Bangkok (VNA) – The government of Thailand is making efforts to removehurdles to cross-border trade with Malaysia as the Thai Commerce Ministry willhost a business matching event for enterprises of the two countries next monthto boost bilateral trade, local media reported.

The statement was made by Thai Deputy Prime Ministerand Commerce Minister Jurin Laksanawisit on September 2 after a meeting withrepresentatives from the private sector to discuss measures to deal withobstacles to Thailand – Malaysia border trade in Songkhla's Sadao district.

The country’s government and Commerce Ministry have paid much interest in boosting the bordertrade which plays a key role in improving the economy and local livelihoods inthe deep South.

In 2018,the Thailand – Malaysia trade was valued at more than 803billion THB (over 26.23 billion USD), and during the firsthalf of this year, it stood at 387 billion THB. Border trade between the two countries accounts for 70 percent of the total trade value. Last year, the bilateral border trade was estimated at more than 568billion THB and during the first half of this year, it was put at 271 billion THB.

Jurin also ledofficials to inspect progress of a second customs and immigration checkpoint inSadao district, which is expected to ease congestion at the existing Sadaoborder crossing.

He said the existingcheckpoint in Sadao has been plagued with customs bottlenecks, obstructing theflow of goods and tourists. In light of this, the meeting came up with aninitial solution to double the number of immigration personnel to 100, andwiden the road at the checkpoint from four to six lanes.

Jurin also said thateven though Thailand and Malaysia have agreed to open the checkpoint 24 hours aday for a one-year trial to reduce congestion, exports of Thai food to Malaysiaare still slow because the Thai Food and Drugs Administration has no officials working outsideoffice hours at the checkpoint.

The governor ofSongkhla will ask the provincial public health office to send officials to helpease the problem, the deputy PM said.

The meeting agreed thatthe Commerce Ministry will hold a business matching event for entrepreneurs inMalaysia's five northern states and businessmen and exporters in Thailand’s five southern border provinces in late October or early November. –VNA