Initiative Gathers Mekong Innovations Spurred by the COVID-19 Pandemic

An initiative by the Mekong Tourism Coordinating Office (MTCO) [6], Destination Mekong [7], and the Mekong Institute [8] (MI) taps individuals' help in crowdsourcing newly-spotted innovations on how the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is being managed and/or overcome in the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS). The GMS comprises Cambodia, Yunnan and Guangxi in the People’s Republic of China, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Myanmar, Thailand, and Viet Nam. Innovations may be initiatives led by Governments, large companies, small businesses, startups, individuals, or partnerships. Anyone can participate. 

According to the news release [9], the goal of this project is to instill consumer confidence among residents and tourists by visualizing tangible initiatives being innovated and implemented. The project aims to showcase innovations that may also inspire businesses and organizations in other Mekong countries to adapt and learn from these initiatives. The initiative also hopes to attract foreign investment into the region by positioning the region as being innovative, resilient, and creative. Innovations can be shared and viewed at the Innovations for Our Future page [10] on Destination Mekong [7]. 

The Asian Development Outlook 2020 (ADO 2020) [11] released by the Asian Development Bank in April 2020 underscored the importance of innovation. ADO 2020 emphasized that In these difficult times, when challenges to growth abound, innovation is critical to inclusive and environmentally sustainable growth.