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Mr. Perames Vudthitornetiraks, President of the Neighbouring Countries Economic Development Cooperation Agency (Public Organization) (NEDA), engaged in a bilateral discussion with ADB’s Country Directors from three Countries: Ms. Sonomi Tanaka, Country Director of the Lao PDR Resident Mission (LRM); Mr. Shamit Chakravarti, Country Director of the Bhutan Resident Mission (BHRM); and Ms. Stefania Dina, Country Director of the Timor-Leste Resident Mission (TLRM).The meeting delved into the socio-economic dynamics of these three countries, which NEDA aims to expand its cooperation through Official Development Assistance (ODA). Topics included ADB’’s strategic direction and policies regarding project implementation, as well as exploring avenues for collaborative development initiatives between NEDA and ADB.This discussion took place during the 57th Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors of the Asian Development Bank in Tbilisi, Georgia, during 2 - 4 May 2024.

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 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 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 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.

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.

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.