Projects worth RM7.5 billion to improve ties

2009/10/18


MALACCA: Eight projects worth almost RM7.5 billion have been proposed by the Indonesian, Malaysian and Thai governments to enhance physical connectivity and better linkages between the three countries.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop said of the eight projects, four would be built in Indonesia, three in Thailand and one in Malaysia.

The projects include the development of
Sumatra ports and toll roads,
Malacca-Dumai Economic Corridor transportation system,
Malacca- Pekan Baru power inter-connection network,
Southern Thailand ports development, and the construction of the
Pak Bara cargo port and
Hat Yai-Sadoa toll road.

“Enhancing physical connectivity and better linkages between the three countries are a key and critical role in the Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand Growth Triangle’s (IMT-GT) development strategy, ” Nor Mohamed said after the three-day 16th IMT-GT Ministerial Meeting ended here on Thursday.

Besides the proposed projects, Nor Mohamed said he also proposed the IMT-GT could venture into halal products and medical tourism.

“These are among the areas which have tremendous growth potential and would also benefit the three countr ies.” IMT-GT was established in 1993 with the aim of boosting economic growth. Its programmes are private sector driven and facilitated by the relevant ministries in each member country.


Some 200 delegates attended the meeting. Also present were Indonesian Ministry for Economic Affairs senior officer, Raidi Hendro Koestoer, Thailand National Economics and Social Development Board deputy secretary-general Porametee Vimolsiri and representatives from Japan, the Asean Secretariat, Asian Development Bank, Economic Research Institute for Asean and East Asia and IMT-GT Joint Business Council.


The meeting, among others, deliberated on the progress and implementation of the IMT-GT Roadmap to Development 2007-2011 which includes development in tour - ism, halal products and services, agriculture, transportation and human resources development, and the future direction of IMT-GT beyond 2011.