The Myanmar Young Entrepreneurship Association is already taking steps in this direction.

According to San Zaw Htet, a member of the association, Myanmar's information base for entrepreneurs was recently launched on Dec 7. Their next goal is to connect it with a larger, global database.

In discussing his understanding of the conference theme "Overcoming Challenges", he pointed out that a major issue for companies in many Southeast Asian countries, including Myanmar, is the instability of exchange rates.

"ASEAN, combined with China, Japan, and South Korea, can be considered a super large economic entity. I have great expectations for closer cooperation and development in this region in the future," he added.

At the parallel meeting on marine industry cooperation, participants engaged in a lively discussion on the cultivation of talents in marine fisheries.

Professor Li Jingyu from Ocean University of China in Qingdao, Shandong province, is leading a joint master's degree program between her university and Kasetsart University in Thailand. Over the past six years, nearly 40 students from ASEAN countries have participated in this program.

She emphasized the significance of university-industry collaboration.

"In the field of fisheries, enterprises often move faster than academia," she said. "Universities can conduct specific research projects or train graduates according to the needs of these enterprises. This not only addresses the talent gap in enterprises but also leverages the financial support from enterprises to provide better education for more young people."

For Li, attending this conference is an invaluable opportunity to establish cooperation between universities and enterprises.

"On one hand, there are voices from many countries and regions here; on the other, it gathers numerous entrepreneurs. I have accessed a wealth of information and resources here," she said.

guiqian@i21st.cn