On May 21, 2024, the Ministry of Economy of Malaysia hosted the 14th Joint Development Strategy (JDS) Working Group Meeting for the Thailand-Malaysia Border Area in Langkawi, Malaysia. The meeting was chaired by Datuk Dr. Zunika Binti Mohamed, Deputy Secretary-General (Policy) of the Ministry of Economy of Malaysia. Mr. Wanchat Suwankitti, Deputy Secretary-General of the NESDC, led the Thai delegation, accompanied by officials from the NESDC, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Transport, and the Royal Thai Embassy in Kuala Lumpur, as well as representatives from relevant Malaysian agencies.
During this meeting, the JDS Strategic Plan 2024-2027 was jointly approved. The plan aims to establish guidelines for driving economic and social cooperation to improve the living standards of people in five southern border provinces of Thailand and four northern states of Malaysia. This aligns with the policy of strengthening cooperation for economic development in border areas, which is prioritized by both governments. The key aspects of the strategic plan focus on cooperation based on the 3Es principle: (1) Enhancing Connectivity, emphasizing the improvement of connectivity potential through sustainable infrastructure development and regulatory integration; (2) Ensuring Competitiveness, promoting competitiveness by developing an environment conducive to business and tourism; and (3) Enriching Human Capital, focusing on enhancing human resource capabilities to generate income for citizens and support business expansion through essential skills training and workforce innovation. Important projects under the strategic plan include the Hat Yai-Sadao Intercity Highway project connecting to Hat Yai International Airport and linking to Sadao Customs checkpoint, the Sungai Kolok-Rantau Panjang Bridge construction project, the development of Special Economic Zones in Songkhla and Narathiwat borders, the development of eco-tourism and cultural lifestyle routes in the Songkhla Lake Basin connecting to World Heritage sites, and the Local Identity Platform project for Pekayan Malay fashion. The strategic plan will be presented at the 6th JDS Ministerial Committee Meeting scheduled to be held in Malaysia this year.
On this occasion, both parties expressed their commitment to driving cooperation and integrating various projects based on mutual benefits to achieve the goals of the strategic plan and further strengthen economic and social relations. Additionally, the Deputy Secretary-General of the NESDC emphasized the importance of accelerating cooperation to achieve the trade target of thirty billion US dollars by 2025, as set by the Prime Ministers of both countries. He also encouraged both sides to focus on driving projects such as the road linking Sadao-Bukit Kayu Hitam customs checkpoints, the restoration of the Sungai Kolok-Rantau Panjang railway line, and the supply chain linkage between Special Economic Zones of Thailand and Malaysia to expand opportunities for economic and social development in the border areas between the two countries in the future.
