ASIATODAY.ID, BANGKOK – The governments of Thailand and Malaysia will collaborate to promote a twin city project in the southern Thai region, which aims to stimulate its economy.
Thai media reported Friday that Deputy Prime Minister and Trade Minister Phumtham Wechayachai chaired a meeting to study progress made in developing the five southernmost provinces, including the twin cities, in partnership with Malaysia.
The initiative is to turn conflict zones in the provinces into trade arenas in an effort to promote peace, Phumtam said.
In addition, the report added that the two Southeast Asian countries will work together to achieve five goals as part of the initiative.
Therefore, the five provinces of Satun, Songkhla, Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat in southern Thailand will be paired with five respective Malaysian states, namely Perlis, Kedah, Perak, Terengganu and Kelantan, according to Phumtham.
Phumtam said the first goal is to establish a trade partnership between the two countries, with a focus on increasing sales of agricultural products, and eliminating burdens related to bilateral trade measures.
This step is expected to increase the yield of commercial crops and livestock production in the southern region.
The two sides will also work together to open more halal market channels in Malaysia for Thai farmers and entrepreneurs, building a comprehensive Thailand-Malaysia trade center to facilitate trade activities between the two countries.
In addition, to resume trading activities near the border with Malaysia in Satun province, after stopping due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The two countries also plan to establish a collaborative task force between the Malaysian Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry, and the Thai Ministry of Trade to push forward the initiative. (VNA-OANA)
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