Political turmoil won’t affect Thailand’s participation in AEC

BANGKOK, April 7 (TNA) - The Thai permanent secretary for Finance has informed ASEAN finance ministers that the ongoing political turmoil in Thailand will not obstruct the country’s participation in the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) in late 2015. Speaking to reporters on Monday, Rung-son Sriworasat said he informed ASEAN finance ministers at the 18th ASEAN Finance Ministers Meeting in Myanmar that political demonstrations in Thailand has posed no negative impacts on the country’s economic growth and thus they would not affect the country’s participation in the AEC. The 18th ASEAN Finance Ministers Meeting took place in Nay Pyi Taw during April 4-5, 2014. Rungson said he told the meeting that Thai exports will benefit from the global economic recovery, pointing out that overseas demands, especially from the Group of Three countries (G3), will help boost Thai exports and hence the Thai economy, which is projected to expand by 2.6 percent this year. The G3 nations comprise the United States, Japan and the economies of the eurozone. He also said Thailand’s financial sector is well prepared for the AEC and the country also has clear action plans for its participation in the regional economic community. The next ASEAN Finance Ministers Meeting is set to take place in Malaysia in April 2015. (TNA)