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19 Sep, 2017

Maritime link between Songkhla – Penang in the pipeline

BANGKOK, Thailand Sept 15 (NNN-Bernama) — Malaysia’s proposal for a better connectivity between Songkla Port in southern Thailand and Penang Port has received a thumbs-up from Thai Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha.

The premier said both countries would intensify discussions on the matter as it could be of mutual benefit.

“We share the border, so, I think we should be joining hands. We should develop our economy together through increased connectivity such as our sea ports, customs borders and investment on both sides,” he told the media at the Government House here today.

Earlier today, he received Malaysian Second Finance Minister Johari Abdul Ghani and members of the Kuala Lumpur Business Club (KLBC), who were three-day visit to Thailand beginning Wednesday, at his office.

The KLBC’s delegation is headed by its president Tengku Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz who is also CIMB Group Holdings Bhd Chief Executive Officer.

Johari sounded off Malaysia’s proposal for a better connectivity between Songkla Port and Penang Port when he called on Thai Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak on Thursday.

Johari told Bernama that Thailand was excited over the proposal which would see better flow of goods and containers from Songkla Port to Penang Port as better connectivity between the two seaports was needed due to their close proximity.

Besides providing better linkage between the two ports, Prayut said he and Johari also discussed the development of the Rubber City between the Songkla province in southern Thailand and Kedah.

Johari also brought along several potential investors for the Rubber City project and introduced them to Prayut and Somkid.

“From now on, we will discuss further on road construction (at the border) and we will mobilise everything within this year,” Prayut said, adding that he and Johari also discussed ways to increase economic cooperation between the two neigbours.

“Many countries are interested in Thailand and ready to join hands with us,” he said.–NNN-BERNAMA