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Mr. Perames Vudthitornetiraks, President of the Neighbouring Countries Economic Development Cooperation Agency (NEDA), revealed that the Council of Ministers of Thailand endorsed a collaborative initiative with the Lao People’’s Democratic Republic, on April 18, 2024, to upgrade and improve Road 12 (R12), extending from Tha Khaek to the Naphao border crossing. This effort is part of a strategic plan to enhance connectivity not only between Thailand and Laos but also with Vietnam and China’’s Nan Ning City in Guangxi province through the comprehensive transport network of the Greater Mekong Subregion. Mr. Perames Vudthitornetiraks also stated that this route, which is the shortest compared to Roads 8 (R8) and 9 (R9), will integrate into the East-West Economic Corridor (EWEC) alongside Thailand’s R9. This development is set to streamline cross-border trade, investment, and tourism, and significantly boost the region’s competitiveness. It also aims to bolster Thailand’’s role in fostering development and expanding trade and investment opportunities within the subregion.

On April 10th, 2024, H.E. Mr. Paitoon Mahapannaporn, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary in Colombo and Mr. Rapipit Promnart, Director of the Policy and Planning Bureau, Neighbouring Countries Economic Development Cooperation Agency (Public Organization) (NEDA), met with H.E. Mrs. Shanika Dissanayake, Additional Secretary, Economic Affairs, to provide information regarding the roles and missions of NEDA in fostering cooperation for economic development with Sri Lanka. Specifically, the discussion focused on academic cooperation in capacity building for public debt management, aiming at establishing the Public Debt Management Office (PDMO) under the Ministry of finance of Sri Lanka. The meeting took place at the Economic Affairs Division, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

On April 9th, 2024, Mr. Rapipit Promnart, Director of the Policy and Planning Bureau, represented Neighbouring Countries Economic Development Cooperation Agency (Public Organization) (NEDA), met with Mr. Ajith Abeysekera, Director General of the Department of External Resources (ERD), and Mr. R.H.W.A. Kumarasiri, Director General of the Department of National Planning (NPD), to discuss the guideline for academic cooperation in capacity building on Public Debt Management, towards establishing the Public Debt Management Office (PDMO) under the Ministry of finance of Sri Lanka. at the New Auditorium, Ministry of Finance, Economic Stabilization and National Policies, in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

On April 9th, 2024, Mr. Rapipit Promnart, Director of the Policy and Planning Bureau, represented the Neighbouring Countries Economic Development Cooperation Agency (Public Organization) (NEDA), to pay a courtesy call on H.E. Mr. Paitoon Mahapannaporn, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary in Colombo, to discuss the Sri Lankan economic and political situation, as well as to provide information on NEDA’s Official Development Assistance (ODA) framework and guideline at the Ambassador residence in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

On April 4, 2024, Mr. Perames Vudthitornetiraks, President of the Neighbouring Countries Economic Development Cooperation Agency (NEDA), along with a delegation from NEDA, met with Mr. Du Wei, Deputy Director-General of the First Department of Regional Affairs at the China International Development Cooperation Agency (CIDCA). The meeting focused on discussing the direction, policies, and mechanisms of financial and academic assistance provided by the People’’s Republic of China in the Mekong River sub-region. During this meeting, NEDA introduced its role and mission to CIDCA, informing the agency of NEDA’’s key role as a Thai governmental body in fostering development cooperation in the Mekong River sub-region.

Colonel (Ret.) Saranyu Viriyavejakul, D.Sc., Vice President of the Neighbouring Countries Economic Development Cooperation Agency (NEDA), accompanied by Mr. Rapipit Promnart, Policy and Planning Bureau Director, visited and discussed with Mr. Nirawat Rangseekanjana, Director General of the Department of International Trade Promotion in Phnom Penh. The meeting focused on perspectives regarding the trade and investment situation of the Thai private sector in Cambodia, and the operational directions of NEDA that contribute to supporting the business activities of the Thai private sector in the future. The meeting took place in Phnom Penh, Kingdom of Cambodia, on March 12, 2023.

Colonel (Ret.) Saranyu Viriyavejakul, D.Sc., Vice President of the Neighbouring Countries Economic Development Cooperation Agency (NEDA), together with Mr. Rapipit Promnart, Policy and Planning Bureau Director, visited H.E. Chhuon Samrith, Director General of the General Department of International Cooperation and Debt Management (GDICDM) at the Ministry of Economy and Finance of Cambodia. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss forecasts for Cambodia’’s economic conditions, the management of Cambodia’’s public debt risk, and strategies for managing after transitioning from being categorized as one of the Least Developed Countries (LDCs). These discussions aimed to guide risk management in providing financial and academic cooperation to Cambodia, held in Phnom Penh, Kingdom of Cambodia, on March 11, 2023.

Colonel (Ret.) Saranyu Viriyavejakul, D.Sc., Vice President of the Neighbouring Countries Economic Development Cooperation Agency (NEDA), accompanied by Mr. Rapipit Promnart, Policy and Planning Bureau Director, engaged in discussions with various cooperation partners in Cambodia, including 1) Ms. Jyotsana Varma, Country Director of the Asian Development Bank Cambodia Resident Mission, 2) Mr. Sodeth Ly, Senior Economist at the World Bank Cambodia Office, and 3) Ms. Ai Miyahara, Senior Representative of the JICA Cambodia Office. The meetings aimed to explore the partners’’ perspectives on Cambodia’’s economic volatility as a guide for managing risks related to financial and academic cooperation with Cambodia, held in Phnom Penh, Kingdom of Cambodia, from March 11-12, 2023.

Mr. Perames Vudthitornetiraks, President of the Neighbouring Countries Economic Development Cooperation Agency (NEDA) and Mr. Rapipit Promnart, Policy and Planning Bureau Director traveled to attend the closing ceremony of the Locomotive Driving training course at Nong Khai Railway Station on Friday, January 12th, 2567. Mr. Chatchawal Kanitayon, Deputy Chief Engineer of the Mechanical Maintenance Division, and the management of the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) participated. They provided technical assistance (TA) in the form of capacity building to prepare for the readiness of the railway operation (Nong Khai - Vientiane) for the Lao National Railways (LNR). This collaboration between SRT and the Thai railway authority, which has knowledge and expertise in railway systems, included two courses: "Locomotive Driving" and "Selling Train Ticket System." The training aimed to equip the participants with the necessary knowledge, understanding, and skills to operate trains correctly according to regulations and operational procedures efficiently. This is to support the upcoming railway operation from Nong Khai to Vientiane (Ban Kham Sawa) which is nearing completion and ensure maximum effectiveness in the project’’s development.