The Business Forum would be an important platform for sharing innovations and good practices in the Lancang-Mekong region on new approaches to sustainable and inclusive innovation in the processed food industry. It will provide a unique opportunity for the food industry value chain actors to seek potential partners and discuss concrete investment plans. It would allow a transition to sustainable processed-food in Lancang-Mekong region to be established as the ultimate objective. The event will focus on:

• Establishing business linkages among the business enterprises from Lancang - Mekong countries;
• Assisting Investors integrate into the Regional and Global Value Chains (R-GVCs) further;
• Exchanging information among business enterprises from the Lancang - Mekong countries on state of art technology and innovative products to push forward the food sector growth;
• Promoting investment through business collaboration in the Lancang - Mekong countries.

Part 1: Panel Discussion

A Panel Discussion will discuss the key issues for innovation in the processed food industry with two outstanding points (product and marketing) under the Lancang – Mekong region context. It will be organized on the first day of the event and is structured as below;

Part 2: Business matching

The business matching would be attended by selected food processing companies including investors with an aim to provide an opportunity to have direct exposure to the processed food sector through a platform for conducting concrete business negotiations.

The business matching participants from P.R. China, Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Vietnam and Thailand will be comprised of food value chain actors comprising of Food Exporters & Importers, Processors, Producer Groups, R& D centres, Machinery manufacturers/Suppliers, Input suppliers, Packagers,

The Business Matching will comprise of the following sub-activities:

• Dynamic web platform: A dynamic web portal (www.lancangmekongforum) has been created with relevant information including the introduction to the Business Forum, fact sheet exhibitor list, participants’ registration, news and media, venue, floor plan and etc. This platform will provide the facility to register for event (s).
• Pre business matching (online): Pre business matching will be conducted through a dynamic web portal. The prospective companies from the Lancang-Mekong countries will be required to register on this platform and provide their company profile including products/services and indicate their specific business interests. The information would be used to identify specific business interests to facilitate onsite business-to-business meeting sessions.
• Onsite business matching: One-to-one business matching between Lancang-Mekong businesses will be arranged. MI and its cooperation partners will co-facilitate the business matching. MI staff and its cooperation partners will provide onsite consultations to B2B parties arrange meetings based on the pre matching results obtained from web portal, record progress of the business matching and obtain feedback.
• Post-forum follow up (duration: three months): As a follow-up of the onsite event, MI will utilize the web-based platform to monitor the progress of the business matching. At the same time, MI will follow up through emails and phone calls, and provide necessary online consultations required, to facilitate investment projects among Lancang-Mekong businesses.

Part 3: Exhibition

The Lancang – Mekong Business Forum 2019 will feature an exhibition a focusing on Processed Food Innovative products, where companies will have the opportunity to present their products and services. This Area will be dedicated to food products, technologies related to, packaging and labeling etc, to exhibit their products and services.

Part 4: Structured Learning Visit (SLV)

SLV(s) will be organized with an aim to provide participants with an opportunity to understand state-of-the-art production systems, including packaging, processing, standards and certification process, quality control technologies, research and development (R&D), skill development, and input suppliers in the processed-food business sector in Vietnam. Visit to leading food processing units, R& D centers, etc. will be arranged in and around Ho Chi Minh City.

Target Participants

The target participants for the Forum include:

• A. 30 Participants from China, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Thailand will be selected(6 participants from each country, 30 participants in total): Comprising of agro-food processing associations/institutions representatives.
• B. 70 Participants from Vietnam, comprising of
  • Representatives of the Food processing sector (50 participants): agro processing companies, producers’ groups, exporters, equipment and technology suppliers, and transport/logistics firms, etc.
  • Representatives of government agencies and intergovernmental organizations (10 participants): Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Ministry of Public Health, Ministry of Agriculture, heads of key agri-business sectors association/institutions representatives.
  • Representatives of food processing support organizations (10 participants): Producers associations, agriculture research/development/extension firms, policy/advocacy organizations, ADB, the World Bank, the IFC, international business chambers based in Thailand, and embassies and foreign missions of China, Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar and Thailand in Vietnam.

**The participants from private sector must be senior staff (e.g., sales manager). He/she who must be able to speak English and have business negotiation/discussion skill with the potential business partners on behalf of their company.

Expected Outcomes

At the end of the Business Forum, the participants would be able to identify potential business partners for a wide range of business possibilities including market access, technology, R&D, information, joint ventures, finance, etc. in the food processing sector. The event participants will also be able to update on the latest technology and product innovation to improve productivity, competitiveness and business networking.