IMT-GT VISION 2036
“A Shared Vision for an Integrated, Innovative, Inclusive, and Sustainable Subregion by 2036.”
IMT-GT’s Vision 2036 sets out a long-term strategy to build a subregion that is economically integrated, innovative, inclusive, and sustainable. With people at the heart of all development efforts, the vision seeks to promote balanced growth, strengthen regional economic links, and conserve natural resources for the benefit of present and future generations.
The twenty-year vision allows IMT-GT to pursue bold and transformative strategies that address structural challenges, strengthen its industrial base, and enhance competitiveness. As one of Southeast Asia’s more advanced subregional groupings, IMT-GT aims to set the pace for future ASEAN Economic Community building process.
Integrated
Seamless movement of goods, services, capital, and skilled people within the subregion, supported by interconnected trade and production networks. MSMEs and social enterprises play an active role in regional and global value chains.
Innovative
A knowledge-based economy that drives productivity and competitiveness through science, technology, and human resource development.
Inclusive
Equal access to opportunities for all, with reduced development gaps across the subregion, ensuring that communities and MSMEs share in the benefits of growth.
Sustainable
Environmentally sustainable growth supported by sustainable production and consumption, and responsible management and conservation of natural resources and biodiversity.
Target Group
Guiding Framework
The Vision 2036 Guiding Framework illustrates IMT-GT’s strategic alignment between its vision, goals, approaches, and implementation mechanisms.
Objectives
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Three Priority Goals
To achieve Vision 2036, IMT-GT focuses on three priority goals that reflect the subregion’s key strengths and opportunities: A sustainable, inclusive, and innovative agriculture sector A competitive, innovative, and advanced industrial base A sustainable, inclusive, and competitive cross-border tourism sector
Three Guiding Approaches
IMT-GT adopts three mutually reinforcing approaches to drive progress: Project-centric approach toward greater regional integration Project-specific and location-specific regulatory reforms (joint debottlenecking effort) Spatial approach to regional development
MAINSTREAMING PRIVATE SECTOR AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS
IMT-GT places the private sector and local governments at the centre of its efforts to accelerate subregional economic and social development. As key drivers and beneficiaries of IMT-GT initiatives, their active participation ensures that projects remain relevant, inclusive, and impactful.
At the project level, IMT-GT adopts a bottom-up approach, encouraging project ideas and proposals from businesses and local governments to address real needs on the ground. Institutionally, IMT-GT is strengthening the Joint Business Council (JBC) by formalising its structure to enhance policy advocacy, expand membership, and improve collaboration with regional and international partners.
To further empower local governments, IMT-GT is introducing measures to improve communication channels, establish subnational secretariats as in-country focal points, and deliver targeted capacity-building programmes. These initiatives aim to equip local authorities with the knowledge, skills, and tools needed to advocate effectively, manage projects, and drive bottom-up development across the subregion.
This inclusive approach ensures that IMT-GT’s growth remains people-centred, locally driven, and regionally connected.
SUPPORTED BY SEVEN STRATEGIC PILLARS
Vision 2036 is supported by seven strategic pillars that drive cooperation and create a balanced foundation for growth.
Lead Focus Areas
- Agriculture and Agro-based Industry
- Tourism
- Halal Products and Services
Enablers
- Transport and ICT Connectivity
- Trade and Investment Facilitation
- Environment
- Human Resource Development, Education, and Culture
IMT-GT’s cooperation and integration efforts over the next two decades are driven by three Lead Focus Areas: Agriculture and Agro-based Industry, Tourism, and Halal Products and Services. These sectors were identified through a comprehensive review of the IMT-GT Strategy, recognising the subregion’s unique comparative and competitive advantages.
Supporting these are five Enablers: Transport and ICT Connectivity, Trade and Investment Facilitation, Environment, Human Resource Development and Education and Culture.
Together, they create the enabling conditions for growth by enhancing connectivity, improving policy coordination, and addressing regulatory and technical barriers to cross-border trade, investment, and mobility.
IMT-GT has a strong institutional structure that brings together leaders, governments, and partners to ensure that Vision 2036 is effectively implemented across the subregion.
The IMT-GT institutional framework ensures coordination from policy to implementation through the Leaders’ Summit, Ministerial Meeting, Chief Ministers and Governors’ Forum, Senior Officials’ Meeting, National Secretariats, and Working Groups. CIMT acts as the subregional secretariat, coordinating efforts and ensuring progress across all focus areas.
Partnerships are central to IMT-GT’s success. Close cooperation with the ASEAN Secretariat ensures that IMT-GT’s strategies complement ASEAN’s priorities. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) continues to play a key role as IMT-GT’s Regional Development Partner and Advisor, providing technical expertise and support. IMT-GT also seeks new partnerships with institutions and development organisations to further strengthen the implementation of Vision 2036.
IMT-GT is strengthening its communication efforts to raise awareness of Vision 2036 among stakeholders and communities. The aim is to foster ownership, highlight opportunities, and inspire participation across all levels. A clear and strategic communication plan ensures that Vision 2036’s goals and benefits are widely understood and shared.
Vision 2036 is realised through a series of five-year Implementation Blueprints (IBs), each serving as a roadmap that translates long-term goals into concrete programmes and measurable actions across the IMT-GT subregion.
The four phases of the blueprint are:
- Implementation Blueprint I (2017–2021)
- Implementation Blueprint II (2022–2026) (Current)
- Implementation Blueprint III (2027–2031)
- Implementation Blueprint IV (2032–2036)
Each phase builds on the progress of the previous one, ensuring continuity, adaptability, and sustained impact. The blueprints are supported by Project Portfolios and Showcase Projects, which outline key initiatives, their implementation processes, and expected outcomes.
Centre for IMT-GT Subregional Cooperation (CIMT)
Office 3A, Level 3, Block C, Menara PjH, Precinct 2, 62100, Putrajaya, Malaysia
Indonesia Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs (CMEA)
Malaysia
Ministry of Economy
Thailand Office of the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC)
