On 28 February 2009 at 13.00 — 14.00 hrs. H. E. Abhisit Vejjajiva Prime Minister of Thailand together with 9 ASEAN Leaders and Dr. Surin Pitsuwan, the ASEAN Secretary-General, attended the ASEAN HOS/G Working Lunch with ABAC Leaders at Dusit Thani Hua Hin Hotel, Cha-am, Phetchaburi.
The Working Lunch with ABAC Leaders is held annually as a channel for ASEAN business leaders to exchange ideas and provide recommendations to ASEAN leaders on issues relating to regional economic activities. The participation of the private sector is necessary and important to ASEAN economic integration efforts.
During the discussion, the Thai Prime Minister expressed his recognition of a vital role of the private sector in creating an ASEAN Economic Community. The close cooperation between the private and public sector will help revive the region’s economy from the current global financial and economic slowdown as well as hasten the integration process.
Mr. Arin Jira, ABAC Chairman, reported to ASEAN leaders on the progress of ASEAN-BAC initiatives, such as customs facilitation for trade and investment activities through ASEAN Green Lane, promotion of ASEAN products under ASEAN brand, and the annual ASEAN Business Award given to businesses identified as the “Most Admired ASEAN Enterprise” in growth, employment, innovation, and corporate social responsibility.
In addition, ABAC Chairman also proposed to the ASEAN leaders to support their initiative on the establishment of an ASEAN JV (Joint Venture) company, which will capitalize on the comparative advantage of each ASEAN Member Country in the agricultural sector. They also suggested and pushed for capacity building in the SMEs sector and infrastructure building reasoning that it will be a strong foundation supporting economic activities once the economy is back on track.
Both ASEAN and ABAC Leaders agreed that the private sector, especially SMEs, should be more involved and receive benefits from the formation of an ASEAN Economic Community. The ASEAN Secretary-General was tasked as a direct channel in coordinating and involving the private sector in the ASEAN Economic Community building process.
For further information, please contact the Press Division, Department of Information, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Tel.02-6435170, Fax.02-6435169, E-mail: div0704@mfa.go.th