Gov. Khomsan Ekachai opens the ASEAN Economic
Community seminar at the Tide Resort.
Eastern Seaboard government and business leaders
debated how increasing development, manufacturing and public-private
cooperation can lead to greater prosperity under the ASEAN Economic
Community at a seminar sponsored by Chonburi Province.
Gov. Khomsan Ekachai opened the Jan. 20 workshop at the Tide Resort,
which featured lectures and brainstorming sessions on AEC issues.
Khomsan noted that the Eastern Seaboard has the greatest potential to
benefit from the common market that launches next year. The eastern
region accounts for 13.48 percent of Thailand’s gross domestic product
and the average revenue generated per resident is 3.5 times greater than
the national average at 584,987 baht.
Thanin Pha-aem, deputy secretary of the Office of National Economics and
Social Development Board opened the session before attendees split into
groups to discuss specialized subjects.
Assistant Professor Thaweesak Thepphithak from Burapha University spoke
on utilizing provincial and state potential to construct a production
base for competition.
Chadchai Dee-aum, a consultant to Trat Province, discussed development
of the border-region economy in connection with neighboring countries’
economic activities.
Chantaburi Deputy Gov. Kalnarong Pongcharoen spoke on strengthening
regional development mechanisms, particularly the Integrated Provincial
Administration Committee and Public-Private Joint Committee to Resolve
Economic Issues.
Finally, Chonburi academics Prathan Surakitbuan and Montree Thonwiwat
discussed roles and activities of state groups in connection with
national strategies framed by regional cooperation and ASEAN
cooperation. (CPRD)