Rope in start-ups, private sector for SEZ, Thailand urged

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia has proposed to Thailand to involve start-up companies and the private sector in the establishment of Special Economic Zones (SEZ) in order to attract more investments into such areas.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said the proposal was presented to Thai Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa during a courtesy call on him on Tuesday.

“Their involvement (private and start-up companies) can attract more investments into the SEZ.

“In fact, I also suggest that Kelantan take the opportunity to build business spaces along Sungai Golok,” he said in a post on Facebook, Bernama reported.

In the meeting, they also discussed the results of his working visit with Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin to Sungai Golok, Thailand, and Rantau Panjang, Kelantan, on Saturday.

During the working visit, the two leaders also discussed the rubber sector and food industry.

In addition, Anwar said he and Maris discussed dredging the Sungai Golok estuary to deal with flood issues and to better assist communities along the border of the two countries who face problems related to the phenomenon on an almost yearly basis.

Anwar also expressed Malaysia’s commitment to the Southern Thailand Peace Dialogue Process.

“Both countries have also agreed for Malaysia to host the seventh Annual Consultation on Sept 19,” he added.

Anwar had previously expressed Malaysia’s commitment to help speed up the Peace Dialogue Process.

Malaysia is a facilitator for peace talks aimed at ending decades of conflict from its watershed moment in January 2004 in the southern provinces of Narathiwat, Yala, Pattani and parts of Songkhla.

Former National Security Council director-general Datuk Mohd Rabin Basir was appointed as the new Malaysian government facilitator for the Southern Thailand Peace Dialogue Process effective July 1.