Southern Thai governors convene on IMT-GT strategies

BANGKOK, January 11 (TNA) - The Thai Ministry of Interior and the Prime Minister’s Office held a teleconference with the governors of 14 southern Thai provinces on Friday to introduce strategies for the Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand Growth Triangle (IMT-GT). During the teleconference, Interior Minister Charupong Ruangsuwan and Minister Attached to the Prime Minister's Office Niwatthamrong Bunsongphaisan explained the IMT-GT strategies for the provincial governors. Niwatthamrong said, based on the IMT-GT, the Thai government plans to distribute prosperity nationwide, increase people’s income, cut their expenses and create more opportunities for them and the nation. A representative of the Office of the National Economic and Social Development Board (NESDB) also presented a development plan, development strategies and the development of strategic and investment plans for the 14 southern Thai provinces, aimed at facilitating mutual trade, investment and tourism among the three neighbouring countries, which are related to their national strategies, including those concerning participation in the ASEAN Community (AC), set to be established by 2015. Meanwhile, representatives of concerned agencies are scheduled to meet in February or March 2013 to discuss the implementation of relevant strategies. In February, there will also be an informal ministerial meeting and a signing ceremony for the establishment of an IMT coordination centre. In April, there will be a meeting of regional leaders in Brunei, a meeting to implement policies of the regional leaders in May and a forum of provincial governors and chief ministers on the Samui Island in Thailand's southern Surat Thani province in August. (TNA)