The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has reaffirmed its support for the Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand Growth Triangle (IMT-GT), positioning regional connectivity, sustainable development and cross-border economic integration as priorities for the next phase of cooperation across the three countries.
“As the region’s main bank, ADB remains committed to supporting ASEAN and its subregional cooperation programs, including IMT-GT, in advancing connectivity, sustainability, resilience, and economic opportunity,” said Nianshan Zhang, Director General of ADB’s Southeast Asia Department, at the 32nd IMT-GT Ministerial Meeting.
In a joint ministerial statement, Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand welcomed ADB’s continued role as IMT-GT’s regional development partner and recognised its broader role in ASEAN. The ministers highlighted ADB’s financial and technical support across green cities, tourism, economic corridors and zones, institutional strengthening and project management.
The meeting comes as IMT-GT prepares to enter a new implementation cycle. ADB commended the preparation of the group’s Implementation Blueprint 2027–2031, which places greater emphasis on economic resilience, integrated networks and shared prosperity. The development bank supported preparation of the blueprint and said it is ready to assist with implementation, including project identification and financing mobilisation.
ADB’s involvement in IMT-GT has already built a substantial portfolio across the subregion. As of August 2026, ADB-supported initiatives benefiting IMT-GT areas were valued at more than $3.7 billion, spanning transport, energy, agriculture, education, health, water, urban services, finance and trade.
The portfolio includes 23 sovereign loans and grants totalling almost $2.7 billion, alongside eight private-sector investments worth about $805 million in energy and information and communication technology. ADB has also provided 40 technical assistance initiatives valued at more than $24 million.
The scale and breadth of the portfolio underline the increasingly integrated nature of IMT-GT’s development agenda, where infrastructure investment is being combined with private-sector participation, institutional capacity building and initiatives aimed at strengthening regional economic links.
With the 2027–2031 blueprint now taking shape, ADB’s role is expected to extend beyond project financing towards helping the three countries translate regional priorities into investable projects and mobilise capital for implementation. The focus on connectivity, resilience and integrated networks also reflects the growing importance of subregional platforms in supporting more diversified and sustainable economic growth across Southeast Asia.
