On 18-20 June 2023, H.E. Ms. Lada Phumas, Ambassador of Thailand to Malaysia led a Thai delegation, including representatives from the Office of the National Economic and Social Council (NESDC), Southern Border Provinces Administrative Centre (SBPAC), National Innovation Agency (NIA), Federation of Thai Industries (FTI), Thai Chamber of Commerce and Board of Trade of Thailand, and Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand (IEAT) to visit the Northern Corridor Economic Region (NCER) in Penang, Perlis and Kedah, as part of the Embassy’s Connectivity Project to enhance “connectivity” along Thailand’s southern provinces and Malaysia’s northern states.

The Embassy’s said initiative is driven by the three primary objectives, which are:
To highlight the importance of connectivity and linkages along the borders of both sides;
To connect point of contacts among Thai and Malaysian relevant agencies with key rolesin executing the connectivity initiatives; and,
To explore and identify areas of cooperation that would contribute to socio-economic benefits of the Thais and Malaysians living along the shared border.

On 19 June 2023, H.E. Ambassador Lada and the Thai delegation met with the Executives of the Northern Corridor Implementation Authority (NCIA), the statutory body responsible for the development of NCER at NCIA HQ Office in Penang. The Delegation was briefed on the developments of projects being implemented in the NCER. The Delegation also took a visit to the Chuping Valley Industria Area (CVIA) and Perlis Inland Port (PIP) in Perlis and Kedah Rubber City (KRC) in Kedah.

H.E. Ambassador Lada emphasized the importance of enhancing seemless and comprehensive connectivity along Thailand-Malaysia’s shared border, which has always been at a core of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand and the Embassy’s priority. In this regard, she urged the Thai delegation to connect, exchange and form cooperation with the NCIA and concerned Malaysian agencies.

Mr. Zuhairi Bin Mohmad, Director of Corporate Services of the NCIA welcomed the Delegation and reiterated Thailand-Malaysia’s cordial relations in the areas of economic, social and cultural cooperation. He wished that the Delegation’s visit to the NCER this time would enable exchange of information, meaningful future cooperation and collaboration.

In addition, Ms. Nalinee Kanchanamai, Assistant to IEAT’s Governor, briefed on investment opportunities in Thailand as well as overview of the Industrial Estates in Thailand under the purview of the IEAT. These include the Songkhla Industrial Estate in Sadao district, Songkla province of Thailand and the Rubber City Industrial Estate in Hat Yai district, Songkhla province of Thailand.