JBIC to support ACMECS summit and Thailand-Japan HLJC meeting in mid-2018

The Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) will support Thailand's host of the next Ayeyawady-Chao Phraya-Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy (ACMECS) and the next meeting of the Thailand-Japan High Level Joint Commission (HLJC) in mid-2018. Deputy Government Spokesman Lieutenant General Werachon Sukondhapatipak told journalists that JBIC Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Executive Managing Director Tadashi Maeda pledged for the support while paying a courtesy call on Thai Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-ocha at Bangkok's Government House on Thursday. The deputy spokesman stated that the JBIC top executive will send a high-level delegation to help prepare for Thailand's host of the next ACMECS summit during June 15-16, as Tokyo is expected to participate in the further development of Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Vietnam and Thailand, now called the CLMVT group, in various areas, to be mentioned in the ACMECS Master Plan, in order to benefit the Greater Mekong Sub-region (GMS) as a whole in terms of the promotion of borderless connectivity, as well as the innovative economic advancement on the sustainable basis. Besides, JBIC will help coordinate the 4th Meeting of the Thailand-Japan HLJC in July, in which Thai Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak will participate to discuss issues related to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), including a study on impacts on the Thai farm and pharmaceutical production sectors. The deputy spokesman said the JBIC top executive also reported to Prime Minister General Prayut on JBIC progressive moves on inviting Japanese firms to invest in the Thai government-supported Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) Project, especially those in high speed train and other mega-infrastructure plans for joint benefits of relevant parties, including Japan, China and Thailand. (TNA)