Climate change on Bali agenda

Deputy Prime Minister Niwatthamrong Boongsongpaisan said he would lead Thai officials to Bali for the October 4-5 Apec meeting. The main agenda will focus on encouraging all Apec members to reduce tariffs for environmentally friendly products to only 5 per cent to battle climate change and increase protection of the environment.
About 54 products that are friendly to the environment are on the list of proposed tariff cuts. These include windmills, biomass boilers, incinerators, solar cells, and machines for waste management.
Niwatthumrong, who is also commerce minister, said Thailand should benefit from the tariff reductions as they would make some high technology products cheaper.
Apec also plans to promote cooperation among member countries to help small and medium-sized enterprises expand overseas. The ministers will also discuss food security and stabilisation of food prices. As an agricultural country, Thailand could also help support Apec initiatives and create fairness on trading.
The Apec ministers will also encourage more investment within the Asia-Pacific region to help develop infrastructure of each country by allowing more private enterprises to join government projects.
Thailand is keen on improving regional links and plans Bt2 trillion worth of infrastructure projects that will help connect it with countries in the region. The projects are aimed at reducing the cost of transport and increasing logistical efficiency to lift Thai enterprises’ competitiveness.
Apec will also encourage resumption this year of the marathon Doha Round of trade talks before the ninth WTO conference is held in December. Issues that would be proposed for discussion are trade facilitation, development of the agricultural sector, and information technology.