Thailand prioritises sustainable, balanced and inclusive development in APEC 2022
In the upcoming Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Chairmanship Year 2022, Thailand will focus on promoting sustainable, balanced and inclusive development across the socio-economic and environmental aspects that can be enjoyed by all.
Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha (Photo: AFP/VNA)
Bangkok (VNA) – In the upcoming Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation(APEC) Chairmanship Year 2022, Thailand will focus on promoting sustainable,balanced and inclusive development across the socio-economic and environmental aspectsthat can be enjoyed by all.
Thailand will officially assume this position, handed overby New Zealand on November 12.
Recently, Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha had adiscussion with his New Zealand counterpart Jacinda Ardern on the hand-over andThailand’s priorities in the next 365 days.
With the theme “Open-Connect-Balance”, the Thai Government wantsto use the opportunity to create “a new chapter” in Thailand’s economicdevelopment in the post-COVID-19 world that is sustainable and balanced.
The first principle is “open” which means open to all opportunitiesand, as such, the APEC members should be open to free trade agreements thatwould facilitate trade and investment with a people-centred approach.
The second principle is “connect” which has a pretty broadscope and the Thai chair envisages the connectivity of all three elements oftime, space and people as a means to foster economic recovery for the region aswell as for the rest of the world in sustainable ways.
The third principle is “balance” and in this Thailand seeksto promote balanced growth and development in an inclusive way.
The three principles also relate well with the country’s neweconomic model, known as the Bio-Circular-Green Economy, or BCG./.
The Vietnamese Ministry of Industry and Trade has coordinated with the APEC Secretariat to organise a workshop on building APEC capacity in promoting the digital economy, which opened on October 21 via videoconference.
President Nguyen Xuan Phuc will attend the 28th APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting from November 11-12 at the invitation of New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern.
The Ministry of International Trade & Industry of Malaysia (MITI) has called for stronger cooperation among member economies of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum to ensure sustainable and inclusive recovery.
The economy of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) region is forecast to grow by 6 percent this year and will settle at 4.9 percent in 2022, in anticipation of the unwinding of fiscal and monetary support measures, says a newly published report on economic trends in the Asia-Pacific.
Featuring a permanent exhibition area, the ASEAN Hall will function both as a cultural showcase and as a dynamic venue for ASEAN-related events and programmes. Its inauguration on ASEAN Day added symbolic weight, marking a fresh milestone in ASEAN–RoK relations.
Thailand’s Ministry of Commerce and rice exporters are devising strategic plans to boost rice exports amid global market fluctuations, focusing on key markets and adjusting output.
The focus of the upcoming ASEAN Summit in October will be on strengthening economic relations through intra-regional trade and investment, as well as regional initiatives on energy networks and connectivity.
Indonesian Ambassador Rina P. Soemarno, who currently serves as Chair of the ASEAN Committee in Prague, emphasised the spirit of regional solidarity and cooperation, and the importance of enhancing ASEAN–Czech Republic relations.
The Indonesian Government is determined to seize opportunities to enhance the competitiveness of national agricultural products, an official has said, adding that it always strives to promote exports at the highest possible level, based on a mutually beneficial foundation.
Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira has outlined a six-point strategy to promote innovation, support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and push for Thailand's removal from the US Trade Representative (USTR)’s special 301 Watch List regarding intellectual property rights protection among trading partners.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Israel Ly Duc Trung emphasised ASEAN’s central role in regional mechanisms such as the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) and the East Asia Summit (EAS), highlighting its significant contribution to promoting peace, stability, and prosperity in Southeast Asia.
The consumer index of the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC), fell to 51.7 in July from 52.7 in the previous month. The sluggish economy and the trade war, as well as high living costs, continue to undermine confidence, the university said.
Deputy Speaker of the Hungarian National Assembly Istvan Jakab expressed his hope for further deepening Hungary’s ties with ASEAN countries and called for their support for Hungary’s accession to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia.
The 30-storey tower crumbled seconds after a 7.7-magnitude earthquake hit neighbouring Myanmar on March 28. The partially built high-rise, meant to house the State Audit Office (SAO), was the only building in Thailand to collapse, killing 89 people on the site, mostly construction workers.
Indonesia’s waste generation is projected to exceed 50 million tonnes in 2025. Of the total, more than 20 million tonnes could potentially enter the ocean through rivers, coastal areas, small islands, ports, and marine activities, and thereby, pose a risk to coastal ecosystems and marine biota.
Indonesia is accelerating plans to increase lithium imports, particularly from Australia, in a bid to fill gaps in the electric vehicle (EV) battery supply chain and realise its ambition of becoming a global EV manufacturing hub.
Malaysia’s gross expenditure on R&D (GERD) reached 1.01% of gross domestic product in 2022, a notable increase, with more than 51% contributed by the industry sector. The country is targeting GERD to reach 2.5% by 2030, in line with the national goal of transforming into a high-technology nation.
The facility was established in response to a growing shift in the Filipino labour force from the Middle East to Japan, where workers are seeking safer working environments.
In the latest Indonesia-US trade agreement in July, the US administration agreed to reduce the reciprocal tariff, which was initially set at 32% by US President Donald Trump last April, to 19%.
Real estate agency ERA Singapore estimated that there are 2,703 condo developments in Singapore today, of which 836 or 31% are at least 30 years old. In 10 years, this number is expected to climb to 1,160, assuming none is sold en bloc.
The new framework is designed to ensure that incoming investments deliver tangible national benefits, such as the creation of high-quality jobs for Malaysians and the development of local company ecosystems and technologies.
Singapore led with a total of 8.8 billion USD in realised investment, followed by Hong Kong and mainland China, Malaysia, and Japan with 8 billion USD, 1.7 billion USD and 1.6 billion USD, respectively.
Thai Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai on August 7 outlined his strategy for tackling drug problems in Thailand, aiming for a "Zero Drugs Thailand" within three months.
The US has described Malaysia's role as Chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) as vital in helping ease tension between Thailand and Cambodia.
Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha (Photo: AFP/VNA) 
