Bangkok: Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand remain committed to advancing the integration of the Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand Growth Triangle (IMT-GT) as a key strategy to mitigate the impacts of global uncertainties and strengthen regional stability and resilience. Thailand’s Director-General of the Department of Information at the Foreign Ministry, Nikorndej Balankura, stated that the commitment was reaffirmed by several ministers during the 58th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (AMM). He emphasised the need for more active engagement in political, economic, and trade cooperation in light of ongoing geopolitical volatility.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Nikorndej highlighted that global economic uncertainties and the pandemic have slowed the growth and pace of the IMT-GT advancement. Despite these challenges, the IMT-GT continues to pursue sub-regional integration as a strategy to mitigate negative impacts of global risk and strengthen regional resilience. This initiative aims to benefit the three countries amidst ongoing geopolitical volatility.
Connectivity, including both hardware and software aspects, remains a significant challenge for all three countries within the growth triangle. Cross-border infrastructure projects, such as roads, railways, and the harmonisation of laws and regulations governing the movement of goods and people, remain key challenges that the IMT-GT is actively working to address.
Nikorndej also highlighted the ongoing digitalisation efforts under the IMT-GT Implementation Blueprint 2022-2026. These efforts focus on developing economic corridors, facilitating digital trade, establishing data-sharing frameworks, and promoting cross-border digital payments. Addressing physical, legal, and digital connectivity is seen as crucial for boosting investment, trade, and people-to-people ties, including data flow.
Commenting on Malaysia-Thailand relations, Nikorndej stated that both countries share a common aspiration to transform their shared border area into a zone of peace and prosperity. Two main priorities have been identified to support this vision, including key infrastructure projects linking the two countries, such as road linkages connecting Songkhla (Thailand) and Kedah (Malaysia) provinces and the second bridge linking Narathiwat (Thailand) and Kelantan (Malaysia).
He added that these projects will not only connect Thailand and Malaysia but also expand linkages to larger markets, with China being a strategic destination due to its vast market. Both governments are working closely to make the ASEAN express rail transport linking Thailand, Malaysia, Laos, and China more efficient. Discussions are also underway on the possibility of reviving the Sungai Kolok (Thailand)-Rantau Panjang (Malaysia) rail link, which would connect Malaysia to the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL).
Malaysian Deputy Transport Minister Datuk Hasbi Habibollah has indicated Malaysia’s openness to discussions on reviving the 18.7-km railway track connecting Malaysia and Thailand. The rail service was closed to passenger service since 1982 while freight service was discontinued in 2006.
On May 27, the 16th IMT-GT Summit at the 46th ASEAN Summit highlighted the sub-regional framework’s role in enhancing connectivity, promoting trade, and driving sustainable growth in the region. The 58th AMM and related meetings, taking place from July 8 to 11 under Malaysia’s 2025 ASEAN Chairmanship with the theme ‘Inclusivity and Sustainability,’ feature 24 ministerial-level sessions, including with its external partners.