DG of International Economic Affairs Department,  as Thailand’s APEC Senior Official, attended the APEC virtual Extraordinary Senior Officials’ Meeting (E-SOM) on COVID-19 supporting APEC to strengthen the Multilateral Trading System, enhance digital literacy and application of digital technology in the region, particularly in empowering MSMEs, and to focus on tourism sector recovery.

 

On 27 May 2020, Mr.Cherdchai Chaivaivid, Director-General of the Department of International Economic Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand, as Thailand’s APEC Senior Official, attended the APEC virtual Extraordinary Senior Officials’ Meeting (E-SOM) on COVID-19, hosted by Malaysia.

 

APEC virtual E-SOM on COVID-19 aims to discuss policy direction for APEC 2020 work plan on post-COVID-19, as instructed by the Statement on COVID-19 by APEC Ministers Responsible for Trade (MRT) ( http://apec.org/Meeting-Papers/Sectoral-Ministerial-Meetings/Trade/2020_trade to read the statement). Important agendas include (1) discussion on APEC economies’ proposals and initiatives, built on the MRT Statement on COVID-19, such as the facilitation on flows of essential and medical goods, the establishment of APEC fund for combating COVID-19 and the creation of APEC online-platform of policy trackers on COVID-19, and (2) discussion on APEC 2020 calendar and key deliverables.

 

On this occasion, Thailand expressed that APEC must continue to support and strengthen the Multilateral Trading System (MTS) and reaffirmed the commitment to keeping markets open and ensure supply chain connectivity in the region. Thailand also proposed APEC to enhance digital literacy and application of digital technology in the region, particularly in empowering MSMEs, and to focus on tourism sector recovery. For APEC 2020 calendar, Thailand supports APEC to maintain its continuity, and stands ready to work with Malaysia and all member economies to deliver the APEC Post-2020 Vision in this year as planned.