Thailand-Malaysia Special Economic Corridor

Investment/TM-SEC

Chatrudee Theparat

Malaysia and Thailand will co-establish a special economic corridor

Thailand and Malaysia agreed to establish "Thailand-Malaysia Special Economic Corridor" (TM-SEC) to boost the economy in the region.

TM-SEC is planned to cover the provinces in southern of Thailand and the northern states in Malaysia.

Prime Minister of Malaysia, Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Anwar Ibrahim, yesterday attended the business meeting with the Captains of Industry and delivered a keynote speech on “The Future of ASEAN”. This event hosted by the Malaysian-Thai Chamber of Commerce (MTCC).

“After becoming Malaysian prime minister, I gave the highest priority to ASEAN.
I would add that Malaysia and Thailand collectively have a high potential for economic and social development, which we can explore and implement for the better of the people.” Said Mr Anwar Ibrahim.

“We should explore how to set up the “Thailand-Malaysia Special Economic Corridor” (TM-SEC) covering the provinces in southern Thailand and the northern states in Malaysia.”

This is to unleash the economic and business potential of the region and give the opportunity to link to Asia and the middle east. It would help strengthen the IMT-GT (Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand Growth Triangle) by focusing on the weakest spot in the Growth Triangle area.”

“Peace and prosperity for the people should be the most desirable outcome of the government.” The leaders and top policymakers are aware of the potential of ASEAN. Had we worked together, we surely can drive ASEAN together to a new height.”

Prime Minister of Malaysia, Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Anwar Ibrahim

He said there are many policies that ASEAN leaders should pay attention, including promoting intra-ASEAN trade and investment, creating a new environment of education, research and development in ASEAN for the new ASEAN generation, exercising leadership and reinforcing the ASEAN financial cooperation as a shield for our members.

“I would say that we should revitalise the ASEAN spirit. It can be done by setting our mind into the mode of “cooperation, and not competition”. Our leaders should lead the way for the new generation to have the will and ways to conform with the young minds in other ASEAN nations.”

Dr Thanong Biyada, former finance minister delivered opening remarks and share his insight about business opportunities for cooperation between Malaysia and Thailand.

He said Thailand and Malaysia have a very long great relationship and passed through many economic crises in ASEAN together. Various agreements to form partnerships in ASEAN projects have been triggered, but many projects were not finished since most countries were still in the early stages of industrial development.

“At present, ASEAN has developed into a successful free trade area and could foster investment and business partnerships. It is about time to rethink a new strategy to boost the regional economy together. The visit of the Prime Minister of Malaysia to Thailand will mark a great possible rejuvenation of political, economic and social ties between two countries.”

The forum was also honoured by Dr Kanit Sangsubhan, chairman of the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) Advisory Board,to moderate a fruitful and insightful discussion in the Q&A session.