From February 20-24, 2025, a delegation from the Promotion and Economic Development of the Six Mekong River Basin Countries Trade Association, led by Mr. Chutiwat Chaidarun, President of the Association, and Mr. Krittakorn Uttamo, Secretary-General of the Association, visited Shanghai, Suzhou, and Nantong, China, to study the electric vehicle (EV) industry. The visit aimed to enhance cooperation in technology and industrial development for EVs within the Mekong subregion.
Visiting Geely and Higer's EV Bus Manufacturing Plants
The delegation was honored to visit the EV bus manufacturing facilities of Higer Bus Company Limited and Geely New Energy Commercial Vehicles, which are leading companies in clean energy vehicle technology in China. This visit provided the delegation with insights into EV production processes, energy management systems, battery technologies used in electric buses, as well as market trends and China’s policies on clean energy development.
Business Collaboration and Investment Opportunities
Beyond factory visits, the delegation also participated in meetings with executives from Higer Bus and Geely to exchange information on EV policies in China and ASEAN. The discussions focused on strategies for promoting electric bus adoption in the Mekong region and explored business and investment opportunities in the EV industry.
Future Prospects for the EV Industry in the Mekong Region
This study visit highlighted significant opportunities for developing EV infrastructure, adapting Chinese EV technologies to the Mekong region, and advancing supportive policies for EVs to drive green economic growth.
The Promotion and Economic Development of the Six Mekong River Basin Countries Trade Association will analyze the information gathered from this visit and coordinate with both government and private sectors to establish concrete cooperation for the development of the EV industry in the Mekong subregion.