China, India to be invited to join development efforts

Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia will deepen economic and logistic cooperation under the Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand Growth Triangle (IMT-GT) with a plan to invite China and India into the partnership.

Deputy government spokeswoman Rachada Dhnadirek said yesterday the three nations will foster closer cooperation under the sub-regional cooperation initiative which comprises several cooperation frameworks including customs, immigration, labour data, and e-commerce.

She said the next step is to invite China and India to join the IMT-GT initiative which is a sub-regional initiative formed in 1993 by the three nations to accelerate economic and social development.

As for projects to enhance connectivity in the region worth US$39 billion (1.2 trillion baht), a total of 14 projects habve been completed including the Hat Yai airport expansion scheme, Ms Rachada said. She said new projects include the development of a rail transport system between Thailand and Malaysia and a tourism development project in northern Sumatra by Indonesia.

She said IMT-GT has also agreed to join hands in protecting global geoparks by signing a memorandum of understanding.