Thai people urged to raise competitiveness in lead-up to AC

BANGKOK, October 28 (TNA) - Prime Minister and Defence Minister Yingluck Shinawatra have encouraged Thai people to further enhance their competitiveness in the light of the formation of the ASEAN Community (AC) by 2015. Yingluck made the remarks while opening a seminar on the future of the Thai economy in the ASEAN Community held at the Government Complex on the outskirts of Bangkok on Monday morning. Yingluck explained that global economic conditions over the past 4-5 years have inevitably affected Thailand and Thai people, thus, need to develop their immunity, join forces to expand their businesses and trade and use mechanisms of the AC to further enhance their competitiveness. The prime minister said her government will help by speeding up the development of transport networks and connectivity with neighboring countries, supporting for Thai products and services, adding values of Thai products and reforming the country's education and bureaucracy. Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Niwatthamrong Bunsongphaisan acknowledged that Thailand is a gateway of trade, investment and tourism in ASEAN and he believes the formation of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) should considerably boost the national economic growth. Apart from the seminar, there are also other activities, including an exhibition on the future of Thai businesses, business counseling clinics, the Best of Thailand trade show and sales of discount products, all of which will be continued until November 6, 2013. (TNA)