BANGKOK, Thailand – Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul presided over the opening ceremony of the 3rd APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC) Meeting of 2026 in Bangkok on July 7, calling for closer public-private cooperation to promote trade, investment, and resilient regional supply chains. The premier welcomed delegates from APEC member economies and said the council provides governments with practical business perspectives that can help shape economic policy. Anutin said the government has been consulting business leaders to identify obstacles to investment and job creation, adding that many concerns stem from unnecessary procedures rather than a lack of incentives. He told the forum that the government is advancing the Thailand FastPass program to streamline investment procedures, improve coordination among agencies, and help quality investment projects move forward more efficiently.
The prime minister also stressed that resilient supply chains depend on trust, transparent regulations, efficient logistics, and cooperation among economies to keep markets open during periods of uncertainty. He called for closer regional cooperation to improve connectivity and diversify supply chains across the Asia-Pacific. According to Anutin, Thailand also supports high-quality Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) to provide businesses with greater certainty through clear rules, fair competition, and easier market access. The government will continue working with the private sector and looks forward to considering ABAC’s recommendations to improve the business environment, expand trade, and support sustainable economic growth across the region. (NNT)
