Chuan to open major seminar in Phuket

PHUKET: Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai will open the 18th National Chamber of Commerce Seminar, which will take place in Phuket on February 3 and 4, hosted jointly by the Phuket Chamber of Commerce and Thai Chamber of Commerce (TCC). The seminar, which is expected to draw about 150 participants representing chambers of commerce from across Thailand, will begin at 8:30 am at the Royal Phuket City Hotel, with the opening ceremony performed by PM Chuan. The first topic for discussion will be “How ready is Thailand to compete in international markets?” The main speaker will be Assistant Professor Nipon Poaponsakorn of the Thailand Development Research Institute. The second session will focus on “Directions for Thailand’s economic recovery.” The main speakers will be the Permanent Secretary for Finance, Somchainuk Engtrakul, and the Permanent Secretary for Commerce, Krirk-Krai Jirapaet. In the evening, the third session will discuss “What Thailand will gain from Suwannapoom Airport (Nong Ngu Hao).” The main speaker will be Gen Mongkol Ampornpisit, Committee Chairman of the New Bangkok International Airport Co. On the morning of February 4 there will be a roundtable discussion of government policies and ways to develop the Thai economy. The conference will then be closed by the Prime Minister.