Thailand's Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont on Monday expressed satisfaction with the result of the latest Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meeting, saying Thailand would benefit more from the resultant trade liberalization.
Speaking upon his return from the APEC Leaders Meeting, held in Sydney, Australia on Sept. 8-9, he said global warmth and Doha Round negotiations were the main issues raised for discussion at the meeting.
Surayud was quoted by the staterun Thai News Agency as saying that it is expected the Doha Round negotiations under the World Trade Organization would conclude soon or during next year.
"The main discussion is focused on trade liberalization under the Doha Round framework, which is the short-term target. The medium-term objective is to push for the liberalization of trade and investment in the region as part of the Bogor goals, while the long-term one is to liberalize the trade of APEC members," he said.
The prime minister said APEC leaders had also discussed the restructuring of APEC. The leaders shared a common view that a secretariat should be established and the membership fee be increased.
He said Peru is entrusted to host the summit next year.
Regarding the proposed increase in the number of members, the meeting agreed to maintain the existing number of members at 21 economic zones until 2010.
Asked how Thailand benefited from the summit, the premier said that all members bounded for the mutual trade liberalization.
Should the conclusion be reached at the Doha Round negotiations, there would be more liberal trade, he said.
Under the circumstance, Thailand would benefit more because the trade with APEC members already represented 70 percent of the country's total.
Source: Xinhua
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