Prime Minister Cites 2013 as the Year for Sustainable Development and New Opportunities

(30/12/2012)

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has cited 2013 as the year for sustainable development and new opportunities, saying that Thailand needs to enhance its competitiveness. In the weekly program “Yingluck Government Meets the People,” the Prime Minister summarized the Government’s performance during the past year. She said that the Government would continue its major policies, while introducing new projects to strengthen the country. She explained that her frequent visits to foreign countries in 2012 were intended to create foreign investor confidence in Thailand and to explore opportunities for Thai business people wishing to invest overseas. Priorities were given to ASEAN and its dialogue partners and Thailand’s major trading partners. Apart from strengthening the country’s economy, the Prime Minister pointed out that the Government would also improve the people’s quality of life. In order to strengthen the country, emphasis would be placed on stimulating exports and domestic investment. She stated that the private sector played an important role in contributing to the Thai economy. The Government would continue its supporting role in creating investor confidence and bringing about more trade and investment. She said that the Government would also accelerate investment in infrastructure development in 2013. One of the reasons is that Thailand needs to prepare for the realization of the ASEAN Economic Community. Besides infrastructure connectivity, the Prime Minister pointed out that Thailand needs to be prepared for institutional and people-to-people connectivity, as well. Various provinces sharing borders with neighboring countries must concentrate on local economic development, which also includes adjustment in tax and legal matters in the wake of the new situation. The realization of the ASEAN Community would lead to the arrival of more foreigners and new forms of trade and investment, as there would be more buyers and investors. In this regard, the Prime Minister urged Thai people to equip themselves with more knowledge about the English language and its ASEAN partners. The ASEAN nations have agreed to use English as the working language when ASEAN becomes a single community in 2015. She said that Thailand has good potential for becoming a trade and investment center in the ASEAN region. Therefore, Thai people must adjust themselves to cope with changes in coming years. In attaching great importance to the better quality of life, the Prime Minister said that the people would see various ministries work closer together in an integrated manner in 2013. More assistance would be given to children, women, and the underprivileged. She also called for positive thinking and compassion for a favorable atmosphere among people who had different political views, in order to find solutions for the country.