On 15 June 2018, Thailand hosted the ACMECS CEO Forum under the theme “Connecting Our Future: Enhancing ACMECS Cooperation and Integration.” The Forum is Thailand’s initiative to provide a platform for the public and private sectors from ACMECS, and development partners to exchange views, interact and make recommendations on how to strengthen cooperation on connectivity, trade and investment and finance. H.E. General Prayut Chan-o-cha, Prime Minister of Thailand presided over the opening ceremony, followed by vision statements by H.E. U Win Myint, President of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, and H.E. Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia.

The Prime Minister of Thailand stated that the private sector’s role in developing ACMECS will be significant under the 5-Year Master Plan which the leaders will adopt on 16 June 2018. The contribution by the private sector is particularly crucial in propelling ACMECS towards becoming part of the global supply chain and driving the economic sectors forward, including through the Public Private Partnership (PPP). However, ACMECS will need to catch up with technological and innovative advancement, such as e-commerce and FinTech. It is also important that the private sector works together to realize an inclusive economic development and leave no one behind.

The President of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar presented his vision statement supporting Thailand’s initiative in making ACMECS more efficient, especially in forging partnership among the public and private sectors, sub-regional financial institutions and development partners. The Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia supported the 5-Year Master Plan to be adopted by the leaders believing that it will help bridge development gaps and enhance ACMECS connectivity in areas of digital, trade and investment, particularly for SMEs.

H.E. Dr. Somkid Jatusripitak, Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand, gave a keynote speech, emphasizing that the world is witnessing the “Asia Rising” due to the continent’s continued economic growth. ACMECS should consider how to sustain such growth rates and meet the challenges in the world economy. The 5-Year Master Plan will play a significant role in this regard and will serve as a blueprint for transport connectivity and special economic zones (SEZ) of ACMECS member countries which will be mutually reinforcing as well as facilitate the movement of labour and goods.

The Deputy Prime Minister stated that ACMECS should have a sustainable source of funding. Therefore, Thailand hopes that the ACMECS Fund can be set up. Moreover, he recommended ACMECS to cooperate with Pan Pearl River Delta (PPRD) since both cooperation frameworks have geographical proximity and partnership that will support Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). It could start from Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macau before expanding to all the 11 provinces. The Deputy Prime Minister stated that there are 4 ongoing phenomena in the region, namely the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), the concept of Indo-Pacific, Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). ACMECS is at the center of such cooperation arrangements and ways should be formed to accommodate the ACMECS Big Data for regional development.

After the Forum, H.E. Mr. Don Pramudwinai, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand hosted a lunch in honour of ACMECS Minister and Speakers.

During the 8^th ACMECS Summit, Thailand will propose a 5-Year Master Plan for the leaders’ 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, harmonisation of rules and regulations as well as human resources development.  To achieve such goals, cooperation and support from all relevant stakeholders and development partners are needed. Therefore, the ACMECS CEO Forum was useful for key players to share their views in developing the future of ACMECS.

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