Thailand, Malaysia agree to increase value of bilateral trade

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 23 (TNA) -- Thailand and Malaysia plan to raise the value of bilateral trade from US$25 billion to US$30 billion annually. The intention resulted from the 13th meeting of their Joint Commission for Bilateral Cooperation (JC) and the 4th session of their Joint Development Strategy for Border Areas (JDS) in Kuala Lumpur on Oct 21 and 22, said Thai Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai. The meetings followed up the implementation of bilateral projects that included the targeted increase in the value of bilateral trade. On the occasions, Thailand asked Malaysia to import Thai rice through their land border, the minister said. Besides, both countries agreed to cooperate on halal food business, open a new border crossing to link Ban Prakorb village in Thailand’s Songkhla province and Durian Burung town in the Kedah State of Malaysia and build two new bridges across the border Kolok river. Both countries also agree to promote joint investment including that in rubber projects in their border areas and security cooperation along the border to address issues like human trafficking and people holding dual citizenships. “In the next and sixth meeting of Thai and Malaysian prime ministers, there will be concrete progress in the connectivity of infrastructures and cooperation on economic and security affairs. Thailand and Malaysia plan the joint development of border areas in the next ten years to create joint development in all dimensions. This will stimulate activities in border economic areas and increase dynamics. Thailand and Malaysia, as the neighbors that share their border, will work for this. There are so many other matters that Thailand and Malaysia will jointly promote for the utmost benefits of both countries,” Mr Don said. (TNA)