Private sector key to sustainability of Asean development, experts say
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Goal is for a green economy to keep region thriving via collaboration
The private sector will have to take the lead in Asean’s sustainable development in economic, social and environment terms, experts said at a symposium yesterday.
“The goal is to be a ‘green Asean’ by supporting clean industry and manufacturing, green agriculture, etc. This is the way the Asean members will collaborate for the long term, not only the governments but also the private sector,” Asean secretary-general Le Luong Minh said.
The “Asean Sustainable Development Symposium” was hosted by Siam Cement Group.
“Sustainable development is not an alternative, but it is a must-have agenda for all parties in society,” SCG president and chief executive officer Kan Trakulhoon said.
He said SCG had been concerned about sustainable development for more than 10 years, not only at the corporate level but throughout its supply chain of more than 600 firms.
“We also have a sustainable-development policy in all of our investments in Asean by [being] concerned about the economy, social [aspects], and the environment, although our core business is one of the industries that build the pollution in the environment,” he said.
Between 2009 and last year, SCG invested Bt17 billion in waste heat retention systems in all of its plants, reducing energy consumption by about 25 per cent over that period. The group also has a policy to recycle waste heat in all of its new plants both in Thailand and overseas, he said.
Finance Minister Sommai Phasee said the government had supported the private sector’s contribution to sustainable development since the financial crisis of 1997.
“Before 1997, our economy was growing quickly, but that growth was not sustainable. As a result, when the global economy changed and investors attacked the baht, our country’s economy turned to crisis. But now we have learned from the crisis to manage the country’s financial structure, making it stronger than before. Although some of the governments have had wrong policies, the country has continued to survive,” he said.
