Bangkok,, The Thai Chamber of Commerce organized a general meeting of the 5 regional chambers of commerce under the theme Connect the Dots between 11 - 13 May 2024 to gather opinions from entrepreneurs across the country and create a plan to drive the economic strategy of the 5 regions, emphasizing promotion. and restore the competitiveness of SMEs with technology. Develop infrastructure connecting the trade and investment sectors Agriculture and food sector and the tourism and service sectors Mr. Sanan Angubolkul, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Thai Chamber of Commerce and the Board of Trade of Thailand Said that the meeting of the 5 regional chambers of commerce is considered an important forum for the Thai Chamber of Commerce in brainstorming opinions, suggestions, and reviewing private sector economic plans from provincial chambers of commerce throughout the country. To use as a guideline to drive the economy in each area. which the Chamber of Commerce It will be rushed to push directly to re levant government agencies immediately. In order to have concrete results in driving the economy in each region, in addition, the Chamber of Commerce would like to accelerate with the government to drive the project to upgrade 10 provinces to main cities that has already been announced to move forward. It is believed that it will help create opportunities and expand prosperity to new provinces with potential. Including tourism, trade, border trade, including developing important infrastructure. In all 10 provinces, the Chamber of Commerce has joined with the Ministry of Interior to kick off the project in Nakhon Phanom Province, with plans to continue to the remaining provinces (Lampang, Ratchaburi, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Trang, Sisaket, Nakhon Sawan, Chanthaburi and Kanchanaburi) as well as accelerating the progress of the project. Continuously involved with large infrastructure in the EEC area To attract direct foreign investment and talent from around the world to help enhance the Thai economy to grow at it s full potential. In summary, the strategic plan for 5 important sectors is as follows: Mr. Thawatchai Setthajinda, President of the Central Chamber of Commerce, said that the plan to drive private sector strategy in the Central Region In order to be in line with the Prime Minister's policy of being a center in various fields (Thailand Vision), strategic goals have been set for the development of the central economy in 3 areas: 1) International Health Hub and Medical Tourism Center (Medical Hub and Wellness) 2) Upgrading the industry in every dimension, connecting with Food Valley and Innovation Hub 3) Logistics center connecting various regions Mr. Sombat Chinsukserm, president of the Northern Chamber of Commerce, said that the plan to drive the private sector strategy in the northern region is It plans to push forward the promotion and development of the Northern Special Economic Corridor area. (NEC-Creative LANNA) with the BCG Economy concept, pushing for laws Unlocking green industrial estates and logis tics hubs The Phitsanulok Airport to International Airport project connects tourism to other regions as well as increasing the competitiveness of business operators by creating digital innovation for SMEs and Digital Startup entrepreneurs. Mr. Sawat Teerarattananukulchai The president of the Northeastern Chamber of Commerce said Plan to drive private sector strategy in the Northeast region 'Accelerate the upgrading of the economy. Aiming for sustainability' (Competitive Isan) to be a land of connectivity and prosperity in the Greater Mekong Subregion or GMS through 4 important strategic plans: 1) Trade and Travel, accelerating the development of infrastructure in border areas adjacent to the P. Lao 2) Agriculture and Food promotes the expansion of the project to raise high quality beef cattle as a pilot in 8 middle and lower northeastern provinces. 3) Travel and Service promotes tourism in the northeastern region as soft power of the country, including preparing to organize World Horticultural Expo in Udon T hani Province in 2026 4) Accelerate the water resource management plan. 'Mekong-Loei-Chi-Mun' solves repeated flood-drought problems Mr. Pratchaya Samalapa, President of the Eastern Chamber of Commerce, plans to drive private sector strategy in the Eastern region. There is a plan to expedite large infrastructure projects in the EEC area, including the high-speed rail project connecting 3 airports by 2028, the Laem Chabang Port Project Phase 3 by 2028, the U-Tapao International Airport Project by 2028, and the Map Ta Phut Industrial Port Project Phase 3. By 2027, it also aims to push the expansion of the Eastern Special Economic Development Zone (EEC+2) by proposing to add Prachinburi Province as another province in the EEC after the announcement of Chanthaburi Province (EEC+1) technology deployment. to be appropriate for the Thai context and the regional market International research collaboration between government agencies Private sector and local communities and accelerate investment in education to devel op and raise the level of education in Thailand. By setting up a working group to urgently develop the educational system and educational curriculum. To produce and develop manpower skills in line with market needs, etc. Mr. Phuwadit Preechanon, Secretary-General of the Southern Chamber of Commerce Said that the southern private sector strategy plan plans to drive the southern economy in 4 important areas: 1) push for the development of a deep-sea port on the Andaman Sea coast; The area of ??Ao Ang, Ratchakrut Subdistrict, Mueang Ranong District, Ranong Province, will be turned into a container port. Transport goods on sea routes in South Asian countries. 2) Project to build the Andaman International Convention Center. Phuket Province It is a center for displaying products, negotiating, and exchanging business and investment. 3) Tourism industry infrastructure development project on the Gulf of Thailand. To support the cruise ship tourism industry in the southern region on the Gulf of Thailand. Surat Thani P rovince and Songkhla Province 4) Project to develop logistics links among southern border provinces Supports being a center for Halal products to the world market that is border trade and cross-border trade linked to Malaysia. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Thanawat Phonwichai, President of the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce, said that regarding the Thai economic situation in 2024, he added that many sectors view that the Thai economy in 2024 will grow less than 3%. If looking back at the numbers from 1996 onwards, the economy Thailand has always been in a downward spiral. Today, however, we see that the Thai economy has recovered from the COVID-19 crisis, recovering from signs of good tourism and service sectors. But while the agricultural and industrial sectors have not recovered much, This is because the world economy continues to have problems and government spending shrinks from annual expenditures and capital expenditures. Today, it is considered that if the annual budget has already been spent During Au gust, the Thai economy should grow well. If there are no negative factors from international wars But in the long term there is still uncertainty, so the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce has reduced GDP to 2.6% this year. At the 5th Regional Chamber of Commerce General Meeting this year, there were also seminars and special lectures on important topics, such as a special lecture on Generative AI with SMEs by Dr. Phats Putthapipat SCB Data The turning point of the Thai economy and the adjustment of Thai businesses in the region' by Mr. Burin Adulwattana, Kasikorn Research Center, and Dr. Somprawin Manprasert, EIC, Siam Commercial Bank. and a special lecture on 'Strengthening the Thai Economy for Sustainability' by Dr. Kobsak Phutrakul, Executive Vice President, Bangkok Bank Public Company Limited, etc. This is for the regional economic strategic plan for 5 regions from the meeting. The private sector will take it back to push and drive forward with the relevant agencies. and present the progress of each region's plans at the end of the year at the 42nd Nationwide Chamber of Commerce Seminar in Chonburi Province between 22 - 24 November 2024 . Source: Thai News Agency