Scope Global - In-country Costing Services - 2019

Project Description:

MKE assisted Scope Global to provide unit costings of the items below, accompanied by evidence/ records of sources for quotes and verifications of costs provided:

Support costs:

• Monthly cost for expat long-term accommodation (monthly rental) in a suitable area

• Nightly cost for hotel accommodation in Yangon and Naypyidaw

• Estimated perdiem

• Local transport/taxi costs in Yangon

Office costs:

• Outfitting/ upgrade of office

• Monthly rental for an office in a suitable area

• Office running costs

• Vehicle hire

Personnel costs:

• Gross salary for a range of national personnel

• Indicative monthly/annual salary for different project positions

• Cost of health and medical insurance for national personnel

BlastOne - Research on Market Entry for BlastOne in Vietnam - 2019

Project Description:

BlastOne, a global leader for abrasive blasting and industrial coating equipment, consumables, and industry know-how,  is considering market entry into Vietnam and has commissioned Mekong Economics to conduct a market research on these following issues:

• Macroeconomic overview

• Infrastructure spending by industry

• Main engineering contractors and asset owners

• Overview of protective coating industry

• Overview of Blasting equipment industry

• Overview of the current investment laws in Vietnam

E.Gen Consultants Ltd. (funded by ADB) - Equipping Youth for Employment Project - 2019

Project Description:

The project aims to provide an array of technical inputs to support the government of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar—particularly the Ministry of Education (MOE) and Ministry of Industry (MOI), in cooperation with the Ministry of Labour, Immigration and Population (MOLIP) and other agencies—to implement the Equipping Youth for Employment Project (EYE), which is financed by the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

EYE aims to strengthen Myanmar's education and skills base, supporting Myanmar's transition toward a modern, market-based economy, and promoting inclusive growth and job creation.

Plan International Myanmar - Dual-Client (Labor Market & Youth) Assessment for Kachin and Rakhine - 2019

Project Description:

MKE conducted a desk rearch of dual‐client assessment to understand labor market opportunities for, as well as interests of, adolescents and young people and which skills development and livelihood interventions were most appropriate for enabling sustainable income generation opportunities for them in target areas.

Yunnan Gateway Culture Communication Co.Ltd - Asphalt Shingles Roof in three countries: Thailand, Singapore, and Philippines - 2018

Countries Involved:

Thailand, Singapore, and the Philippines.

Project Description:

The project aimed to collect market data of asphalt shingles roofs in each of the three countries, such as production and consumption capacity, import and export, supply and demand base analysis, top 5 manufacturers, and other macro environmental factors affecting asphalt shingles roofs.

MKE team conducted literature review, interviews with relevant stakeholders, market research and prepared reports for each country.

Enclude B.V - DGIS: Evaluation of the Inclusive Business Accelerator in Vietnam and Mozambique - 2017

Project Description:

The IB Accelerator was designed to both consolidate and scale-up private sector engagement in Base of the Pyramid (BoP) markets. Current offerings of BoP business support were scattered and service providers were not aware of the many BoP market opportunities that exist or lack the quality and capacity to create inclusive business strategies at scale.

MKE conducted an evaluation on the relevance, effectiveness, efficiency and sustainability of the programme. Data collection tools included SME phone surveys, logistical support and interviews. A final report was prepared.

The German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development - Study on Mining Sector Stakeholder Interaction in Shan State - 2017

Project Description:

The BGR-DOM Project “Sustainable Development of the Mining Sector in Myanmar” was a programme module integrated in the technical cooperation programme “Sustainable Economic Development” that had been commissioned by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BGR). Project partner was the Department of Mines (DOM) that was responsible for the national guidance and supervision of the mining sector in Myanmar.

The project’s aim was to improve the quality of mining supervision with respect to safety, social and environmental aspects. MKE provided two local experts to assist the lead firm and the project consultants to accomplish a study on a study on the topic of “mining sector stakeholder interaction in Shan State’ commissioned by the DOM-BGR project.

BSI & ADB - Consultancy services for Enhancing Capacity of Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Arrangements to Facilitate Trade in the Greater Mekong Subregion – 2017

Countries Involved:

Vietnam, China.

Project Description:

The project built on the SPS projects for CLV and extended SPS analysis and consultations to the GMS. It also added value by bringing in the other countries to pursue GMS level analysis, discussions and consensus of SPS issues. In addition, the Technical Assistant prioritised the analysis on cooperation between customs and SPS agencies to strengthen the linkage between them, particularly in the areas of risk profiling, risk management and information sharing, through enhanced data sharing, and the establishment of a coherent and integrated approach to risk management.

This analysis eventually contributed the groundwork towards establishment of national single window systems and realization of the ASEAN single window, as well as the Asian Cargo Highway. Two National Consultants from MKE worked with BSI on this assignment.

IFC - Market research on Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Vietnam with a specific focus on those owned by women (WSMEs) - 2017

Project Description:

MKE assisted the lead firm, providing input for desk research including the facilitation of explorative interviews, conducting 300 WSMEs (SMEs owned by women) surveys and 200 male-owned SMEs. MKE delivered the raw data, translated the answers to open questions into English, and facilitated 9 Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) and wrote a brief report describing the main findings for each FDG. MKE also wrote selected sections in the Inception Report and Final Report, and participated in the meetings with key informants and IFC.

State Government of Victoria (Australia) - International Education Opportunities in Vietnam - 2017

Project Description:

The South East Asia Victorian Government Business Office (SEA VGBO) seeked to commission a project to scope international education barriers and opportunities in Vietnam for Victoria State’s universities and education service providers. MKE delivered a comprehensive report that provided strategic recommendations to support market access for Victorian higher education, vocational education and training (VET), English language and professional development providers.

Other tasks included: Undertaking desk research to define and broadly scope the sectors in Vietnam, and understanding the activities of Victorian organizations in Vietnam and Victoria’s comparative advantage; Outlining 4 case studies of successful foreign and local “commercial cooperation models” in Vietnam; Conducting 10 in-depth interviews with relevant stakeholders in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City; Developing an itinerary for the Kuala Lumpur VGBO’s market visit to Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. MKE was to deliver a report with rich findings and recommendations.