BANGKOK, 10 November 2014 – Thailand is to address the inclusiveness of the FTA agreement in the APEC summit, while pressing for guidelines of agricultural product development at the ASEAN summit, said an official.
The Director-General of the Department of International Economic Affairs (DIEA) Chutintorn Gongsakdi has said in the national televised program about the 22nd Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit that the Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has led Thai officials to attend in Beijing, China.
He said that the APEC summit is a crucial meeting with participants from 21 economic zones around the world. The APEC covers 47 percent of the global trade and aims to enhance the economic cooperation with highlight features through voluntary partnership.
The APEC members aim for a goal of creating a free trade zone for developing countries within the year 2020, which is after the integration of the ASEAN community.
For the 25th anniversary of APEC, China has purposed the Asia-Pacific free trade agreement to be established within 2025. For this topic, Thailand will make a point that any free trade agreement must be inclusive to all sectors and to help diminish inequality, with all countries benefiting from it.
The Prime Minister will emphasize on this mutual development plan in parallel with free trade agreements, said the DIEA director-general.
Meanwhile, the Director-General of the Department of ASEAN Affairs (DAA) Attayut Srisamut spoke about the 25th ASEAN summit, which will be held from 9-11 November 2014 at Naypyidaw, Myanmar.
He said that this is a very important meeting ahead of the ASEAN community integration next year. This meeting brings ASEAN leaders and leaders of five economic superpowers together to promote cooperation in various aspects.
According to the DAA director-general, the Prime Minister will meet with ASEAN country leaders and will emphasize on support and enhancement of agricultural product values, which will raise the competitiveness of the main profession in ASEAN.
The Prime Minister’s attendance of both the APEC and ASEAN summit will be essential for a broader cooperation agenda for Thailand and ASEAN member countries.
