Thailand will host the upcoming 8^th ACMECS Summit on 15-16 June 2018 in Bangkok and will kick-start with the ‘ACMECS CEO Forum’ under the theme “Connecting Our Future: Enhancing ACMECS Cooperation and Integration” on 15 June 2018 at 9.00 hours at Shangri-La Hotel.

The ACMECS CEO Forum is Thailand’s initiative aimed to create a platform for the public and private sectors as well as financial institutions from ACMECS member countries and development partners to exchange information, perspectives and make recommendations on how to coordinate and promote cooperation on connectivity, trade and investment, and finance. The forum will be presided over by General Prayut Chan-o-cha (Ret.), the Thai Prime Minister, while Myanmar President U Win Myint and Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen will also present their vision statements during the opening ceremony. Moreover, Dr. Somkid Jatusipitak, Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand will deliver a   keynote speech entitled “Future Direction – Enhancing Economic Integration of ACMECS”.

During the 8^th ACMECS Summit on 16 June 2018, Thailand will propose a 5-Year Master Plan to the ACMECS leaders for endorsement. The Master Plan, the first of its kind, will serve as a blueprint to guide ACMECS countries in implementing projects that will focus on infrastructure, regulations’ harmonization as well as human resource development. Sustainable Development is key for ACMECS to become an integrated economic community. To achieve such goals, cooperation and support from all relevant agencies and development partners are needed. Therefore, the speakers and panelists at the ACMECS CEO Forum have been carefully selected to reflect the theme as follows:

- Dr. Veerathai Santiprabhob, Governor of the Bank of Thailand (BOT): Finance and Finance Technology

- Mr. Richard Liu, CEO of JD.com: E-commerce

- Dr. Supee Teravaninthorn, Representative of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB): Infrastructure

- Dr. Ramesh Subramaniam, Representative of the Asian Development Bank (ADB): Software connectivity

- Oknha Heng Vuthy, Representative from the Cambodian Chamber of Commerce and President of T&B Import Export and Construction Co., Ltd.: Smart agriculture

- Dr. Daovong Phonekeo, Permanent Secretary of Energy and Mine of Lao PDR: Energy

- U Moe Kyaw, Representative of the Myanmar Federation of Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Secretary-General of ACMECS Business Council: Land and Property Development

- Mr. Nguyen Anh Vu, Business Development Director of Green Desert Co., Ltd. : Start-ups

- Mr. Kazuhisa Yumikura, Representative of Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC): Business opportunity assessment

- Mr. Ariya Banomyong, Managing Director of Line Thailand will be the interlocutor

H.E. Mr. Don Pramudwinai, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand will host a lunch for ACMECS Ministers and senior participants.

Interested audience can watch the opening ceremony of the ACMECS CEO Forum which will be telecast live via NBT channel. More information can be found at www.acmecs2018.org

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