Encouraging greater cross-border trade and investments will help both Malaysia and Thailand in achieving US$30 billion (US$1 = RM4.29) worth of bilateral trade by 2018, said the National Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia (NCCIM).

Vice-President Datuk Liew Sew Yee said the Thailand Chamber of Commerce and Board of Trade (TCC/BOT) had submitted proposals to boost border trade, which accounted for over 60 per cent of the current trade between both countries.

He said they have proposed for a 24-hour custom operation at the border to facilitate movement of goods.

"Both countries should also improve facilities such as transportation and logistic infrastructure at the border to further improve trade. We will study these requests and speak to the government," he told reporters after a visit by a 60-member trade delegation from the chamber and the board here yesterday.

During the half-day visit, delegation members were briefed by NCCIM on investment opportunities in Malaysia and the local halal market including networking sessions.

Yee said trade with Thailand, the country's fifth largest trading partner, amounted to US$20.83 billion in 2016, and Malaysia-Thailand border trade accounted for over 60 per cent of this figure.

The border trade brings in an average of US$14.4 billion, annually, he said.

Thailand mainly exports petroleum, auto and computer parts, food products and electrical appliances to Malaysia while Malaysia's exports comprised crude petroleum, transport equipment, steel products, processed food and, chemicals and chemical products, said Yee.