TRAINING SUPPORT IN TRADE AND INVESTMENT INFORMATION MANAGEMENT

In-service training in the management and services of trade information and market research for government officials and business executives is organized by ESCAP/TIS upon request. The sessions are arranged in cooperation with the NFPs in Thailand other TISNET members, where field visits are organized for the observation of information collection, processing and, publications, statistical data manipulation, and databases in relation to foreign trade.

Recent selected requests were undertaken for:

• Bureau of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation (BOFTEC) Guizhou and Yunnan Provinces of Southwest China
  A study tour for officials involved in trade information, to various trade information related institutions in Asia, including Thailand,was arranged to familiarize them with the management and operational activities of services in these institutions. As the TISNET regional focal point, the ESCAP Trade Information Service (TIS) has been requested coordinating in the preparation of this study tour in Thailand, from 17 to 21 June 1996.

• The Research Institute for External Economies (RIEE) is currently implementing a Programme Element, entitled "Support to the Research Institute for External Economies of the People's Democratic Republic of Korea (DPRK)."

• Study tour in Bangkok for four RIEE officials with management responsibilities, 7 - 14 December 1995.

• An ESCAP/ITC Workshop on International Market Research for Democratic People's Republic of Korea Trade Officials, from 13 May - 24 May 1996 at the United Nations Conference Centre in Bangkok, Thailand, for 8 participants.

• The Trade Information Service of the Export Promotion Council of Iran (EPCI). In service training was arranged for two information officers, for a period of 10 days. Their areas of responsibility include the preparation of Country, Market, and Product Profiles.

• TongaTrade has recently been restructured. It has appointed a Trade Information/ Trade Promotion Officer, and an in-service training programme from 29 October to 5 November 1997 was arranged.