The training course is co-organised by the UNESCAP, the ITD and Thailand as a capacity building activity for CLMV (Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam) and Thailand. The participants are government officials and academia from CLMV (4 from each country) and Thailand (up to 15). ESCAP provides venue, handles programme and resource persons (except financially) and ITD provides financial support while the Minitry of Commerce of Thailand secures one speaker from government.

The objectives of the training course are: 1) to inform the participants of recent developments and new trends in the area of government procurement; 2) to familiarise the participants with WTO/GPA rules and principles and its relevance for developing countries; and 3) to share national experiences on public procurement and trade agreement negotiations in this area.