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Indonesia–Malaysia–Thailand Growth Triangle

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The Indonesia–Malaysia–Thailand Growth Triangle (IMT-GT) started as an early attempt at economic liberalisation & integration in ASEAN. It was formally endorsed by Indonesia's President Suharto, Malaysia's Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad and Thailand's Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai in 1993.[1]

The Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand Growth Triangle (IMT-GT) subregional program aims to stimulate economic development in 32 of these three countries’ less-developed states and provinces, which are home to over 54 million people.[2]

The IMT-GT consists of:

  • 14 provinces in southern Thailand: Krabi, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Narathiwat, Pattani, Phattalung, Satun, Songkhla, Trang, Yala, Chumphon, Ranong, Surat Thani, Phang Nga, and Phuket;
  • 8 northern states of Peninsular Malaysia: Kedah, Kelantan, Melaka, Negeri Sembilan, Penang, Perak, Perlis, and Selangor; and
  • 10 provinces of Sumatra, Indonesia: Aceh, Bangka-Belitung, Bengkulu, Jambi, Lampung, North Sumatra, Riau, Riau Islands, South Sumatra, and West Sumatra.

The Asian Development Bank subsequently undertook a detailed feasibility study & formulated the framework for co-operation. The study concluded that the IMT-GT had great potential to stimulate cross-border economic integration in 6 priority areas, namely: Infrastructure Development; Agriculture & Fisheries; Trade; Tourism; Human Resource Development; and Professional Services.[3]

The IMT-GT JBC

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The IMT-GT Joint Business Council (IMT-GT JBC)[4] was inaugurated in 1995 as the official vehicle to mobilise private sector participation & involvement in the IMT-GT. Between 1995 and 2005, the IMT-GT JBC facilitated the investment of an estimated US$3.80 billion worth of new projects in the IMT-GT region.

IMT-GT Goals

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The overall goal of the IMT-GT is to accelerate private sector-led economic growth in the IMT-GT region by:

  • a. Increasing trade & investment by exploiting the underlying economic complementariness and comparative advantages;
  • b. Increasing exports to the rest of the world by enhancing competitiveness for exports and investment;
  • c. Increasing the welfare of the people by creating employment, educational, social and cultural opportunities in the IMT-GT region;
  • d. Encouraging the private sector to play a leading role, while the public sector facilitates and supports as much as possible


See also

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References

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  1. ^ "About IMT-GT". Archived from the original on 17 December 2018. Retrieved 14 April 2009.
  2. ^ "Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand Growth Triangle (IMT-GT)". Asian Development Bank. Archived from the original on 10 June 2025. Retrieved 10 June 2025.
  3. ^ "ADB's Partnership with IMT-GT". Archived from the original on 22 November 2008. Retrieved 26 November 2008.
  4. ^ "IMT-GT JBC". Archived from the original on 10 March 2009. Retrieved 14 April 2009.