The Cabinet meeting on Tuesday, April 11, 2017
The cabinet approved draft Act for Special Economic Zones in Eastern Provinces of Thailand, paving the way for their establishment in the 3 main provinces of the Eastern Economic Corridor, namely Cha-Cherng-Sao, Chonburi and Rayong.
The Special Economic Zones act will cover the appointment of management and planning committees, land management, infrastructure development, government one stop service centers, city and town planning, concessions, and investment promotion in high-tech environmentally friendly industries.
The Cabinet agreed to the proposals made by Deputy Prime Minister ACM Prajin Juntong, in his capacity as Chair of the National Organic Development Board, as follows:
1. Agreed to the (Draft) National Strategy on Development of Organic Agriculture B.E. 2560 – 2564
2. Agreed to the inclusion of a representative from Department of Agriculture as member and assistant secretary of the National Organic Development Board.
(Draft) National Strategy on Development of Organic Agriculture B.E. 2560 – 2564 aims to increase the area and volume of organic agricultural production in a bid to enhance trade and consumption of organic products in the country, as well as to ensure that organic products are up to standard, and to promote Thailand as hub of world's organic agricultural products and services.
The National Strategy consists of 4 strategies: 1) to promote research, knowledge and innovation in organic agriculture; 2) to develop organic products and services; 3) to develop marketing and certification of organic farming standards; and 4) to mobilize organic farming.
Aside from a newly-appointed representative of the Department of Agriculture, other 3 current board members arerepresentatives of the Department of Land Development, National Bureau of Agricultural Commodity and Food Standards, and the Office of Agricultural Economics.
The Cabinet agreed and approved proposals made by Ministry of Tourism and Sports as follows:
1. Agreed on the draft Memorandum of Understanding on Tourism Cooperation between the Government of the Kingdom of Thailand and the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Should there be any amendment, if not effecting gist of the document or against the benefits of Thailand or principles approved by the Cabinet, Ministry of Tourism and Sports is authorized to proceed and inform the Cabinet accordingly.
2. Minister of Tourism and Sports or her representative is authorized as signatory.
3. Ministry of Foreign Affairs is to issue Full Powers to the aforementioned signatory.
Gist of the Draft MOU is to strengthen existing relations between the two countries and to expand bilateral tourism cooperation in information-sharing, eco-tourism, investment, capacity building, and the enhancement of marketing and public relations strategies.
The Cabinet agreed to the proposal for Thailand to host the 4th UNWTO World Forum on Gastronomy Tourism in 2018 as proposed by Ministry of Tourism and Sports
Ministry of Tourism and Sports reported that as Thailand is renowned for being a top global tourist destination and world culinary hub, it is a good opportunity for the country to showcase its kitchen to the world, and to welcoming our international friends to this major event next year.
The Cabinet agreed to the proposals made by Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment as follows:
1. Agreed to the signing of grant agreement with Global Environment Facility (GEF) under Achieving Low Carbon Growth in Cities through Sustainable Urban Systems Management in Thailand Project.
2. Director of Thailand Greenhouse Gas Management Organization is authorized as signatory on behalf of Thailand
3. Thailand Greenhouse Gas Management Organization is authorized as Implementing Agency
Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment reported that Thailand Greenhouse Gas Management Organization has collaborated with United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to develop a proposal on “Achieving Low Carbon Growth in Cities through Sustainable Urban Management Systems in Thailand Project” for funding from the Global Environment Facility (GEF). Objective of the project is to promote sustainable development of low carbon city in 4 pilot cities in Thailand: Nakhon RatchasimaMunicipality, Khon Kaen Municipality, Samui Municipality, and Chiang Mai municipality. Project period is for 4 years, starting in the 2nd quarter of 2017 and ending in the same period of 2021.
The Cabinet agreed to the proposals made by Ministry of Labor as follows:
1. Approved the draft Colombo Declaration
2. Minister of Labor is authorized as signatory of the Colombo Declaration
The draft Declaration concerns adoption of similar practices to implement cross-border labor policies. Four main cooperation are 1) labor employment, 2) development and certification of labor skills, 3) use of technology to facilitate and attain achievement of Asia’slabor migration, and 4) Revision of implementation to be in accordance with UN Global Compact on safe, orderly and regular migration.
--Cabinet Meeting (Prayut Chan-o-cha) April 11, 2017 --