Thailand Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha has spoken to India’s Deputy Foreign Secretary Vijay Ku- mar Singh about becoming involved in the Dawei Special Economic Zone (SEZ), which has stalled in recent months. According to Thai media reports, Prayuth raised the is- sue after an Asia-Europe meeting, saying that the project could be part of the planned trilateral highway linking India, Myanmar and Thailand.
The Dawei project was the first largest eco- nomic zone to be announced, but has strug- gled due to financial constraints and the fact that Japanese companies now appear to be focusing their efforts on the Thilawa Special Economic Zone, which is located closer to Yangon. Thailand and Myanmar had earlier agreed to restart the project when Prayuth met with President Thein Sein in Nay Pyi Taw. Prayuth has also said that an agree- ment would be signed on Phase 1 of the project in November.
The two countries will give impetus to the mega project – which includes a deep-sea port after Gen Prayut mooted the possibili- ty of Thai investors joining the project and developing infrastructure, the Thai News Agency reported.
Thailand is keen to press ahead with Dawei in tandem with Japan as a new joint devel- oper.
Deputy Transport Minister Arkhom Term- pittayapaisith said that Japanese govern- ment could participate in the Dawei SEZ Development Co.
The firm has replaced Italian-Thai Devel- opment Plc, which received the original de- velopment concession from the Myanmar government in November 2010 but failed to kick-start the scheme.
The two countries also agreed to expand ties in the ”partnership for security and development” with pledges to crack down on drugs, regulate migrant workers, clamp down on human trafficking and develop border areas to increase trade, investment and jobs.
Mae Sot district in Tak province will be set up as a special economic area and used as a model for other areas.
Gen Prayut made his first overseas visit to Myanmar as the country holds chairman- ship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.
The Thai and Myanmar leaders also witnessed a ceremony for twin-city agreements signed by the governors of the sister cities of Chiang Mai and Kentung, Prachuap Khiri Khan and Myeik and Ranong and Kawthaung.
