MEDAN | INDATANEWS.COM - North Sumatra Governor Bobby Nasution has called for stronger economic cooperation among the member countries of the Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand Growth Triangle (IMT-GT). He said the move is a strategic step to accelerate regional development and improve the welfare of the people.
Bobby made the call during the 32nd Chief Ministers' and Governors' Forum (CMGF) of the
IMT-GT in Medan. The forum brought together regional leaders and delegates from Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand to discuss the future of regional cooperation amid changes in the global economy.
At the meeting, each country presented recommendations, ideas, and proposals for advancing various IMT-GT programs. North Sumatra also highlighted several potentials that could support regional economic growth, including the Sei Mangkei Special Economic Zone (SEZ), ports, industrial areas, the agricultural sector, and other economic resources.
Bobby believes the potential of each region must be connected through concrete forms of cooperation. In his view, strengthening the economy should not stop at discussions or planning. Concrete measures are needed so that people can directly feel the benefits.
"We discussed many issues related to the economy, academia, the environment, and other areas. One of the main focuses was the economy. We all agree that we need to strengthen one another while protecting the environment through a green and blue economy," Bobby Nasution said after the event at the JW Marriott Hotel on Jalan Putri Hijau No. 10, Medan, on Wednesday, September 9, 2026.
Economic Strengthening as a Priority
Bobby explained that economic cooperation was among the key issues discussed at the CMGF IMT-GT. The three countries, he said, must jointly strengthen their economic capabilities while ensuring environmental protection and sustainability.
The concepts of the Green Economy and Blue Economy play an important role in this effort. The Green Economy promotes economic growth while preserving the environment, while the Blue Economy focuses on the sustainable use of marine resources.
North Sumatra holds a strategic position in supporting this agenda. The Sei Mangkei SEZ, port infrastructure, industrial areas, and the agricultural sector can become part of a regional economic network connecting Indonesia with Malaysia and Thailand.
Bobby views connectivity between regions and countries as one of the key factors in enabling existing economic potential to generate greater added value. Therefore, the outcomes of discussions at the
IMT-GT forum must be translated into concrete programs with clear objectives and measurable benefits.
According to Bobby, strengthening cooperation also requires a platform where different ideas can be brought together and transformed into programs that can be implemented sustainably.
"We need more than just plans. We need a platform to turn ideas into concrete programs that can have a direct impact on this region,"
Bobby Nasution said.
STRENGTHENING ECONOMIC COOPERATION: Head of the Malaysian delegation to the CMGF Abu Bakar Hamzah supports strengthening the economy as a shared agenda among IMT-GT member countries. (PHOTO: YT Hariono)
Malaysia Supports Regional Cooperation
The head of the Malaysian delegation to the CMGF, Abu Bakar Hamzah, welcomed the various programs and ideas presented at the meeting. In his view, strengthening the economy must become a shared agenda among IMT-GT member countries.
Abu Bakar also considers economic cooperation an important component in strengthening the region's resilience. Amid constantly changing global dynamics, countries in the region need to intensify their relations and jointly strengthen their economic capacities.
"We support the programs presented by the respective representatives. We agree that strengthening the economy is an important area that we must build together," Abu Bakar Hamzah said.
The support reflects a shared understanding between Indonesia and Malaysia of the importance of stronger regional economic cooperation. Closer collaboration is expected to further develop the various economic potentials within the
IMT-GT area and create new opportunities for the people.
The cooperation could also open up greater opportunities in trade, investment, industrial development, education, and other sectors linked to regional economic growth.
IMPLEMENTING COOPERATION COMMITMENTS: Head of the Thai delegation Songklod Sawangowng calls for stronger cooperation and concrete implementation of joint agreements within the
IMT-GT framework. (PHOTO: YT Hariono)
Thailand Pushes for Concrete Implementation
The head of the Thai delegation, Songklod Sawangowng, also supported the call for stronger cooperation within the
IMT-GT framework. He emphasized the importance of cooperation between regions so that the outcomes of the forum can be translated into concrete programs.
According to Songklod, cooperation must not end with joint agreements. IMT-GT members must instead establish concrete mechanisms for implementation so that the partnership can deliver tangible benefits to the region.
"We must strengthen cooperation and clearly determine how we will implement what we eventually agree upon," Songklod said.
The 32nd CMGF IMT-GT provided regional leaders from the three countries with a platform to align their common positions on regional development. In addition to economic issues, the forum also discussed other areas, including academic cooperation and environmental protection.
The forum was attended by governors from provinces across Sumatra, representatives from eight Malaysian states, and representatives from 14 provinces in southern Thailand. Delegations from Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand were also present at the meeting.
Representatives from ASEAN, Indonesia's Ministry of Home Affairs, and relevant regional agencies within the North Sumatra provincial government also attended the forum.
Through the meeting,
North Sumatra is seeking to strengthen its role within the
IMT-GT cooperation framework while promoting the province's economic potential to regional partners. Better connectivity and stronger cooperation in the areas of the economy, investment, and sustainable development are expected to contribute to more inclusive regional growth.
For North Sumatra, the development of industrial areas, ports, agriculture, and the Sei Mangkei SEZ can form part of a strategy to expand cross-border economic cooperation. With the support of Malaysia and Thailand, IMT-GT cooperation is expected not only to produce agreements but also concrete programs that directly contribute to the development and welfare of the people. (IDNC)
REPORTER:
Ahmad Zulfikar | EDITOR:
Fik Sagala