On Wednesday, 23 June 2021, the IMT-GT Working Group for Agriculture and Agro-based Industry (WGAA) had successfully hold a virtual meeting to discuss on the potential collaboration with the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) on Reverse Linkage Programme. Together with CIMT, the meeting was chaired by Dr. Ade Candradijaya, Director for the Bureau of International Cooperation Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Indonesia also the standing Chairman of WGAA. The meeting was also attended  by Dr. Vanida Khumnirdpetch (Director of Bureau of Foreign Agricultural Affairs Office of the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, Kingdom of Thailand as Head of Delegation Thailand, Mr. Principle Asssistant Secretary, International Division, Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industries, Mr. Firdaus Dahlan, Director of Centre for IMT-GT Subregional Cooperation (CIMT) and members of WGAA. Mr. Aminuddin Mat Ariff, Regional Coordinator (Asia) for Reverse Linkage Programme, represented IsDB for the meeting.

This meeting had given IMT-GT a better view on how the Reverse Linkage Programme will help to boost the existing good working relationship among IMT-GT countries. It was a fruitful discussion in exploring the possibilities to further strengthen its sub-regional cooperation and cross-border trading in Agriculture and Agro-based Industry sectoral areas, with the assistance of Reverse Linkage Programme. With the IsDB substantiate knowledge and expertise, IMT-GT is looking forward to work and collaborate on the Reverse Linkage Programme in the near future.