News

Mr. Perames Vudthitornetiraks, President of the Neighbouring Countries Economic Development Cooperation Agency (Public Organization) (NEDA), along with Mr. Rapipit Promnart, Director of the Policy and Planning Bureau, attended The Round Table Meeting among Development Cooperation Agencies of ASEAN Member Countries and Japan. The meeting was held in Tokyo, Japan, bringing together representatives from five key organizations: (1) Indonesian Agency for International Development (Indonesian AID), (2) International Cooperation and Development Division (Malaysia), (3) Technical Cooperation Directorate (Singapore), (4) Thailand International Cooperation Agency (TICA), and (5) Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

On September 6, 2024, Mr. Kirati Veruwan, Vice President of the Neighbouring Countries Economic Development Cooperation Agency (NEDA), and his delegation visited and introduced themselves to the executive team of the Department of Water Supply, Lao PDR. The meeting, led by Mr. Vanhsaveng Outthachack, Acting Director General of the Department of Water Supply, aimed to discuss the feasibility of collaborating on a project to develop the water supply system in Lao PDR. This initiative is intended to build on previous assistance provided by NEDA. The discussion took place at the Department of Water Supply, Ministry of Public Works and Transport, Vientiane Capital, Lao PDR.

On September 5, 2024, Mr. Kirati Veruwan, Vice President of the Neighbouring Countries Economic Development Cooperation Agency (Public Organization) (NEDA), along with NEDA representatives, visited the construction site of the Thailand-Laos Friendship Bridge No. 5 (Bung Kan–Bolikhamsai). They were joined by Mr. Phitsaphonh Philavong, Deputy Director General of the Department of Roads, Lao PDR, and a team of advisors and construction contractors. The visit included a progress review and discussions regarding the ongoing construction of the bridge, located in Bolikhamsai Province, Lao PDR. This project represents a financial cooperation initiative between NEDA and Lao PDR, involving a full loan amounting to 1,380,067,000 THB. As of the end of August 2024, the project is 96.37% complete and is expected to be finished by March 2025.

On August 29, 2024, Colonel (Ret.) Saranyu Viriyavejakul, D.Sc., Vice President of the Neighbouring Countries Economic Development Cooperation Agency (NEDA), along with his team and representatives from government agencies and the private sector, participated in a meeting to discuss and observe the management and operations at the Ban Laem and Ban Phakkad Permanent Border Checkpoints in Chanthaburi. The purpose of the discussions and observations was to gather opinions and information for evaluating alternative routes for the development of Road No. 57 (NR 57), connecting the Pailin Province to the Battambang Province in Cambodia. This evaluation is part of a formal request for technical assistance from the Kingdom of Cambodia.

On August 30, 2024, Mr. Kirati Veruwan, Vice President of the Neighbouring Countries Economic Development Cooperation Agency (Public Organization) (NEDA), presided over the closing ceremony of the NEDA Capacity Building Program TFY2024 for the course “Public Debt Management” at the Courtyard by Marriott Bangkok Hotel. This course is aimed at enhancing knowledge for neighbouring countries, which NEDA organizes annually. The objective is to transfer knowledge, skills, and best practices from relevant Thai agencies and development partners to officials from neighbouring countries. This will lead to the efficient and sustainable management of public debt in each country.

On August 31, 2024, Senior Col. Saranyu Viriyavejakul, Vice President of the Neighbouring Countries Economic Development Cooperation Agency (Public Organization) (NEDA), Mr. Wattanawit Gajaseni, Director General of the Thailand International Cooperation Agency (TICA), and Assistant Professor Dr. Matchima Naradisorn, President of Mae Fah Luang University, jointly presided over the closing ceremony of the training course on “Bridging the Gap in Cross Border Health Populations” at the Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai Province. The course was held from August 13-31, 2024, in Chiang Rai Province. It was an integrated collaboration between NEDA and TICA in the Human Resource Development (HRD) under the 2024 Annual International Training Course (AITC) program of the TICA, with the School of Health Science, Mae Fah Luang University, coordinating the organization of the course.

Mr. Kirati Veruwan, Vice President of the Neighbouring Countries Economic Development Cooperation Agency (NEDA) (Public Organization), and Chairman of NEDA’s Welfare Fund Committee, represented NEDA in presenting a donation. This contribution, made in celebration of NEDA’’s 19th anniversary, was given to the Foundation for the Blind in Thailand under the Royal Patronage. The funds will support rehabilitation and quality-of-life improvement activities for blind children and those with multiple disabilities at Ram Inthra School for the Blind. The donation was received by Mrs. Nuengruethai Puangpech, Director of the Foundation, on Monday, September 2, 2024.

On August 26, 2024, Mr. Perames Vudthitornetiraks, President of the Neighbouring Countries Economic Development Cooperation Agency (Public Organization) (NEDA), presided over the opening ceremony of the NEDA Capacity Building Program TFY2024 for the course “Public Debt Management” at the Courtyard by Marriott Bangkok Hotel. The Capacity Building Course is part of a Technical Assistance (TA) activity aimed at building knowledge with neighboring countries. It is scheduled to take place from August 25-31, 2024, with the collaboration of experts from relevant agencies who will lecture on public debt management and sustainable development. These agencies include the Public Debt Management Office (PDMO) under the Ministry of Finance of Thailand, the Graduate School of Development Economics at the National Institute of Development Administration (NIDA), the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), and the Agence Française de Développement (AFD).

On Friday, August 23, 2024, Mr. Kirati Veruwan, Vice President of the Neighbouring Countries Economic Development Cooperation Agency (Public Organization) (NEDA), presided over the opening of the NEDA Talk in Uni event. The event took place at the School of Management, Mae Fah Luang University (MFU). The objective of this event was to enhance understanding of NEDA’’s mission and to disseminate knowledge regarding NEDA’s development cooperation efforts. During the event, Mr. Rapipit Promnart, Policy and Planning Bureau Director, and Ms. Pannapa Poolmark, Policy and Planning Analyst, represented NEDA in delivering a presentation to students on the topic "Official Development Cooperation in the Greater Mekong Subregion."

On August 20, 2024, Colonel (Ret.) Saranyu Viriyavejakul, D.Sc., Vice President of NEDA, welcomed H.E. Koy Sodany, Permanent Secretary of State (Vice Minister) of the Ministry of Public Works and Transport (MPWT) of Cambodia, along with senior Cambodian officials and representatives from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). The study visit focused on "Facilitation of International Railway Development." During the visit, both parties discussed cooperation on the development of the Stung Bot permanent border crossing point Phase 2 and emphasized the importance of infrastructure development in the rail system. This project aims to enhance connectivity between Thailand and Cambodia and facilitate more trade convenience between the two countries.

From July 30-31, 2024, Colonel (Ret.) Saranyu Viriyavejakul, D.Sc., Vice President of the Neighbouring Countries Economic Development Cooperation Agency (Public Organization) (NEDA), and NEDA representatives visited the site of the Stung Bot permanent border crossing project and the connecting road to National Road 5 in Cambodia. This project, funded by NEDA through a concessional loan to Cambodia, involved constructing a border checkpoint building and associated facilities with a budget of 862.28 million baht. The project aims to alleviate traffic congestion and improve logistics at the Ban Khlong Luek Border Checkpoint Station in Poipet and support trade and investment expansion. The construction was completed in 2023.

On July 25th, 2024, Mr. Perames Vudthitornetiraks, President of the Neighbouring Countries Economic Development Cooperation Agency (Public Organization) (NEDA), visited Port City Colombo in Colombo, Sri Lanka. The visit aimed to discuss the strategic management approach of Port City Colombo, focusing on social and environmental sustainability issues.