Summary of EABC Policy & Advocacy Activities in 2013

The European ASEAN Business Centre in Thailand (EABC) as a platform representing the interests of European business community in Thailand had contributed the improvement of the trade and investment for European companies in Thailand through the key activity in Policy and Advocacy.

EABC, along with its nine Advocacy Working Groups, had worked intensively with almost 50 working group meetings throughout this year. Initiated and organised a number of high-level dialogues, seminars and conferences with a number of Thai authorities/ministries/counterparts, EABC had accomplished to introduce the EABC as the voice of European businesses in Thailand and to discuss/propose recommendations on key issues of concern throughout 2013.

Dialogues with Thai authorities included;

• Meeting with the Secretary General of the Social Security Office (SSO), 7 January
• High-level Discussion with Director General of the Department of Trade; Negotiations (DTN) – Ms Piramol Charoenpao, 23 April
• Courtesy Meeting with Minister of Industry – H.E. Prasert Boonchaisuk,25 April
• High-level Discussion with the Director of International Trade Strategy Bureau, Department of Trade Negotiations (DTN) – Ms Sunanta Kangvalkulkit, 16 May
• High-level Discussion with Secretary General of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) – Dr Boonchai Somboonsuk, 10 June
• Consultation with the BOI on the new investment promotion strategy with BOI Deputy Secretary General – Ms Duangjai Asawachintachit, 14 June
• Meeting with Advisor to Thailand’s Head Negotiator on EU-Thailand FTA Negotiations – Mr Sean Boonpracong, 6 August
• Consultation between the Thai Law Enforcement Agencies and the US and EU Industry Representatives with DIP Director General – Ms Pajchima Tanasanti, 18 August
• High-Level Discussion with Deputy Prime Minister – H.E Mr Pongthep Thepkanjana, 5 November
• EABC Call-on the Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Energy – Mr Suthep Liumsirijarern, 6 November
• Following up meeting with Executive Director of International Energy Cooperation, Ministry of Energy, 15 November
• Meeting with Director of Medical Device Division, FDA – Mr Vinit Usavakidviree, 26 November
• Courtesy Meeting the Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Information and Communication Technology-Dr Surachai Srisaracam, 11 December

Events/Conferences on key policy issues included:

• Luncheon with DDG AGRI and Italian Thai Chamber of Commerce, 28 March, IPR/F&B
• Automotive Summit 2013 “Moving towards Global Green Automotive Industry”, 20-21 June, Auto
• Workshop on “International Standard and Practice on CO2 measurement for the Thai Automotive Excise Tax”, 25 June, Auto
• Conference on UNLOCKING ICT – an enabler for innovative growth, 2 July, ICT
• Business Luncheon on “Intellectual Property – Make a Small Investment for Broader Protection: How OHIM Serves the Business Community in Europe and Aboard”, 15 July, IPR
• Luncheon with OIC  Secretary-General, 13 September, Insurance
• Seminar on Targeting the ASEAN Market, IP Protection and Risk Mitigation Strategies for SMEs, 8 October, IPR
• Seminar on Success Stories on Innovation in Thailand – A key driver of Economic Growth through Technology, 25 October, IPR/H&P

Highlight of EABC participations in policy dialogues and consultations included:

•  Meeting officials from various Ministries of Investment Commission of Myanmar, 3 January
• EU-TH IPR Dialogue, 27-28 February
• EU ASEAN Business Forum in Hanoi, March
• Panel Discussion on ASEAN in the Eyes of Global Green Automotive Manufacturers as Strategic Hub of Auto Production to the World, 20 June
• Public Hearing on Thai-EFTA FTA, 18 July
• Public Hearing on Draft Guideline of Patent and Petty Patent Examination by DIP, 6 times from 15 May to 13 September
• Panel Discussion on Where to from here – Taking, Existing, Experiences to Propose a Path for the Future, 27 September
• Meeting with representatives from Laos Government and Authorities, 15 October