Wednesday, 17 November 2021 Thailand's Private Sector is preparing to host the APEC Business Advisory Council in 2022 (ABAC 2022) under the concept of “Embrace, Engage, and Enable”, by using the symbol of a “Dok Loi Pattern”. Its intertwined lines convey the important synergies for dealing with a changing world and bringing the 21 economies together to tackle challenges and help each other.
Mr. Supant Mongkolsuthree, chairman of The Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) and chairman of the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC) has revealed that ABAC is responsible for providing advice to economic zone leaders on the implementation of liberalisation and facilitation of trade and investment. It consists of 63 members appointed by the leaders of each economic zone, 3 members per economic zone from the 21 economies and Thailand has the three core private organisations of the Thai business sector, namely The Federation of Thai Industries, The Thai Chamber of Commerce and Board of Trade of Thailand , and the Thai Bankers' Association. The Chair of ABAC comes from the economy that is hosting APEC and therefore changes annually, Thailand has been commissioned to host in 2022. The logo will use a symbol called a "Dok Loi Pattern" which is based on a Thai art style that refers to the period of blooming, the different small lines are being stitched together to form a shape of a "Dok Loi" pattern. There are 21 components matching the number of member economies, reflecting the important synergies for dealing with the waves of change and moving forward to the new equilibrium in the world.
ABAC 2022 has set the main theme of the events as "Embrace, Engage, and Enable", which means the following. Embrace; represents the openness to new opportunities. Open and connect to a network of economic alliances after the global economic recession. Engage; means to unite creative forces, work together to create a new economic direction for the future, and Enable; expand the constraints of economic capacity. Anything can be possible, anytime and anywhere.
Additionally, to prepare for ABAC 2022 and in cooperation with the government, the ABAC 2022 Working Groups have been appointed and there are 4 sub-working groups, namely 1) the ABAC Executive Director Support 2022 Committee. 2) the ABAC4 2022 Event Organising Committee. 3) the APEC CEO Summit 2022 Event Organising Committee. 4) the ABAC 2022 Sponsorship Committee. The Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking, (JSCCIB) is made up of The Federation of Thai Industries, The Thai Chamber of Commerce and Board of Trade of Thailand , and the Thai Bankers' Association.
Mr. Areepong Bhoocha-oom, ABAC Executive Director 2022 and ABAC Executive Director Support 2022 Chair, said that the ABAC Executive Director Support 2022 Committee is a working group that supports, promotes, and drives various important proposals and works closely with the ABAC's 5 Working Groups, where representatives are from the 21 APEC economies. And the committee has responsibility for the summary of issues in the draft proposals to APEC Leaders and APEC Ministers.
Mr.Vathit Chokwatana, Vice Chairman of The Federation of Thai Industries and the Event ABAC4 Chair, said that there will be four meetings of the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC) in 2022, and Thailand will host the fourth meeting at the end of October to early November in Bangkok. The committee must prepare to welcome representatives from the 21 APEC economies as the ABAC host, including facilitating all matters throughout the meeting.
Mr. Poj Aramwattananont, ABAC Thailand Member and APEC CEO Summit 2022 Chair, said that the APEC CEO Summit will be held in late October to early November. This is another highlight of Thailand's hosting of APEC because many leaders will be invited to attend the event. All leaders will demonstrate a vision that can lead the 21 APEC economies through the global economic crises the world is facing, the CEOs of leading global companies will also attend the event. This is a great opportunity for Thailand.
Mr. Kobsak Duangdee, ABAC Thailand member, added that the APEC Digital Trade Symposium; Advancing Digital Trade Transformation and Connectivity in APEC is the first event to take place with Thailand as the host, with strong cooperation and support from the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) and Asia Pacific Financial Forum (APFF) under ABAC participation in the event and agenda. Senior executives and experts from important organisations around the world will be invited to address the symposium during the event.
