The cabinet met on November 6, 2019 at the Government House. Some of the resolutions are as follows:
The cabinet acknowledged Office of Economic and Social Development Board’s proposal on the Ranking of Thailand in World Economic Forum (WEF) Competitiveness Report (2019-2020). Gist is as follows: Top 3 remains the same, that is, Singapore, the US, and Hong Kong, respectively. Thailand dropped 2 notches from 38th in 2018 to 40th this year. However the country’s score has increased from 67.5 to 68.1. This indicates that Thailand has made a little progress, though not so apparent as other countries of the similar level.Thailand fared best on macro-economic stability (scored 90 out of 100), financial system (85 out of 100), and business dynamism (72 out of 100).Key index components that have been considerably improved are: ICT adoption (up 2 notches), and budget transparency (up 25 notches).Key index components that need further improvement are Innovation capability, and research and development.
The cabinet acknowledged the ranking of Thailand on World Bank’s 2020 Ease of Doing Business Index as proposed by Office of the Public Sector Development Commission (OPDC). Gist is as follows: Out of 190 economies being evaluated, Thailand ranks 21 on World Bank’s 2020 Ease of Doing Business Index, leaping 6 notches with the score 80.10, highest in 10 years.Thailand ranks among the top 10 in 2 aspects: 1) Protecting minority investors (3rd) and 2) Getting electricity (6th).
The cabinet approved the draft MOU on Mekong – Lancang Cooperation (MLC) Special Fund, ad authorized Permanent Secretary to Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation as signatory of the MOU. Should there be an amendment in parts that are not gist nor against the cabinet’s approval, Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation is to proceed and inform the cabinet later of the change.
Signing of the MOU between Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation and Embassy of People’s Republic of China will take place in December 2019.
The MOU stipulates China’s approval and provision of budget for 2 projects under Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (Khon Kaen University) for the total amount of RMB4,160,000 (approx.. 17,721,600 Baht): 1) Early detection of Unsafe Food by risk project (RMB310,000), and 2) Mekong Liver Fluke Control Initiative project (RMB3,850,000)
The cabinet approved request for review of cabinet resolution on May 9, 2017 on Memorandum of Arrangement on Cooperation and Exchanges in the Field of Defense between the Ministry of Defense of Thailand and the Ministry of Defense of Japan. Based on the review, an amendment is made to authorize “Deputy Prime Minister or Minister of Defense or a representative”, instead of “Minister of Defense”, as signatory of the MOU. This is as proposed by Ministry of Defense.
The MOU is scheduled to be signed during Japanese Defense Minister’s official visit to Thailand to attend ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting – Plus (ADMM – Plus) during November 16-19, 2019. Deputy Prime Minister (Gen. PRawit Wongsuwon) is delegated by the Prime Minister and Defense Minister to preside over the meeting, and to sign the MOU.
Source: Cabinet Meeting (Prayut Chan-o-cha) November 06, 2019