Contribution to Small Medium Enterprise (SMEs) Competency Development for Launching Myanmar-Thailand Border Trade in Mae Hong Son Province

Abstract

       The purposes of this research were (1) To study information from Small Medium Enterprise (SMEs) businesses in Mae Hong Son province which has potential competition. (2) To study the competency development of Small Medium Enterprise (SMEs) in Mae Hong Son province in terms of development and preparation for Launching Myanmar-Thailand Border Trade

      The sample group used in this research are 160 entrepreneurs who supported by office of provincial commercial affair Mea Hong Son province in 2020 by using a questionnaire form as a tool to collect data. The research shows problems and obstacles of entrepreneurs are affected by the current uncontrollable situations of Covid-19 pandemic, economic situation and restless in border areas that directly affected these entrepreneurs in terms of finance, investment, sales, marketing, production, services, labor and trade alliances. To upskill in terms of competency development, the entrepreneurs should be encouraged to understand excellent manufacturing and service practices, International law on import and export products, value-add proposition , support of revolving funds and cash flow, and business management under uncontrollable circumstances, as well as building a business partnership network.