The 10th Asia-Europe Finance Ministers’ Meeting ASEM kicked off in Thailand on Monday.Thai Deputy Premier/Finance Minister Kittiratt Na Ranong spoke at the opening ceremony welcoming delegates from 46 Asian and European member countries as well as heads of international organisations, including the European Commission, the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, the European Central Bank and the Asian Development Bank.Mr Kittiratt said Asia and Europe have had close economic ties.
Last year, the two regions had a combined tourism value between one another at almost one trillion US dollars. During the current eurozone crisis, he said he hoped Asia would help Europe recover through more trade and investment.
via 10th ASEM Finance Ministers’ Meeting kicks off in Thailand.
H.E. Kittiratt Na Ranong, Minister of Finance of Thailand, announced that the Ministry of Finance will host the 10th Asia-Europe (ASEM) Finance Ministers’ Meeting on 15 October 2012 in Bangkok. This meeting will be attended by Finance Ministers and high level officials from 46 Asian and European member countries (27 European member countries, 16 Asian member countries, and 3 Temporary Third Category countries), heads of international organizations, including European Commission, ASEAN Secretariat, World Bank, International Monetary Funds (IMF), European Central Bank (ECB), and Asian Development Bank (ADB).
This ASEM Finance Ministers’ Meeting aims to promote closer cooperation between Asia and Europe and share experiences and prospects regarding economic development, as well as financial and fiscal issues. In addition, the meeting will help bolster potentials and strengthen economic, financial and fiscal ties of both regions.
Minister Kittiratt stated further that, by hosting the ASEM Finance Ministers’ Meeting, Thailand will have opportunity to learn from knowledge and experiences shared among members, especially on the recent European Financial Crisis and their policies and measures imposed to mitigate the crisis. Furthermore, by accepting to be a host country of such prestigious event, it would emphasize Thailand’s leading roles in international economic, financial, and fiscal fora.
The 10th ASEM Finance Ministers’ Meeting as well as related meetings will take place at Siam Kempinski Hotel, Bangkok. The official functions will begin on 14 October 2012 with a Joint-Minister Statement drafting session to be chaired by Director General of Fiscal Policy Office. The 10th ASEM Finance Ministers’ Meeting, which will be chaired by Minister of Finance of Thailand, will be on 15 October 2012.
