Bangkok: IMT-GT joins forces to connect the economies of three countries, opening markets for Thai products, creating jobs, and increasing income for people in southern Thailand. Thailand participates in the IMT-GT Ministerial Meeting, moving forward with connecting the economies of the three countries, opening markets for Thai products, creating jobs, and increasing income for people in southern Thailand.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Thanadit Raktabutr, Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister, was assigned by Deputy Prime Minister Dr. Ekniti Nitithanpraphas to serve as Thailand's Minister for the IMT-GT Programme. He participated in the 32nd IMT-GT Ministerial Meeting to promote concrete economic cooperation between Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand, particularly for the benefit of the people in the 14 southern provinces of Thailand, in Medan, North Sumatra, Republic of Indonesia.
The meeting was chaired by Mr. Airlangga Hartarto, Minister of Coordinating Economic Affairs of Indonesia, along with the Minister of Economic Affairs of Malaysia, representatives from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the ASEAN Secretariat, and representatives from Thailand including Ms. Sasithorn Palatthadej, Deputy Secretary-General of the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC), as the Senior Official of IMT-GT; Mr. Songklod Sawangwong, Governor of Trang Province, as the head of the Thai CMGF delegation; governors and deputy governors from 14 southern provinces; the private sector; and relevant agencies.
Mr. Thanathit stated, 'The meeting acknowledged the results of the IMT-GT 5-year plan (2022-2026) and discussed the plan for 2027-2031, focusing on a shift from short-term activities to cross-border projects with clear, measurable goals and the potential for sustained benefits. This is based on the concept of economic resilience, connectivity, and shared prosperity. The IMT-GT meeting is not something distant from the people, because the ultimate goal is to improve farmers' product sales, enhance market access for entrepreneurs, facilitate faster and more efficient cross-border travel and transportation, and create new jobs and skills for the younger generation in the South.'
Key areas of collaboration include facilitating cross-border trade and travel by developing more interconnected infrastructure and customs, immigration, and quarantine (CIQ) systems. Connecting the new Sadao border crossing with Malaysia's Bukit Kayu Hitam border crossing will reduce transport time and costs, increase efficiency, and create opportunities for cross-border businesses, logistics, and communities.
Additionally, increasing the value of agricultural products and opportunities for farmers through technology, innovation, and the development of new generation farmers is a priority. The upgrading of the value chains for rubber, palm oil, food, and herbs includes the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on palm oil between the three countries, covering trade, sustainability, product research and development, and enhancing competitiveness to support small-scale farmers, cooperatives, and Thai entrepreneurs.
The initiative aims to open up markets for Thai SMEs and the halal industry by developing experts, certification systems, and cross-border movement of goods covering food, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, fashion, healthcare services, and tourism, in order to access the Malaysian, Indonesian, and global Muslim markets.
Distributing tourism income to secondary cities and communities through cross-border tourism routes and packages, food tourism, Muslim-friendly and responsible tourism is also emphasized. This will help increase revenue for hotels, restaurants, transportation businesses, local entrepreneurs, and community products.
Furthermore, developing workforce skills and quality of life, including digital skills, vocational skills, labor skill standards, and labor market databases, coupled with expanding digital infrastructure, the internet, and 5G, as well as developing green cities, reducing pollution, addressing climate change, and investing within the SUDF framework, are crucial components of the plan.
Mr. Thanathit also proposed developing economic corridors linked to the eight sectors of the IMT-GT (Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand Growth Triangle), with clear goals and a monitoring and evaluation system. He emphasized the importance of private sector participation from design and investment to project implementation, ensuring that these corridors meet market and public needs.
For Thailand, IMT-GT will strengthen its role as an economic gateway connecting Malaysia, Indonesia, and ASEAN, linking the Songkhla and Narathiwat Special Economic Zones to regional supply chains, attracting investment, and enhancing competitiveness. Thailand is ready to host the 17th IMT-GT Leaders' Summit in 2028, coinciding with Thailand's ASEAN chairmanship. 'The success of IMT-GT should not be measured by the number of meetings or events held, but by increased income, actual jobs created, reduced costs, and improved quality of life for the people. The Thai government is therefore committed to ensuring that this cooperation leads to tangible results for the people.'