Gyeongju: The Prime Minister joined APEC leaders in discussions with the APEC Business Advisory Council, highlighting Thailand's potential as a regional center for trade and investment. He proposed three key issues: maintaining market openness, driving sustainable growth, strengthening public-private partnerships, and building bridges of cooperation.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Anutin Charnvirakul, Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior, participated in the ABAC Dialogue with APEC Economic Leaders at the Hwabaek International Convention Center in Gyeongju, Republic of Korea. Representatives from ABAC from Chile, Brunei, China, and Malaysia participated in the dialogue to exchange ideas on promoting Thailand's economic potential and APEC's role in driving a sustainable and adaptable economy for future change. The session was titled "Thailand's Potential to Promote Trade, Investment, and Regional Connectivity."
The Prime Minister gave a statement proposing three approaches:
1. Enhancing Regional Connectivity: Thailand's location at the heart of Asia serves as a "bridge" connecting South Asia, East Asia, and ASEAN, strengthening its potential as a hub for trade, logistics, and investment. The government is investing in large-scale infrastructure projects, such as the Land Bridge project, which links the Indian and Pacific Oceans and creates new supply chain routes. Thailand has also played a key role in maintaining the continuity of international freight and travel during the COVID-19 pandemic through the APEC Safe Passage Corridor.
2. Investing in the Future: Under the Quick Big Win policy, which focuses on short-term actions for long-term results, Thailand promotes investment in future industries such as electric vehicles, semiconductors, biotechnology, and artificial intelligence, and supports women entrepreneurs and startups through capacity building programs and access to funding to ensure inclusive and equitable economic growth for all.
3. Driving Green and Sustainable Growth: Under the Bangkok Goals on the Bio-Circular-Green Economy, Thailand is a leader in promoting green industries, ESG-based investment, and responsible finance. The Prime Minister thanked the APEC Business Advisory Council for their commitment to support this approach.
The Prime Minister also stated that Thailand offers tax incentives to promote investment in clean energy, high-value petrochemical industries, and advanced technology industries. Furthermore, Thailand aims for membership in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development by 2030 to enhance governance standards, transparency, and closer cooperation with APEC member countries.
The Prime Minister emphasized that while the government sets the direction, it is the business sector that makes things happen. Therefore, collaboration with ABAC is crucial. He believes that by working together, the Asia-Pacific region can build connectivity, competitiveness, and sustainability for the benefit of people in every economic region.
He also proposed a path for APEC to take amid geopolitical challenges to build a sustainable, future-ready, and predictable region. APEC's strengths lie in its inclusiveness and non-binding nature of cooperation, which provides opportunities to experiment with new ideas, build trust, and transform potential into opportunities for cooperation. He suggested that APEC focus on maintaining market openness, driving sustainable growth, and strengthening public-private partnerships, especially during a period of rising protectionism and economic tensions. APEC should uphold multilateralism and rules-based free trade mechanisms to build business confidence and maintain economic stability. Large economies play a crucial role in leveraging their potential to build trust and foster cooperation, rather than creating divisions.
At the same time, APEC needs to prepare the region for the future by promoting green, digital, and inclusive growth, in line with the Putrajaya 2040 Vision and the Bangkok Goals, alongside investments in clean energy, digital transformation, and building resilient supply chains, supported by an ESG-aligned financial system. Collaboration with the private sector is crucial, and ABAC is expected to continue to play a constructive and supportive role.
The Prime Minister expressed his full support for China's hosting of APEC next year, believing it would enhance cooperation, stability, and new opportunities for the region.
"APEC works best when it builds bridges of cooperation, not walls of division. APEC has worked together to turn challenges into shared progress," the Prime Minister said.