Thailand has more trade negotiating power

BANGKOK, 16 November 2009 (NNT) – Thailand will enjoy higher trade negotiating power after the recently ended 17th APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting (AELM) in Singapore, according to Deputy Secretary-General to the Prime Minister, Dr Panitan Wattanayagorn.

Dr Panitan said the meeting had discussed Free Trade Areas (FTAs) for economic recovery, campaigns against effects of new forms of economic development, and solutions to climate change. He said leaders and new generations of businesspeople from Asia, Latin America, and the US were also present in the conference.

As member and current chair of ASEAN, Dr Panitan said Thailand promoted the liberalization of trade as well as connectivity in APEC.

In the conference, US President Barack Obama has expressed his interest to participate more in various aspects of ASEAN, including education and labor movement. He also lauded ASEAN for its human rights movements and free trade promotion. President Obama also stated that he would support ASEAN to participate more in solving global economic problems in the G-20 Summit.