also involve developing local industry standards for high-speed railway projects.
An unveiling ceremony was held by NSTDA on April 3, 2024.
Staff Comments
- Other project titles include ‘the Technological Capability Enhancement of Local Industries and Product Standardization Initiative by High-speed Railway Project Requirements'.
- Some sources state that the 2023 MoU was not approved until January 2, 2024. This issue warrants further investigation.
- The Lancang-Mekong Cooperation (LMC) mechanism was originally established at the 17th China-ASEAN Summit on November 13, 2014. Then, on March 23, 2016, the Chinese Government announced the establishment of the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation Special Fund which would provide USD 300 million in concessional loans over 5-years (2016-2021) for small- and medium-sized cooperation projects in Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam. Since 2021, each country has signed individual MoU's with the Chinese government to continue financing for projects under the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation Special Fund. It is unclear if the new MoU's are financed through concessional loans as well. Most projects funded through the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation Special Fund (LMCSF) do not contain repayment terms or appear on government agency or company financial statements as borrowings, thus AidData has decided to code post-2021 LMCSF projects as grants.
Sources & References
NSTDA Unveils Three Mekong-Lancang Cooperation Research Projects to Boost Mushroom and Cassava Production and Develop Rail System Standards for the Mekong Region, ร่างบันทึกความเข้าใจว่าด้วยความร่วมมือในโครงการภายใต้กองทุนพิเศษแม่โขง ล้านช้าง ประจำปี พ.ศ. ๒๕๖๖ Loan applications and disbursements are still being received and processed as the projects continue to evolve. Ongoing monitoring and evaluation are in place to ensure project continuity.
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Lancang-Mekong Cooperation (LMC) Special Fund
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