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Mr. Rapipit Promnart, Director of Policy and Planning Bureau representing the Neighbouring Countries Economic Development Cooperation Agency (Public Organization) (NEDA), recently convened with Mrs. Saymonekham Mangnomek, Deputy Director General of the Department of International Cooperation, Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI), to delve into policy discussions.The primary focus of the meeting was to explore avenues for enhancing the reception and utilization of the Official Development Assistance (ODA) in the Lao PDR. Additionally, both parties engaged in dialogues regarding the alignment of ODA project proposals with the National Socio-Economic Development Plan of the Lao PDR for the upcoming period. The discussions aimed to furnish insights crucial for shaping the ODA strategy of NEDA. The meeting took place in Vientiane Capital, Lao PDR, on April 23, 2024.

Mr. Rapipit Promnart, Director of Policy and Planning Bureau representing the Neighbouring Countries Economic Development Cooperation Agency (Public Organization) (NEDA), has a series of discussion with Development Partners in Lao PDR. Among them were: 1) Ms. Sonomi Tanaka, Country Director of the Asian Development Bank Lao Resident Mission; 2) Mr. SHIBATA RISA, Representative of the JICA Laos office; and 3) Mr. Alex Kremer, Country Manager of the World Bank Laos office. The discussions aimed to gather insights from various Development Partners regarding the economic stability and financial landscape of Lao PDR, both presently and in future projections. These insights will serve as vital guidelines for devising cooperative strategies to support the development goals of the NEDA in Lao PDR. The meetings took place in Vientiane Capital, Lao PDR, during 22 - 23 April 2024

Mr. Rapipit Promnart, Director of Policy and Planning Bureau representing the Neighbouring Countries Economic Development Cooperation Agency (Public Organization) (NEDA), met with Mr. Kawin Viriyapanich, Minister Counsellor (Commercial), Office of Commercial Affairs, Vientiane, regarding the economic landscape of Lao PDR. During the meeting, both parties delved into the potential and constraints surrounding trade and investment between Thailand and Lao PDR. They also explored avenues to streamline trade facilitation through collaborative development mechanisms. A key focus of the discussion was on leveraging Official Development Assistance (ODA) provided by the NEDA to bolster future business endeavors of the Thai private sector in Lao PDR. The meeting took place in Vientiane Capital, Lao PDR, on April 22, 2024.

Colonel (Ret.) Saranyu Viriyavejakul, D.Sc., Vice President of NEDA, chaired the inspection committee overseeing the contracting and construction management for the detailed design phase of the Road 68 improvement project. Representatives from the Neighbouring Countries Economic Development Cooperation Agency (NEDA) and the Cambodian Ministry of Public Works and Transport convened in Siem Reap, Cambodia, to discuss and gather feedback on the project to upgrade Road 68. The meeting aimed to enhance the transportation link between Klauranh and O Smach/Chong Chom Border Crossing at the Surin border, covering approximately 120 kilometers. On April 10, 2024, the committee, which includes representatives from the highway department and NEDA officials, along with the project designers, surveyed the route from Klauranh to the Osmach/Chom border in Surin Province. The following day, an interim report was presented, and feedback was solicited during a meeting with Cambodian transport officials and project designers in Siem Reap, marking a crucial step in the cross-border infrastructure initiative.

On April 10, 2024, Mr. Kirati Veruwan, Vice President of the Neighbouring Countries Economic Development Cooperation Agency (NEDA), along with a delegation and representatives from the Department of Roads, Laos, led by Deputy Director Mr. Phitsaphonh Philavong, conducted field visits along Route 11 (R11) from Khok Khaodor to Ban Non Sawan to Sanakham to Ban Wang to Ban Nam Sang in Vientiane Province, Laos. The team surveyed residents and road users to gauge their satisfaction with the development of the route. This project, funded through a cooperative financial agreement between NEDA and the Government of Laos, involved a loan of 1,826,500,000 Thai Baht to complete the final missing link in the Chiang Mai-Vientiane Economic Corridor (CVEC). The development has reduced travel distance by approximately 234 kilometers and cut travel time by over three hours, facilitating easier movement and boosting trade, investment, and tourism between the regions. The project was completed in October 2023 and is currently in the warranty phase.

On April 3, 2024, Mr. Perames Vudthitornetiraks, President of the Neighbouring Countries Economic Development Cooperation Agency (NEDA), and his delegation visited Mr. Jin Liqun, President of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) in Beijing, People’’s Republic of China. The visit, at the invitation of the AIIB, aimed to discuss collaborative approaches for financial assistance in developing infrastructure within the Mekong sub-region and to exchange visions for infrastructure development in the area.

On March 7-8, 2023, the Neighbouring Countries Economic Development Cooperation Agency (NEDA), led by Mr. Perames Vudthitornetiraks, President of NEDA, and Mr. Kirati Veruwan, NEDA’s Vice President, in their capacity as the Chairmen of the Committee for the Acceptance of the Detailed Design Project for the Construction of the Chiang Man–Luang Prabang Bridge in Lao PDR, along with the Lao PDR side, led by Mr. Blongvang Wangchiaxa, Director of the Department of Public Works and Transport of Luangprabang Province, and Mr. Sysouphanh Chansavat, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Highways, together with delegations from NEDA and Lao PDR, attended the meeting to present the final report of the Output and Performance-Based Road Contract (OPBRC) at the meeting room of the Department of Public Works and Transport in Luang Prabang, Lao PDR. On this occasion, representatives from NEDA, Lao PDR, and advisors also conducted additional site inspections of the project area. The project in question represents a cooperative academic effort by NEDA to assist Lao PDR in exploring comprehensive financial cooperation strategies for sustainable development under the OPBRC model, which aims to establish a construction contract management framework focused on performance. This model assigns the responsibility of both construction and maintenance of the project to the construction operators to promote the project’s sustainability.

On February 22, 2024, Mr. Perames Vudthitornetiraks, President of the Neighbouring Countries Economic Development Cooperation Agency (NEDA), and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pailin Phujeenaphan, Dean of the Faculty of Political Science and Public Administration, Chiang Mai University (CMU), signed a research and academic collaboration agreement between NEDA and the Faculty of Political Science and Public Administration, CMU. This agreement is designed to facilitate cooperation and joint efforts in the realms of policy research and academic partnerships, including the exchange of skills, knowledge, and experience in development cooperation under NEDA’’s mission. It serves as a knowledge base and a source of both primary and secondary critical information, which will be applied to extend the operations of both organizations in the future.

The Neighbouring Countries Economic Development Cooperation Agency (NEDA), in collaboration with the Faculty of Political Science and Public Administration at Chiang Mai University, organized the "Hackathon on Building Sense of Awareness for NEDA’’s Creative Mission" event. This initiative is part of a memorandum of understanding on academic and research cooperation between NEDA and the faculty. It aims to foster awareness of NEDA’’s role in promoting Official Development Assistance (ODA) through a competitive design challenge. The event encourages interactive learning and provides a platform for students to showcase their presentation skills and develop useful concepts for NEDA. From February 21-23, 2024, at the Faculty of Political Science, Chiang Mai University, a total of 8 teams comprising 24 students from various faculties, including Political Science, Science, Social Sciences, Humanities, Engineering, Economics, and Mass Communication, participated in the competition.

Mr. Perames Vudthitornetiraks, President of the Neighboring Countries Economic Development Cooperation Agency (NEDA), attended the official opening ceremony of the R11 construction project—Krok Khao Do - Ban Non Savan - Sanakham - Ban Wang - Ban Nam Sang Route in the Lao People’’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR). During the event, he highlighted the history and successes of collaboration across various sectors, as well as the mutual benefits that Thailand and Lao PDR will derive from the project. Mr. Ngampasong Muangmanee, Minister of Public Works and Transport (MPWT), and H.E. Ms. Morakot Sriswasdi, Ambassador of Thailand to Lao PDR, were also present, participating in the ribbon-cutting ceremony to officially open the route at Ban Non Savan, Vientiane, Lao PDR, on February 20, 2024.

On February 14, 2024, a delegation from the Neighboring Countries Economic Development Cooperation Agency (NEDA), led by Vice President Mr. Kirati Veruwan, toured the Midwifery Center in Baguia, Timor-Leste. The visit, which also included H.E. Mr. Atipat Rojanapaibulya, Ambassador-Designate of Thailand to Timor-Leste in Dili, and Ms. Pressia Arfin-Cabo, a representative from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), aimed to explore collaborative opportunities to support the Community Maternal and Child Health Center for Maternity and Midwifery (BEmONC) in the area. This project seeks to enhance public health sector collaborations between NEDA, the UNFPA, and the Timor-Leste government, aligning with NEDA’’s strategic focus on partnering with neighboring countries to improve health services and facilities. The visit highlights the commitment of all parties involved to boost public health infrastructure and care in Timor-Leste.

Colonel (Ret.) Saranyu Viriyavejakul, D.Sc., Vice President of the Neighboring Countries Economic Development Cooperation Agency (NEDA), attended a special event to extend congratulations to the Export-Import Bank of Thailand (EXIM BANK) on its 30th anniversary. During the celebration, he also participated in making a donation to the "Siriraj Foundation." After that, Dr. Rak Worakijpokathorn, Managing Director of the Export-Import Bank of Thailand (EXIM BANK), graciously received the donation at the EXIM Building’’s Head Office on Phahonyothin Road, on February 15, 2024.