The first 1st International Workshop under the project “Enhancing competence of Japan- Mekong Regional Logistics Training Center in Viet Nam (JMLTC)- stage 2”.

With great supports from Japanese government and concerned parties, Vietnam Maritime University had been successful implementing the 1st stage of the project on establishment of Japan – Mekong Regional logistics training center in Vietnam. Currently, the project had been started at the 2nd stage with more outdoor training facilities with regards to complete and setup a full system of logistics training center. As being one of project’s activities, Vietnam Maritime University was much honor to host the 1st international workshop in a seminar series for enhancing competence of the center. The workshop last 2 days with technical sessions and discussions promised the valued sharing ideas from experts of Japan and South East Asian countries.

Participating to this workshop were Mr. Tomoyuki Fukuhara, Deputy Director of International Logistics Division, Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT Japan), Mr Nguyen Van Thach, Director General of Transport Safety Dept., Ministry of Transport of Vietnam; Ass.Prof.Dr Dong Van Huong, Acting President, Ho Chi Minh City University of Transport; Mr. Som-sak Wi-set-ru-an-grot, Chartered President, Thai International Freight Forwarders Association (TIFFA); and more than 30 professors and experts from universities, institutions, ministries, associations, enterprises of Japan, Thailand, Malaysia, Laos, Cambodia, Indonesia and Vietnam as well;

From Vietnam Maritime University were Assoc. Pro. Dr. Pham Xuan Duong, President and lectures and staffs of maritime economy faculty and concerned departments

Logistics plays an important role in supporting economic activities across the ASEAN region. The shortage of skilled logistics professionals in the region, including in CLMV countries (i.e. Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar and Viet Nam), hinders the delivery of efficient logistics services. This is partly due to insufficient training and education in this field. In efforts to address these issues, ASEAN and Japan have been striving to enhance capacities of logistics professionals through capacity building initiatives. The first stage of the initiative was through the project Establishment of Sub-regional Logistics Training Center in Vietnam, supported through the Japan-ASEAN Integration Fund (JAIF). Implemented from 2012 to 2014, the project contributed the following: construction of warehouse, office, and classrooms; purchase of training equipment, text books, simulation software, and office machineries; technology transfer from Japanese experts; and conduct of 10 pilot training courses benefitting 234 trainees from CLMV. 

The project Enhancing Competence of Japan-Mekong Regional Logistics Training Center in Viet Nam (JMLTC) - Stage 2 aims to contribute to developing skills and capacity on logistics and supply chain management for logistics service providers. It will scale up the contributions of the first stage of the initiative through the following: 

  • Feasibility training through the pilot training courses conducted by Japanese experts for CLMV trainees;
  • Training of Trainers (TOT) to promote more standardized training courses in the region;
  • Updating and translating textbooks and training contents with support from Japanese advisers;
  • Construction of outdoor training areas; and
  • Improvement of facilities, auxiliary training equipment, and software for training activities.

The project – stage 1 named “Establishment of Sub-regional Logistics Training Center in Vietnam”, which funded by Japan- ASEAN Integration Fund (JAIF) with its total amount of $2.3 million, is completed since 2014. The project launched Japan – Mekong Regional Logistics Training Center in Viet Nam, the first logistics training center in region technical transferred by Japan with modern training facility. Since starting operation, the Center makes efforts to carry out the logistics training courses and promote its training activities in the region.

In order to widely spread the skillful and professional logistics training activities to CLMV in the beginning and over ASEAN in the next stage, Japan-ASEAN Intergration Fund (JAIF) continuously supports and funds the project-stage2 named “Enhancing competence of Japan- Mekong Regional Logistics Training Center in Vietnam” with the total amount of approximately $1million. The overall objective is to contribute in enhancing the quality of logistics manpower in the region.

Logistics, the multinational industry, is regarded as the infrastructure supporting economic activities lives and has an important role. Personnel with professional knowledge and a wide range of comprehension are required to establish and operate logistics. Besides, it is necessary to build up the mutual connectivity and network in CLMV countries and ASEAN what can contribute significantly to the socio-economic development of ASEAN members.

International workshops on logistics such as this provide a valuable opportunity for industry experts, decision-makers, leaders and directors from authorities, institutions, associations and enterprises in logistics industry of the region to share experiences.