IMT-GT summit strengthens connectivity, tourism in three countries

The IMT-GT summit is expected to further encourage the acceleration of inclusive and sustainable economic growth in the face of various challenges ahead.

 

Jakarta (Indonesia Window) – The result of the 15th Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand Growth Triangle or the IMT-GT Summit is believed to be able to increase connectivity and growth in the tourism sector in the three countries, an Indonesian minister has said.

The Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy/the Head of the Tourism and Creative Economy Agency, Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno, made the remarks in Indonesia’s Labuan Bajo tourist area, West Manggarai district, East Nusa Tenggara province, Thursday (May 11/5).

On the occasion, Indonesia also launched the 2023-2025 IMT-GT Visit Year program as a subregion of ASEAN, which is expected to involve 10 provinces in Sumatra as well as Southern Thailand and Malaysia, according to the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy/Head of the Tourism and Creative Economy Agency in a written statement as quoted by Indonesia Window, Friday.

“One of the main issues is downstreaming industries including the tourism industry, as well as strengthening connectivity so that the target can further increase tourist visits,” Sandiaga said.

According to Sandiaga, the three countries (Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand) are close both geographically and culturally.

“Hopefully, we can achieve the initial target of 60 million tourists with the 2023-2025 IMT-GT Visit Year, so there is a potential for an additional 75 billion U.S. dollars in foreign exchange. Indonesia was asked to be the leader in this visit year,” he said, adding that the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy would initiate the program in Indonesia’s provinces of Bangka Belitung and South Sumatra.

“After that we will come to ten provinces in Sumatra (island) as well as Malaysia and Thailand, and also (strengthen) connectivity between Batam-Bintan and Malaysia-Johor and several other destinations to increase connectivity in the three countries,” he said.

Finally, Sandiaga said, his party will hold a world entrepreneur summit in Padang City, West Sumatra province.

“I have earlier invited Malaysia’s prime minister and representatives from the Thai government as well as the Secretary General of ASEAN to attend the event, which is as part of events designed for the IMT-GT,” he said.

“I also gave things to Labuan Bajo as when accompanying the Singapore government, we had a discussion about making a flight route from Singapore to Labuan Bajo,” the minister said.

Previously, Indonesian President Joko Widodo chaired the 15th Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand Growth Triangle (IMT-GT) Summit on Thursday (May 11) at Meruorah Hotel, Labuan Bajo, East Nusa Tenggara province.

The IMT-GT is expected to further encourage the acceleration of inclusive and sustainable economic growth in the face of various challenges ahead.

Reporting by Indonesia Window