ACD meeting starts

BANGKOK, Oct 8 (TNA) - Thirty-four member countries of the Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD) on Saturday began their three-day meeting in Bangkok to find ways to mobilise funds in Asia to finance mega projects as well as exploring monetary cooperation as global economy remains in doldrums. Sek Wannamethee, director-general of the Thai Foreign Affairs Ministry’s Information Department, said the 14th ACD meeting is held with an aim to boost competitiveness and connectivity to enable Asian countries to grow on a sustainable basis. Leaders of Asian countries will also exchange opinions in a bid to promote regional cooperation to create “Asian Community” in 2030 in which Thailand had proposed the ‘Sufficiency Economy Philosophy’, initiated by His Majesty the King, while the country chaired the G77 and more than 20 countries are now implementing the concept, said Mr Sek. The meeting will also offer an opportunity for the first time to private businessmen to discuss mega projects in Asia and monetary cooperation under the subject called the ‘ACD Connect Business Forum 2016’, he said. Besides boosting competitiveness in trade and investment, the meeting will offer a good opportunity for the Thai investors to expand agricultural and small and medium-sized enterprises businesses, said Mr Sek. Thailand is the chair and coordinator of ACD for 2016. This will be the 3rd ACD Ministerial Meeting held in this country. The 1st ACD Ministerial Meeting was held in Cha-am resort in 2002 and the 2nd ACD Ministerial Meeting was held in Chiang Mai in 2003. (TNA)