PUBLISHED : 17 Aug 2023 at 04:00
Authorities will draw up a list of policies which they hope will boost economic activity and growth across the 14 provinces in the South over the next four years.
The plan was unveiled at a discussion between the Southern Border Provinces Administrative Centre (SBPAC) and Thailand Chamber of Commerce (TCC), led by SBPAC deputy secretary-general, Chonthun Sangpoom, and TCC deputy chairman, Wattana Thanasakcharoen.
The talks focused on the region’s economic development — in particular, in the deep South, which has the lowest income per capita in the region and possibly the entire country, said Mr Chonthun.
He attributed the disparity to security conditions which are unique to the South and have hampered efforts to develop the region.
Mr Chonthun said those present agreed to come up with a new strategy. It includes a plan for a “Food Innopolis”, a hub for halal food research and production, which would appeal to the wider Southeast Asian region.
The hub will be connected to other research and production hubs along the Thailand-Malaysia-Singapore corridor, as well as in China, Japan and Indonesia.
“Key to this strategy’s success is the involvement of the private sector, with local authorities acting as facilitators,” he said.
Mr Wattana said the strategy is in line with TCC’s outlook for the region and will help elevate people’s quality of life.
TCC will support SBPAC’s attempt to promote the development of trading, agriculture and food production, as well as tourism and hospitality in the region, he added.