The Office of the NESDB held a seminar on "Feasibility Studies for Development Master Plan of Five Southern-most Provinces", presided over by Deputy Prime Minister Amnuay Virawan at the JB hotel, Hat Yai, Songkhla, recently.
At the opening ceremony, NESDB's Secretary-General Wirat Wattanasiritham delivered a report that the office of the NESDB was assigned to formulate the development master plan for five southern-most provinces so as to upgrade economic and social development of this southern-most area of the country to serve the Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand Growth Triangle Development Project (IMT-GT).
To undertake the study, the NESDB hired a consulting firm, the Southeast Asia Technology Co, Ltd. with the budget under the FY 1995 and 1996 of Baht 23 million within 15 months, from September, 1995 to December, 1997. At present, the steering committee is considering the draft final report of the Master Plan.
In addition, NESDB's Secretary-General, disclosed that the consultants suggested, according to the feasibility studies, six priority projects, namely; 1) Human Resource Development 2) Gulf of Pattani Management Study 3) Landbridge Projects for Lowersouthern (Andaman sea- Gulf of Thailand) 4) In-land Container Depot Project at Songkla 5) Rural Industry development project 6) the Establishment of Islamic Bank.
Mr.Wirat further added that the human resource development project is consistent with the philosophy of the Eighth Plan. The Gulf of Pattani Management study is also concerned about the Prosperity Decentralization Policy. Especially, the Islamic Bank is a center of the regional development because it will enhance the community development opportunity.
Outcomes, derived from the seminar, are consistent with the Eighth Plan's strategies, focusing on guidelines to translate the plan into action, and also on economic linkages with neighboring countries. According to Mr.Wirat, a responsible agency, directly in charge of the development of these provinces, should be established, and the NESDB will raise this issue for the Cabinet consideration.
--Development News Bulletin, National Economic and Social Development Board, Volume 12, No.2: February 1997--
At the opening ceremony, NESDB's Secretary-General Wirat Wattanasiritham delivered a report that the office of the NESDB was assigned to formulate the development master plan for five southern-most provinces so as to upgrade economic and social development of this southern-most area of the country to serve the Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand Growth Triangle Development Project (IMT-GT).
To undertake the study, the NESDB hired a consulting firm, the Southeast Asia Technology Co, Ltd. with the budget under the FY 1995 and 1996 of Baht 23 million within 15 months, from September, 1995 to December, 1997. At present, the steering committee is considering the draft final report of the Master Plan.
In addition, NESDB's Secretary-General, disclosed that the consultants suggested, according to the feasibility studies, six priority projects, namely; 1) Human Resource Development 2) Gulf of Pattani Management Study 3) Landbridge Projects for Lowersouthern (Andaman sea- Gulf of Thailand) 4) In-land Container Depot Project at Songkla 5) Rural Industry development project 6) the Establishment of Islamic Bank.
Mr.Wirat further added that the human resource development project is consistent with the philosophy of the Eighth Plan. The Gulf of Pattani Management study is also concerned about the Prosperity Decentralization Policy. Especially, the Islamic Bank is a center of the regional development because it will enhance the community development opportunity.
Outcomes, derived from the seminar, are consistent with the Eighth Plan's strategies, focusing on guidelines to translate the plan into action, and also on economic linkages with neighboring countries. According to Mr.Wirat, a responsible agency, directly in charge of the development of these provinces, should be established, and the NESDB will raise this issue for the Cabinet consideration.
--Development News Bulletin, National Economic and Social Development Board, Volume 12, No.2: February 1997--