On 3 July 2020, Permanent Secretary of Foreign Affairs Busaya Mathelin hosted the joint public-private High-Level Roundtable on Thailand’s Economic Diplomacy with Neighbouring Countries in the Mekong Sub-Region (Cambodia, Laos PDR, Myanmar and Vietnam) in the Post-COVID-19 Era. The roundtable was joined by high-ranking executives from public and private agencies, and provided a venue to discuss issues and way forward for enhancing Thailand's economic and business engagement in the sub-region. The meeting discussed the opportunities created and challenges posed by the pandemic and identified policy options that will help Thailand to timely re-connect the business with the neighbouring countries and support the economic stability and recovery in the Sub-region.

 

The Permanent Secretary emphasized the Ministry’s pro-active approach and readiness to move forward Thailand’s economic diplomacy in the Mekong sub-region, which is closely linked to Thailand’s economic growth, together with the business sector playing a central role. This roundtable is the first policy dialogue with the private sector since the outbreak of COVID-19.

 

The roundtable discussed short-term measures relating to issues such as border trade, logistics development, liquidity support for SMEs and tourism promotion, as well as long-term policy with regards to infrastructure development, promotion of e-commerce and digital technology and promotion of local currencies for cross-border business transactions. The participants concurred that Thailand remained a preferred investment destination and could become a country well known for high quality, cleanliness and safety, thanks to Thailand’s strength in medical and healthcare sector. This would help cushion COVID-19’s negative impact on the economy and contribute to the country’s sustainable and speedy growth. 

 

The roundtable also agreed on the establishment of a joint public-private dialogue  to be organized by the Department of International Economic Affairs, as a mechanism to advance Thailand’s economic diplomacy with the Mekong sub-region. This meeting is in line with the Government’s guideline stressing the joint public-private integrated approach in strengthening the post-COVID-19 economic recovery.