Thailand and Malaysia have pledged to push ahead with all the development of border infrastructure projects to boost industry and tourism.
The contract was reached on yesterday’s meeting in between Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon plus Malaysia’s Minister of Works Fadillah Yusof at Government House to discuss the promotion of bilateral financial activities.
High on the plan was the construction associated with two bridges across the Kolok River linking Narathiwat’s Tak Bai and Sungai Kolok districts with Pengkalan Kubor and Rantau Panjang in Malaysia’s Kelantan.
The meeting also touched on the development of two road links to facilitate transport between Songkhla’s Sadao district and Malaysia’s Bukit Kayu Hitam checkpoint, and connect Satun with Malaysia’s Perlis state.
The prepared infrastructure projects, approximated to cost regarding 1 billion baht, are expected to bolster border trade within the five border provinces and help acquire a border trade target of no less than one 1 million baht a year.
Gen Prawit said the schemes would certainly also improve vacation and transport in the five southern border provinces in addition to enhancing trade and tourism.
The development proposal, designed to support local needs, is part of a project under the Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand Growth Triangle (IMT-GT), he said.
Mr Fadillah decided to collaborate with Thailand in pushing ahead with the infrastructure development schemes.
The Malaysian minister’s visit followed the particular three-day official go to of Malaysian Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob in Feb to strengthen ties.
Back Adm Somkiat Ponprayoon, secretary-general of the Southern Border Provinces Management Centre (SBPAC), said the border infrastructure projects were the main topic of the speaks between pair.
He stated the two bridges would probably begin first, possibly in December, and Asia and Malaysia were likely to share the costs of construction.
Thai officials have submitted the look of the bridge connecting Tak Bai in order to Kelantan, Mr Fadillah said, adding that Malaysia would work on designing the other bridge.
He said the latest agreements were welcome because the schemes had been delayed for some time.