Thailand: APEC 24 – an opportunity to foster trade liberalization

Deputy Prime Minister Prajin Juntong - Head of Thai Delegation to APEC meetings (Photo: thaivisa.com)

Bangkok (VNA) – Thailand attaches high importance to the APEC meeting this year, considering it a platform for the country to voice its support to trade and investment liberalisation, according to a press release by the Thai Foreign Ministry.

The trade and investment liberalisation includes the realisation of the Free Trade Agreement of the Asia-Pacific (FTAAP) and APEC Services Competitiveness Roadmap (2016-20025), which are key to achieve the Bogor Goals on free trade and investment in APEC.

Themed “Quality Growth and Human Development”, APEC 2016 prioritises four areas of discussions including advancing regional economic integration and quality growth, enhancing the regional food market, towards the modernisation of medium, small and micro enterprises (MSMEs) in the Asia-Pacific and developing human capital.

The theme and priorities this year have allowed Thailand to take lead in boosting development issues such as food security, climate change, rural development, sustainable water management and human capacity development.

They are also issues the Southeast Asian country has given priority in capacity of the Chairman of Group 77 as well as at other international forums such as G20 Summit, the 2nd ACD Summit, ACMECS Summit, ASEAN and OECD.

The Thai delegation, led by Deputy Prime Minister Prajin Juntong, will participate in the 24th APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting from November 19-20 in Lima, Peru.-VNA