Mr Supachai praised the government's special economic zones (SEZs), and its promotion of 10 targeted industries, saying the policies would help stimulate investment and improve Thai industries. Twelve Pacific Rim countries concluded the TPP agreement last year, which encompasses 40% of global trade. RCEP is viewed as an alternative to the TPP trade pact that includes the US, but excludes China. In a related development, Diana Barrowclough, an Unctad economist, said yesterday the stringent fiscal stance of many developed countries led to weak recovery from the global economic crisis. A prolonged period of slow wage growth has lead to insufficient household demand and weak growth in productive investment, she said.

Source: Bangkok Post September 21, 2016 23:26 UTC