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The resident mission’s first full year of operations was marked by significant strengthening of the collaboration between the Government and ADB as reflected in an expanded knowledge-sharing program and continued policy dialogue on addressing the development challenges and opportunities that Thailand faces as a middle-income country.
Several major technical assistance projects were successfully completed in 2006, including the preparation of a long-term development plan for three tsunami-affected provinces, the design of a comprehensive pension system, and the analysis of options for integrating Bangkok’s urban mass transit system and maximizing private sector participation in the construction and operation of an expanded network. ADB approved four technical assistance grants (including one supplementary), amounting to $1.5 million. One of these will support the implementation of a newly approved capital market development plan while another will strengthen the capacity of Thailand’s Neighbouring Countries Economic Development Cooperation Agency to become a lead government donor agency. ADB also maintained its prominent role in the domestic capital market with the issuance of a second baht bond in the amount of B6.50 billion. No loans were provided, but discussions to develop a business pipeline for both sovereign and nonsovereign lending progressed well during the year.
In the context of joint efforts to prepare a new country partnership strategy, consultations with the Government have reconfirmed that there is scope for an expanded, yet tightly focused, role for ADB in Thailand. Policy dialogue has centered on building a partnership with ADB that helps strengthen Thailand’s competitiveness in the global economy by removing key constraints on greater productivity and creating a more conducive environment for private sector investment. At the national level, the Government seeks ADB’s support in core strategic areas, such as structuring private–public sector partnerships for complex, large-scale infrastructure projects; addressing key structural and regulatory reforms to further develop the domestic capital market; and introducing innovative approaches and technologies for improving environmental management and promoting energy efficiency initiatives.
As a middle-income country, Thailand desires to increase its role, capacity, and effectiveness as a regional donor and global development partner. ADB brings considerable added value to the partnership by sharing its extensive experience and expertise in supporting subregional cooperation programs and regional economic integration. At the regional level of partnership, Thailand and ADB will work together to cofinance development projects in neighboring countries, facilitate increased subregional trade and investment, and contribute to the development of more efficient and liquid bond markets in Asia. Continued progress on these initiatives will also serve to strengthen the role of the resident mission as a hub for ADB’s operations in the GMS and in the region.
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Thailand desires to increase its role, capacity, and effectiveness as a regional donor and global development partner
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