Prayut hands over bamboo basket to US as Apec summit ends

THAI Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha this afternoon (Nov. 19) gave a bamboo basket to US Vice President Kamala Harris at the end of the 29th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) summit to symbolise the passing over of Apec goals to next year’s summit host, Naewna newspaper said.

The second day of the summit was a retreat session focusing on “Sustainable trade and investment.”

Prayut had told the foreign leaders that trade and investment play an important role in promoting sustainable and inclusive growth across the region and the world with Apec having always supported a multilateral trading system with the World Trade Organisation as its core.

Apec can play a role as an incubator of ideas by working together to find new solutions to issues such as inclusion, sustainability and digital transformation, he added.

One of Apec’s key contributions to the multilateral trading system is the advent of the Free Trade Area of ​​the Asia-Pacific (FTAAP) agenda, which has made significant strides this year. A multi-year roadmap to advance the FTAAP agenda has been worked out with this helping build capacity and prepare the economy for the next generation.

Apec leaders had jointly endorsed two draft outcome documents, namely the “2022 Apec Leaders Declaration” and the “Bangkok Goals on BCG (Bio-Circular-Green) economy.”

The three colours in the bamboo basket given to the US Vice President symbolise the passing on of the intention of promoting joint economic cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region for an open, interconnected and sustainable growth.

These three colours also reflect the theme of Thailand’s 2022 Apec summit, that is open, connect and balance, with blue (convenience blue) representing the opening of trade and investment among the 21 economic zones, pink (connection pink) representing intra-regional connectivity, and green (sustainability green) representing economic cooperation for sustainable growth.

CAPTION:

Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha handing over the bamboo basket to US Vice President  Kamala Harris at the end of the Apec summit today. Photos: Naewna

Also read: Chadchart regrets Apec protesters got injured, trying to help detainees

Move Forward MP slams Prayut govt for using force against anti-Apec protesters

5 injured as police fire tear gas, rubber bullets at protesters

Apec summit marred by suspected North Korea ICBM test, protest

Xi did not shake hands with Prayut ‘because of Covid measures’

Protesters hold ritual curse ceremony at City Hall square

Protesters back off from marching to QSNCC to submit letter to foreign leaders

Protesters stopped from marching to QSNCC 

Amnesty urges Thai govt to help stop bloodshed in Myanmar

Tuk-tuk procession goes across the city to protest against Apec, Prayut