No Immediate Plans for Malaysia-Thailand Border SEZ/FFZ

Acting Economy Minister Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan stated there are no specific current plans to establish a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) or Financial Free Zone (FFZ) along the Malaysia-Thailand border.

However, the Economy Ministry is open to considering such a proposal in the future if a need arises and it offers mutual benefits. This was in response to a question about developing Padang Besar as an SEZ or FFZ.

Amir Hamzah highlighted existing regional cooperation platforms like the Indonesia–Malaysia–Thailand Growth Triangle (IMT-GT) and the Malaysia–Thailand Joint Development Strategy for Development Areas (JDS). He also mentioned ongoing border development initiatives in Kedah, Kelantan, Perlis, and Perak, including the Kedah Rubber City (KRC) and eight Border Special Economic Zones, and the Northern Corridor Highway.