Neighbouring Countries Economic Development Cooperation Agency (NEDA) of Thailand extends support for Sri Lanka

During the discussion with Ambassador of Sri Lanka and Permanent Representative to the UNESCAP, C. A. Chaminda I. Colonne, the Vice President, Senior Col. Saranyu Viriyavejakul of the of the Neighbouring Countries Economic Development Cooperation Agency (NEDA) of Thailand agreed to enhance and expand NEDA’s cooperation with Sri Lanka on 15 th January 2024 at the NEDA of Thailand, Bangkok.

NEDA is a public organization established in 2005, under the purview of the Ministry of Finance of Thailand providing economic development cooperation in form of financial and technical assistance to its neighbouring countries namely Cambodia, Loas, Myanmar and Vietnam initially.

In 2013, Thai Cabinet agreed to expand NEDA’s cooperation to 03 more specific countries namely, Sri Lanka, Bhutan and Timor-Leste. However Sri Lanka is different from neighbouring of Thailand in many aspects. Additionally from that time until today, there are only cooperations in the form of technical assistance received by Sri Lanka from NEDA.

Therefore, both discussed on exchange of visits by the senior officials of the two countries to identify furthering of areas of future cooperation and also providing NEDA’s assistance for the establishment of the Public Debt Management Office (PDMO) in Sri Lanka.

Director of Project Operation and Management Bureau, Hataitat Mahasukon, Director of Policy and Planning Bureau, Rapipat Promnart, Senior Project Analyst, Napat Limaroon and Policy and Planning Analyst, Wasit Anuntavichien from NEDA and First Secretary (Commercial), Vireshika Bandara joined the discussion.

Embassy and Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka
Bangkok
19 th January 2024