BANGKOK, (NNT) – Thailand has declared its readiness to host the 34th ASEAN Summit on 22-23 June this year.

Suriya Chindawongse, from the Department of ASEAN Affairs, said Thailand, as the chairman of ASEAN this year, is fully prepared to host the 34th ASEAN Summit on 22-23 June this year, with Advancing Partnership for Sustainability being the summit’s theme, as nominated by Thailand.

ASEAN leaders will be coming together to share their visions of partnership for sustainability, ASEAN’s cooperation on disaster prevention and mitigation and to sign a declaration and operational plan addressing marine waste, a framework on the Year of ASEAN Culture 2019 and ASEAN’s opinion on Indo-Pacific affairs.

Thailand’s trade with ASEAN in 2018 was worth 100.7 billion US dollars, which is a 10.4 percent increase from the previous year.

The figure was a combination of 59.6 billion US dollar product exports from Thailand and 41.1 billion US dollar imports from ASEAN. The key export products from Thailand include automobiles and parts, refined oils, chemicals and machinery, while key import products include crude oil, computers and parts.

A special ASEAN Economic Ministers’ Meeting will be held on 21-22 June to determine a mutual stance for ASEAN on the procession of the regional economic partnership, to be completed within this year, and to discuss ASEAN cooperation to cope with the digital era, the promotion of digital technologies among individual businesses and the connection of a one-stop electronic customs system with all 10 ASEAN countries.

National News Bureau Of Thailand