In a recent address, Thailand’s Prime Minister, Prayut Chan-o-cha, emphasized the importance of strengthening cross-border logistics management within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to bolster regional economic integration.
Speaking at the ASEAN Business and Investment Summit, Prime Minister Prayut highlighted the critical role of efficient logistics and connectivity in facilitating trade and investment among member countries. He underscored Thailand’s strategic position and existing infrastructure as pivotal elements in transforming the nation into a central logistics hub for the region.
The Prime Minister’s remarks align with ongoing efforts by ASEAN member states to enhance regional connectivity. For instance, the Philippines has reaffirmed its commitment to modernizing its transport systems to support ASEAN’s broader integration goals. During the 30th ASEAN Transport Ministers Meeting, Philippine Transportation Secretary Jaime J. Bautista emphasized the need for a modern and efficient national transport system to strengthen partnerships within ASEAN.
In Thailand, there have been concerted efforts to position the country as a logistics hub. The Thai Logistics Service Provider Federation has urged the government to implement policies that leverage Thailand’s geographic location and infrastructure. The federation’s president, Suwit Ratanachinda, noted that the high-speed railway connection between Laos and China has significantly reduced transit times to Central Asia and Europe, enhancing Thailand’s logistical competitiveness.
Additionally, the Thai government is expediting its cross-border trade strategy. The Commerce Ministry has established task forces to address border trade issues, aiming to increase the value of cross-border and transit trade to 2 trillion baht by 2027. This strategy includes upgrading existing border checkpoints and improving infrastructure to facilitate smoother trade flows.
These initiatives reflect a collective recognition among ASEAN nations of the need to improve logistics and connectivity to support economic growth. By enhancing cross-border logistics management, ASEAN aims to create a more integrated and competitive regional economy, benefiting all member states.
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