PUTRAJAYA: Major task forces have been formed between Malaysia and Thailand to build stronger cooperation in various sectors, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
They will oversee tourism, trade and investments, border security as well as food security matters.
Describing Thailand as one of the nation’s key close neighbours, the Malaysian Prime Minister said he was pleased with the pragmatic solutions agreed by both parties to address those issues.
“I am pleased that you have given a very pragmatic and business-like decisions, which is rare in our normal bilateral relations between our countries,” said Anwar during a joint press conference with his Thai counterpart Srettha Thavisin following a bilateral meeting at the Perdana Putra building here yesterday.
Among the key issues discussed at the meeting were agriculture, tourism, food security, investment and trades including the halal sector as well as automobile, particularly on the idea for Proton and Chinese automaker Geely to set up a factory in Thailand.
Anwar added that the two parties were expected to meet again within a month to check on the progress of the task forces after the relevant reports were submitted to him and Srettha.
“We need to help each other as neighbours and we hope that (both nations) will benefit immensely from our cooperation,” he said.
At the press conference, Srettha said Malaysia and Thailand discussed the issue on national security in southern Thailand.
“We agreed to turn southern Thailand into a trade zone and try to bring prosperity to the area,” he added.
Srettha also said that both countries had agreed to increase trade and commerce for the benefit of the people.
On food security, he said Thailand has vast capabilities for food production but it needed Malaysia’s assistance on halal certification.
“With Malaysia’s certification, we can expand our market to the world and we believe cooperation can be further improved in this area,” said Srettha.
On Wednesday, Srettha arrived in Malaysia on his inaugural work visit for two days after swearing in as the prime minister on Sept 5.
This was the second meeting between him and Anwar. Their first engagement took place on the sideline of the 78th United Nations General Assembly last month.
In 2022, Thailand was Malaysia’s seventh largest trading partner globally and ranked third among the Asean nations. The total trade increased 17.9% to RM122.03bil from RM97.55bil in 2021.
