New friendship bridge to foster Thailand-Myanmar trade
Myanmar and Thailand have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to boost the transfer of goods across the second Thailand-Myanmar friendship bridge.
The second Thailand - Myanmar friendship bridge (Photo: Bangkok Post)
Bangkok (VNA) –Myanmar and Thailand have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to boostthe transfer of goods across the second Thailand-Myanmar friendship bridge.
Crossing Moei river, the 760-metre-longbridge with four lanes connects Tak province’s Mae Sot district in Thailand toMyawaddy town in Myanmar.
Thailand funded its construction,which was worth about 3 billion baht (nearly 98.5 million USD). Aiming to alleviatecongestion on the nearby first Thailand-Myanmar friendship bridge, the project alsoincludes one-stop-service border checkpoints. Inaugurated in March, the bridgeis expected to be turned into a permanent border gate between the two countriesfrom October 30.
In a related development, Thai Ministerof Commerce Jurin Laksanawisit held a meeting on October 3 with the jointpublic-private sector consultative committee on Thailand-Myanmar border tradepromotion at Mae Sot to boost border trade between the two countries.
Laksanawisit said the ministrywill be coordinating businesses in Thailand and Myanmar to increase bordertrade and boost bilateral ties.
In the first eight months of 2019,Thailand’s trade turnover with Myanmar reached 55 billion baht (1.8 billionUSD), accounting for 18.3 percent of its total border trade volume withneighbouring countries.
With the opening of the newfriendship bridge, the border trade value via Mae Sot is expected to top 100billion baht (3.27 billion USD) in 2020, with exports from Thailand likely toincrease by more than 30 percent./.
The cabinet approved an agreement between the governments of Thailand and Myanmar to suppress human trafficking and eliminate the trafficking at organisational level effectively and in timely manner.
Thailand and Myanmar have signed a cooperation deal to promote tourism routes connecting ancient cities of the two countries in preparation for a travel boom expected from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
Thailand and Myanmar have agreed to strengthen bilateral cooperation on transnational issues, including drug smuggling, the repatriation of Myanmar refugees, and illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing (IUU).
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The new framework is designed to ensure that incoming investments deliver tangible national benefits, such as the creation of high-quality jobs for Malaysians and the development of local company ecosystems and technologies.
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Thai Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai on August 7 outlined his strategy for tackling drug problems in Thailand, aiming for a "Zero Drugs Thailand" within three months.
The US has described Malaysia's role as Chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) as vital in helping ease tension between Thailand and Cambodia.
Indonesia ranks as the world's sixth-largest gold reserve holder, producing an estimated 160 to 200 tonnes annually, mainly through major state-owned enterprises. Despite this, much of the mined gold is held or traded abroad. In 2024 alone, Indonesia exported gold worth 5.4 billion USD while reimporting 2.6 billion USD worth of the metal.
Cambodia and Thailand vowed not to undertake provocative actions that may escalate tensions, including entering the other side’s air space and territory, and refrain from constructing or enhancing military infrastructure.
Trenggono emphasised that the Indonesian government aims to increase the total coverage of MPAs to 97.5 million hectares by 2045. This initiative forms a key component of the “Golden Indonesia 2045” vision, which prioritises sustainable maritime development and environmental protection.
The second Thailand - Myanmar friendship bridge (Photo: Bangkok Post) 
