Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has given assurances the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) summit being hosted in Bangkok next month will go off without a hitch with many leaders already having accepted their invitations to attend, said government spokesman Anucha Burapachaisri yesterday.
Mr Anucha briefed media after Gen Prayut chaired a meeting to prepare for the 29th Apec Economic Leaders' Week at Government House yesterday.
The spokesman said details of the plan for the government to host the Apec summit under the theme of "Open. Connect. Balance." had been finalised at the meeting.
Thailand's "Open" initiative involving the facilitation of trade and investments has received support from Apec member countries which favour a review of the Free Trade Area of the Asia- Pacific (FTAAP) agreement. The Ministers Responsible for Trade (MRT) Meeting also gave the green light for a draft to steer trade, which will be put up for further discussion.
Thailand will spearhead the effort to restore connected travel and tourism within the Apec region, and a database containing details of travellers' vaccine status will be established to help to achieve this, he said.
The initiative is also aimed at boosting the appeal of the Apec Business Travel Card (ABTC).
Finally, Thailand has also come up with a plan to create economic balance through the Bio-Circular-Green (BCG) Economy Model, aimed at creating more sustainable economic growth. The effort has reached the final phase of the plan, Mr Anucha said.
He added the premier is confident that this summit will go smoothly. Leaders from key economic zones and representatives of international organisations also reportedly accepted the invitation to attend the summit.
All aspects of the summit have been prepared and are progressing right on schedule, Mr Anucha said.
The government has declared Nov 16-18 as public holidays in Bangkok, Nonthaburi and Samut Prakan.
