Kingdom readies itself to lead ApecDigitisation, global economic challenges and the tensions between the United States and China were topics discussed among experts as Thailand prepares to assume the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) chair in 2022. Cherdchai Chaivaivid, director-general of the Department of International Economic Affairs, yesterday told the Bangkok Post that the experts held their first Apec Focus Group (AFG) meeting on July 14 to prepare for the chairmanship. The group included Narongchai Akrasanee, former commerce minister; Pichet Durongkaveroj, society minister; and Chartsiri Sophonpanich, president of Bangkok Bank. The AFG meeting was chaired by Anusorn Chinwanno, director of the Devawongse Varopakarn Institute of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Apec is the world's largest regional economic bloc, representing about 60% of the world's GDP in 2018.

Source: Bangkok Post July 21, 2020 19:18 UTC