The ‘Ports Learning Tour’ in Thailand aimed to enable senior officials from Bangladesh to learn from Thailand’s successful development of the globally competitive Laem Chabang Port (LCP). The tour aimed to bridge skill gaps, enhance knowledge of public-private partnerships (PPP), widen exposure to regional peers, and foster knowledge exchange to support Bangladesh’s port sector reforms. The tour comprised five structured sessions in Bangkok and Laem Chabang.
During these sessions, the delegation engaged with counterparts from the Thai central government and other pertinent private sector stakeholders. The program delved into government-level management and regulatory systems that influence port operations. Additionally, participants engaged in discussions with key agencies to gain insights into the evolution of Thai container ports, challenges in the container port sector, priority reform measures, and the measurement of key performance indicators.
The program’s content delivery was divided into three phases:
This phase entailed a comprehensive pre-departure briefing lasting 2-4 hours, conducted virtually to prepare participants for the upcoming experience
This phase spanned five days of in-person activities in Thailand, accompanied by a networking event to facilitate collaboration and exchange of knowledge
Within one month of their return from the learning tour, participants engaged in a one-day online session, allowing them to apply and integrate the knowledge acquired
In addition to the technical coursework, participants also enjoyed the following benefits:
- Access to valuable knowledge and industry best practices
- Establishment of deeper relationships and networks
- Expansion of the participants' exposure to regional government and industry peers involved in the development, operation, and management of port PPP models. This includes government counterparts, operators, and investors in Thai container ports, particularly LCP
