“When we work together to fulfill the potentials of the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC), Thailand and the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) can become a powerhouse across the world.”
This was the statement of Dr. Narongchai Akrasanee, MI Steering Committee Chairman and former Minister of Energy and Commerce of Thailand, at the opening of the GMS Logistics Forum today. Dr. Narongchai explained that “connectivity in the logistics and infrastructure sectors is the first step in boosting the competitive advantage of the GMS in the global market.”
Hosted by the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB), Mekong Institute (MI), E-Commerce and Logistics ASEAN Association, Bangkok Post, and with support from the Pattaya City Government, the Eastern Economic Corridor, GMS-FRETA, and the Joint Foreign Chambers of Commerce in Thailand (JFCCT), the Forum presented opportunities and progress in improving the efficiency of logistics and infrastructure processes in a series of activities from March 24 to 26, 2021 in Amari Pattaya, Thailand.
Mr. Chiruit Isarangkun Na Ayuthaya, Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) President, underscored that broader public-private collaboration can unlock economic potentials in the EEC. He added that tapping existing channels such as MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conventions, and Exhibitions) can showcase the value of the EEC to a wider audience to increase international investments.
“By explaining the benefits of the EEC across all sectors in society, we build ownership for transformative change which will see the GMS advance not just in logistics and infrastructure but in the areas of technological innovation and market strategies,” he said.
Mr. Suriyan Vichitlekarn, MI Executive Director, encouraged government, business, and private sector representatives to take advantage of the policy discussions, targeted solutions, and practical approaches highlighted across the Forum’s four activities.
“This Forum builds and strengthens partnerships so we can collectively contribute to making more open and efficient the movement of goods, services, and products between and among countries,” he said.
Prime movers presented prevailing logistics and infrastructure initiatives and investment opportunities in the EEC, including practical measures to mitigate the impacts of COVID-19 at the Business Forum. These discussions were also livestreamed to a wider regional audience.
The Business Forum was followed by a business networking and matching session and product exhibit for service providers and enterprises to exchange insights and link networks to induce lucrative investments.
A visit to EEC facilities will be arranged on March 26, 2021 to showcase technological advances and country-specific best practices in economic corridor management.
Other high-level officials from GMS-Freight Transport; the Eastern Economic Corridor Office of Thailand; JFCCT International Trade Committee, TCEB; Office of the City Mayor in Pattaya; and Bangkok Post Company, Limited also attended the event.
For more information, please visit https://logisticsgms.com/forum and www.mekonginstitute.org.
