The Office of the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC), as the National Secretariat for Thailand under the Indonesia–Malaysia–Thailand Growth Triangle (IMT-GT) framework, hosted the 19th Strategic Planning Meeting and related meetings from February 24–26, 2026, in Bangkok. The objective was to discuss ways to accelerate implementation during the final year of the Five-Year Implementation Blueprint 2022–2026.
The meeting was chaired by Ms. Sasitorn Phulattadej, Deputy Secretary-General of the NESDC, as the Thai Senior Official. She was joined by senior officials from the other two member countries: Mr. Winardi Hanafi Lucky, Consul General of the Republic of Indonesia in Songkhla, and Datuk Mariam binti Elias, Director of the Regional Economic Development Division, Ministry of Economy of Malaysia. Representatives from the Asian Development Bank, the ASEAN Secretariat, the IMT-GT Joint Business Council, as well as government agencies, the private sector, and academic institutions from the three countries, totaling over 250 participants, were also in attendance.
The meeting acknowledged the progress of operations under the Implementation Blueprint (IB) 2022–2026 and approved the strategic direction for 2026, which marks the final year of the current plan. Emphasis was placed on accelerating incomplete projects, pushing for unmet targets, and upgrading monitoring and evaluation systems to reflect concrete outcomes. Furthermore, the meeting promoted cross-sectoral integrated operations and enhanced the roles of the private sector and academia in driving subregional cooperation.
In the dimension of economy, trade, and connectivity, the meeting prioritized cooperation in agriculture and agro-industry, particularly palm oil and rubber, as well as elevating smallholder farmers into regional value chains. It also focused on promoting tourism through the 2nd Tourism Cooperation Forum and the development of cross-border tourism routes alongside transport facilitation. Efforts to upgrade the Halal industry and services were discussed to increase competitiveness and resolve cross-border certification constraints. Additionally, trade and investment will be driven through cooperation in customs, immigration, and quarantine (CIQ). Trade fairs and business matching activities will be organized during the 32nd IMT-GT Ministerial Meeting in Indonesia in September 2026 to expand the role of the private sector in the subregion.
In the dimension of sustainable development and long-term capacity building, the meeting emphasized developing transportation that reduces carbon emissions and improving regulations to facilitate cross-border transport. Support for the digital transformation of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) through infrastructure and skills development was highlighted. The meeting also addressed human resource development through vocational training and skill standard certification, the development of labor market databases, and environmental initiatives under the Circular, Blue, and Green Economy concepts, alongside waste and marine pollution management. The IMT-GT Joint Business Council (JBC) and the IMT-GT University Network (UNINET) will support the integration of research, innovation, and multi-stakeholder participation.
Furthermore, the first day of the meeting featured a brainstorming session to prepare the new five-year action plan, the Implementation Blueprint 2027–2031, with broad participation from sectoral working group representatives, the private sector, and the academic sector of member countries. The meeting reviewed lessons learned, successes, and challenges from the current plan to define strategies and operational guidelines for the next phase, aligning with the rapidly changing global and regional economic contexts. The results of these discussions will lead to the drafting of the new plan for further consideration within the IMT-GT process.
Strategy and International Cooperation Coordination Division
Office of the National Economic and Social Development Council