H.E. Mr. Don Pramudwinai, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand, joined the Thai delegation led by H.E. Gen. Prayut Chan-o-cha, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand, to attend the 11th Indonesia – Malaysia – Thailand Growth Triangle (IMT-GT) Summit on 28 April 2018 at Shangri-La Hotel, Singapore, as a side event to the 32nd ASEAN Summit. The summit was chaired by the Prime Minister and attended by Mr. Joko Widodo, President of the Republic of Indonesia; Hon. Tun Musa Hitam, Special Envoy of the Prime Minister of Malaysia; along with Dato Lim Jock Hoi, Secretary-General of the ASEAN Secretariat; and Mr. Stephen Groff, Vice President of the Asian Development Bank. 

 

During the meeting, the IMT-GT leaders adopted a joint statement, deliberating on the implementation of the IMT-GT Implementation Blueprint 2017 – 2021 to achieve the IMT-GT vision of an integrated, innovative and sustainable sub-region in 2036. 

 

The leaders called for active involvement from all IMT-GT stakeholders to accelerate the implementation of the Physical Connectivity Projects and the Sustainable Urban Development Framework, enhance tourism by pursing sustainable, inclusive, and competitive cross-border circuits and routes, improve air connectivity and enhance human resource development through the implementation of the IMT-GT University Network (UNINET).

 

The Thai Prime Minister delivered a statement reiterating the importance of physical connectivity projects and the utilization of initiatives for a seamless world, such as the Belt and Road Initiative and the Free and Open Indo-Pacific Strategy, and the establishment of the Sixth Economic Corridor, proposed by Thailand, which will connect Patani – Yala – Narathiwat with Perak and Kelantan. Projects requiring further discussion included a new entry point linking the new Sadao CIQ with Bukit Kayu Hitam ICQS. The Prime Minister also elaborated the Thailand 4.0 Policy as an approach to further strengthen IMT-GT as well as support development in innovation and creativity for the future. He further emphasized the role of the IMT-GT Joint Business Council so that it could work more effectively as a coordinator for businesses at all levels. The Prime Minister also informed the meeting that Thailand will be hosting the Brunei Darussalam – Indonesia – Malaysia – Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) & IMT-GT Trade Fair in Songkhla in July 2018.

 

Furthermore, to celebrate the 25th year of IMT-GT, the Thai Prime Minister proposed that Member Countries host events to raise awareness and publicize the work of IMT-GT until the 12th IMT-GT Summit to be held in Thailand next year.

 

The Indonesia – Malaysia – Thailand Growth Triangle (IMT-GT) cooperation was established in 1993 with a view to strengthen economic growth and to improve the welfare of the people in the sub-region. The cooperation comprises 6 strategic pillars, namely (1) transport and ICT connectivity, (2) trade and investment, (3) agriculture and agro-based industry, (4) Halal products and services, (5) tourism, and (6) human resource development.