Excellencies,

Distinguished participants,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

 

First of all, I would like to thank H.E. V.K. Singh, Minister of State, H.E Shri C. R. Chaudhary, Minister of State, Ministry of Commerce, and Mr. O.P. Lohia, FICCI Executive Committee Member, for their invitations to address this audience today. My sincere appreciation also goes to the Government of India for her gracious hospitality and for the commendable efforts to organize today’s forum. 

 

Established in year 2000, India became the first official development partner of the Mekong sub region to be known as the Mekong Ganga Cooperation or MGC. Our partnerships had since then, developed from strength to strength. Although deeply rooted in strong cultural heritage, our cooperation has broadened to cover 7 areas of cooperation namely Tourism, Education, Transport, Culture, Agriculture, Health, and MSME (as earlier stated by my colleague Minister V.K. Singh.) As Thailand has assumed MGC co-chairmanship since August last year in Manila, it is, indeed, a great honour for me to participate in today’s milestone MGC Business Forum as proposed by my co-chair India. 

 

For today’s special address, I should like to share with you my views on the direction which would contribute in propelling the MGC grouping further to the forefront of the international stage. My focus will be directed at “connectivity” and the “Public-Private partnerships - PPPs”.  

 

Excellencies,

Distinguished participants,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

 

First, connectivity should be examined in a more profound, cross-cutting manner. States, and indeed relations among them such as those of the MGC members, should intensify their efforts to connect. Here, I refer to the traditional aspect of connectivity. One which addresses the well-known; hardware, software and people connectivity. This enhanced fundamental connectivity is prerequisite for our cooperation framework to become more modern, more competitive, opening up opportunities for us to tap into the new, fast evolving global value and supply chain. On our part, Thailand as current chair of the 5 Mekong riparian countries, also known as ACMECS, will introduce the 1st sub regional Master Plan at the Summit this June. Indeed, the Master Plan will seek to achieve a Seamless, Synchronized and Smart ACMECS for sustainable development goals. In this regard, once concluded, we will be happy to engage with India to further enhance this endeavour. 

 

Second, and with reference to the existing 7 areas of cooperation under MGC, I urge all stakeholders to adopt a more proactive approach toward them. One which accentuates connectivity between and among them. This implies that we should no longer view each cooperation area in isolation but, rather, in a concerted manner. One such example can be seen through Thailand’s current policy reform in our agriculture sector, the backbone of our economy, giving them greater access to the global supply chain, through modern tools as the internet and e-commerce. According to statistics from ETDA (the Electronic Transaction Development Agency), e-commerce in Thailand has increased by 12.42 percent from the previous year, representing 40 percent of total sales of products and services in Thailand. The government is, therefore, promoting farmers to sell or export products via e-commerce, promote cooperation between farmers and PPP, with the aim of having agricultural communities creating their own brands.    

 

Third, and probably the most important, is to adopt a more “idealist” approach to connectivity. Here, we perceive connectivity as tool that will deliver results beyond mere economic growth and business interests. But one that ensures a balance between pure “economic interests” and “social ideals”. In this connection, we expect connectivity to open up greater “accessibility” for the public in all areas, from education, healthcare, to overall well-being of our peoples. It is my conviction that it is the duty and accountability of the government to ensure such balance. 

 

Excellencies,

Distinguished participants,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

 

Projecting into the, not too distant future, Thailand aims to gradually achieve a “Moral Connectivity”. One that is responsible, balanced and truly places "people” at its very heart. 

 

To this end, one shall be mindful that governments can’t do it alone. Rather, it is my firm believe that such noble goal can only be materialized through strong bond, active engagement and close collaboration with the private sector. 

 

As we are all aware, fast forward our 18 years of cooperation, we have advanced into new territories that demand new vision. I encourage all parties to adopt a newer, bolder and more comprehensive approach toward our areas of cooperation. Thailand is of the view that in today’s geopolitical economy where the center of gravity has tilted to the Indo-Pacific region, one needs to modernize and innovate to be able to adjust and tap into the global economic supply and value chain. Another characteristic of this current “Rise of Asia” process is that we are moving into a new phase of capitalism or what some scholars define as “Capitalism 4.0”. Regardless of its label, it will undeniably be characterized by a host of reforms and shifts in the boundaries between the public and the private sector. Black and white dividing lines between the responsibilities of government and business will be turned into shades of grey. This new era will inevitably bring state and market into a closer relationship. Both of them will need to work hand in hand to achieve righteous social objectives. More than ever before, governments are to become truly accountable and answerable to their citizens’ basic needs and fundamental well-beings. 

 

We must engage you, the private partners. 

We must provide conducive environment for your businesses.

We, the governments, need to guide and facilitate your activities and businesses, promote further interactions to achieve win-win solutions for the public. I am of the view that, although we have advance greatly since the millennium, more needs to be done, especially in terms of awareness promotion among the private sectors.

 

Hence, today’s Business Forum is extremely timely. Again, I commend India for her vision in bringing these two important sectors in the fabric of our society together in a formal manner.

 

To this end, I take this opportunity to extend my sincerest good to you all. I am confident that with the right participants, the right audience and the right timing, today’s event will prove to be a great milestone for a lasting partnerships.

 

Thank you