On 21 September 2009, Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya, who is part of the Thai Delegation led by Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to the 64th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, joined the Prime Minister’s activities in the “Thailand: Investing From Strength to Strength” campaign with major US financial investors and traders in New York.
During the working luncheon with the US financial investors, the Prime Minister said that since the current government’s assumption of office 9 months ago, it has had to deal with the “twin challenges” of the global economic crisis and domestic political conflict. The Prime Minister was confident that Thailand is on track to economic recovery, sustainable growth and development, political reconciliation and further democratic development. With the success of the first economic stimulus package (USD 8.6 billion) to sustain purchasing power and stimulate consumption, the government has started the second stimulus package (a three-year programme in the amount of USD 45 billion) to address shortcomings in physical and social infrastructure in such key areas as water resources management, communications, education, healthcare and service sector. He also encouraged the US financial investors to explore the potential and opportunities of ASEAN which will become an Economic Community by the year 2015. As for the domestic political front, the government adheres to the principles of democracy and good governance, accountability, transparency, respect for justice and rule of law.
During the working dinner with the major US traders, the Prime Minister expressed his appreciation for the close and cordial long-standing relationship between Thailand and the US. The American traders have always enjoyed doing their businesses with the Kingdom. With the current new global landscape, many Asian countries’ economies e.g. china, India and the Middle East are very strong, while ASEAN is also attracting attention for its upcoming Economic Community and FTAs with major trade partners. As for Thailand, the government has started implementing the second stimulus package to strengthen the country’s competitiveness. The said measures provided business opportunities for foreign investors. The Prime Minister encouraged the US businessmen to utilize “One-Start-One-Stop” which will be established soon to facilitate foreign investment in Thailand. He also hoped that the US investors would consider setting up their regional operating headquarters in Thailand.
Earlier in the morning, Foreign Minister Kasit met with Mr. Kurt Campbell, Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs. Both sides exchanged views on the political situation in Thailand, the strategic dialogue between Thailand and the US which is scheduled for the end of this year, and developments in ASEAN, particularly democracy-building process in Myanmar.
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