Latest news with #TwinCity
The Star
2 days ago
- Business
- The Star
Uplifting cross-border livelihoods
KUALA LUMPUR: Closer cooperation between Thailand and Malaysia has continued to uplift livelihoods in Thailand's southern border region through poverty alleviation programmes, infrastructure improvements and cross-border community initiatives. The Southern Border Provinces Administrative Centre (SBPAC) is spearheading these efforts in collaboration with Malaysian agencies, targeting development in Yala, Pattani, Narathiwat, Songkhla and Satun, areas affected by unrest and limited economic opportunities. SBPAC secretary-general Pol Lt-Col Wannapong Kotcharak said the collaboration aligns with the shared goals of both nations to uplift communities, strengthen local economies and foster long-term peace through grassroots development initiatives. 'Our main responsibility is to ensure people in this region can lead better, more secure lives. 'We are committed to doing everything possible to improve their livelihoods,' he told Bernama in an exclusive interview at the SBPAC headquarters in Yala recently. According to Wannapong, several key infrastructure projects have been carried out in partnership with Malaysia. This includes efforts to modernise the Sadao checkpoint to meet the standards of Bukit Kayu Hitam, as well as the construction of a second bridge linking Sungai Golok and Rantau Panjang in Kelantan to enhance cross-border trade and mobility. He said the two countries had also launched a Twin City programme last year to enhance cooperation between five southern provinces in Thailand and five northern states in Malaysia, namely Narathiwat with Kelantan, Songkhla with Kedah, Yala with Perak, Satun with Perlis, and Pattani with Terengganu. 'This is one of our most important strategies. The twin city programme focuses on education, social development, tourism and halal food industries... all relevant to our regions' cultures and economies,' Wannapong said. He also said educational and skills development programmes, including a shared curriculum, have been designed to improve vocational training and job opportunities, especially for border-area youth, as both countries share cultural identity and common aspirations. 'That's why the (Thai) government is working closely with Malaysia to find more ways of collaboration. 'Recently, we visited Penang and held activities. Our strategy is to use tourism, education and community development to bring our people closer,' he said. According to Thailand's 2019 Targeted People Development Database, there were 52,117 poor households comprising 107,356 people in the five southern provinces of Yala, Pattani, Narathiwat, Satun and Songkhla. SBPAC has now implemented the second phase of its development plan (2024-2027), based on the royal initiative 'Understand, Access, Develop' and the sufficiency economy model, aimed at improving living standards in the region. Meanwhile, the re-establishment of the Advisory Council for the Administration and Development to SBPAC this year reflects the Thai government's commitment to prioritising the people in the development process in the southern region. Its chairman Dr Khodari Sen said the council, which consists of 49 members from various professional backgrounds in the five regions, has been reactivated after being dissolved in 2014. 'This council is not an NGO but a government agency that gives the people an opportunity to raise their problems directly without having to go through government channels,' he said. Khodari said that any development initiatives in southern Thailand involving cooperation with Malaysia must first secure approval from the advisory council to ensure they align with the needs and priorities of the local community. He added that the strength of ties between both countries lies in their shared culture, halal industries, Islamic education system and local economic activities, which continue to promote prosperity and mutual benefit for the people of both nations.
Barnama
3 days ago
- Business
- Barnama
Thai-Malaysia Cooperation Boosts Livelihood In Southern Border Provinces
By Noraizura Ahmad KUALA LUMPUR, July 13 (Bernama) -- Closer cooperation between Thailand and Malaysia continues to uplift livelihoods in Thailand's southern border region through poverty alleviation programmes, infrastructure improvements and cross-border community initiatives. The Southern Border Provinces Administrative Centre (SBPAC) is spearheading these efforts in collaboration with Malaysian agencies, targeting development in Yala, Pattani, Narathiwat, Songkhla and Satun, areas historically affected by unrest and limited economic opportunities. bootstrap slideshow SBPAC Secretary-General Pol. Lt. Col. Wannapong Kotcharak said the collaboration aligns with the shared goals of both nations to uplift communities, strengthen local economies, and foster long-term peace through grassroots development initiatives. 'Our main responsibility is to ensure that people in this region can lead better, more secure lives. We are committed to doing everything possible to improve their livelihoods,' he told Bernama in an exclusive interview at the SBPAC Headquarters in Yala, recently. According to Wannapong, several key infrastructure projects have been carried out in partnership with Malaysia, including efforts to modernise the Sadao checkpoint to meet the standards of Bukit Kayu Hitam, as well as the construction of a second bridge linking Sungai Golok and Rantau Panjang in Kelantan to enhance cross-border trade and mobility. He said the two countries had also launched a Twin City programme last year to enhance cooperation between five southern provinces in Thailand and five northern states in Malaysia, namely Narathiwat with Kelantan, Songkhla with Kedah, Yala with Perak, Satun with Perlis, and Pattani with Terengganu. "This is one of our most important strategies. The twin city programme focuses on education, social development, tourism and halal food industries... all relevant to our regions' cultures and economies," he said. He said educational and skills development programmes, including a shared curriculum, have been designed to improve vocational training and job opportunities, especially for border-area youth, as both countries share cultural identity and common aspirations.
The Sun
3 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
Thailand-Malaysia partnership boosts southern border livelihoods
KUALA LUMPUR: Closer collaboration between Thailand and Malaysia is transforming lives in Thailand's southern border provinces through targeted poverty alleviation, infrastructure upgrades, and community-driven initiatives. The Southern Border Provinces Administrative Centre (SBPAC) leads these efforts alongside Malaysian agencies, focusing on Yala, Pattani, Narathiwat, Songkhla, and Satun—regions historically impacted by economic challenges and instability. SBPAC Secretary-General Pol. Lt. Col. Wannapong Kotcharak emphasised the shared commitment to uplifting communities and fostering peace through grassroots development. 'Our main responsibility is to ensure that people in this region can lead better, more secure lives. We are committed to doing everything possible to improve their livelihoods,' he told Bernama. Key projects include modernising the Sadao checkpoint to match Bukit Kayu Hitam's standards and constructing a second bridge between Sungai Golok and Rantau Panjang to boost trade and mobility. The Twin City programme, linking five Thai provinces with five Malaysian states, further strengthens ties in education, tourism, and halal industries. Thailand's 2019 Targeted People Development Database revealed over 107,000 people in the region living in poverty. SBPAC's second-phase development plan (2024-2027) aims to benefit 13,601 households through farming, fisheries, and small business initiatives. The revived Advisory Council for the Administration and Development, chaired by Dr Khodari Sen, ensures community needs guide development. 'The people are more comfortable dealing with us than government agencies. We want to prove that this council truly belongs to them,' he said. Seven specialised teams oversee policy implementation, prioritising justice, education, and economic empowerment. Cross-border projects require council approval to align with local priorities, reinforcing the strong cultural and economic bonds between Thailand and Malaysia. - Bernama
Time of India
3 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Indore likely to mentor other cities in Swachhta under GoI's new policy
Indore: Ranked consistently for seven years as India's cleanest city, Indore may soon take on the responsibility of mentoring another urban centre to improve its cleanliness ranking. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The central govt was reportedly considering a "Twin Cities" concept, where leading performers like Indore would guide cities struggling with sanitation. "Indore was the country's cleanest city seven times in a row, and now, the central govt is thinking of bringing changes in its policy," said MP urban administration minister Kailash Vijayvargiya while addressing the 'MP Growth Conclave' on Friday. He added that there was a proposal to assign Indore the responsibility of another town as a 'Twin City.' "If Indore manages to clean that city, it will receive the award," he stated, attributing this potential policy shift directly to Indore's consistent success. Sources said while this "Twin Cities" proposal was still in its nascent stages, it could be a topic of discussion at a meeting of central and state ministers scheduled for July 18. This meeting was set to take place just a day after the 'Swachh Survekshan Award Ceremony' for 2024-25, where the winners were to be announced and felicitated. The sources revealed that Indore was currently leading in the newly introduced 'Super Swachh League' (SSL), securing higher marks in competition with Surat and Navi Mumbai. The official announcement of these rankings was expected on July 17. The Indore Municipal Corporation had already received an invitation for the award ceremony, and a delegation of approximately ten members was expected to attend the event. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Beyond the SSL cities recognised for extraordinary performance in Swachhata, the top three cities in each population category would also receive President's Awards. Additionally, ministerial awards were to be presented in special categories such as Ganga Towns, Cantonment Boards, SafaiMitra Suraksha, and MahaKumbh, along with State Level Awards for promising clean cities within each State/UT.
Yahoo
24-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Twin City Issues Report Exploring the Impact of AI on the Digital Landscape
The Digital Attention Crisis: Navigating AI's Influence Minneapolis, Saint Paul , March 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- a leader in connecting communities within the Minneapolis and Saint Paul area, today released a report that delves into the profound impact of AI on the digital landscape. As AI-powered algorithms increasingly dictate online behavior, businesses and individuals face unprecedented challenges in maintaining control over their digital presence. The report is available today via the Twin City Digital Attention Crisis The report highlights the dramatic rise in digital consumption, with doom scrolling increasing by 40% since 2023. Users now spend over seven hours daily engaging with AI-curated content, a trend that raises significant concerns about mental health and social media addiction. The American Psychological Association reports that social media addiction rates are now comparable to traditional substance abuse metrics. The report shows that AI's role in manipulating user engagement is evident, as platforms employ real-time dopamine feedback loops to keep users engaged longer. This manipulation extends to search engines, where AI-driven results prioritize AI-optimized content, reshaping traditional SEO strategies. "The digital landscape is evolving rapidly, and it's crucial for businesses and individuals to understand the implications of AI-driven content curation," says Clayton Johnson, CEO of "We must advocate for transparency and ethical AI use to regain control over our digital interactions." As awareness of AI's influence grows, cultural leaders and digital professionals are pushing back against algorithmic control. Literature and media, such as "The Age of Surveillance Capitalism" and "The Social Dilemma," have sparked conversations about AI's role in shaping digital behavior. Meanwhile, music and digital art projects like HyperPrompt's "Attention Economy" highlight the dangers of algorithmic addiction. Leaders face the dual challenge of protecting human-centric values while harnessing AI's potential for growth. As AI reshapes the digital landscape, enterprises must strike a careful balance—leveraging advanced technologies to drive efficiency, personalization, and competitive advantage, without sacrificing user trust and ethical responsibility. The report urges forward-thinking companies to proactively align their marketing and content strategies with the evolving, AI-first environment stand to dominate their industries. By emphasizing transparency, responsible policy use, and genuine user empowerment, these organizations will not only differentiate themselves but also establish lasting connections built on authenticity and integrity. Twin City's report states that now is the moment for businesses to step forward as champions of responsible innovation. By embracing AI-driven tools ethically and strategically, enterprises can reclaim control over digital experiences, ensuring technology empowers and enhances human potential rather than diminishing it. The goal of the report is to show that the future belongs to those who use AI to elevate human interactions, foster meaningful engagement, and build sustainable, trusted relationships with customers and communities alike. Read the full report on the Twin City City MarketingAbout Twin City Discover the best of the Twin Cities. Whether you live here or are new to Minneapolis and Saint Paul seven county area, you can find everything you need to connect and succeed. Press inquiries Twin City Clayton Johnsonclayton@ 2585 Hamline Ave N #CRoseville, MN 55113 Sign in to access your portfolio
