PM heads to World Economic Forum

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra is to attend the 42nd annual World Economic Forum (WEF) on Friday in Davos, Switzerland and will take the opportunity to regain the confidence of leaders and investors in Thailand after last year's flood crisis.

Yingluck is travelling to Switzerland for the WEF after wrapping up her official visit to India. This year's WEF theme is "The Great Transformation: Shaping New Models" reflecting world leaders' worry about global complexities and linkages following the financial crisis that has gripped many parts of the world.

In Davos, Yingluck is expected to showcase Thailand's vision in the international arena as well as rebuild confidence among leaders and investors in the Thai economy after the flood crisis last year, which caused huge damage.

Yingluck told the Thai News Agency that she would also use the forum to publicise the World Economic Forum on East Asia to be held in Bangkok May 30 to June 1.

She believed that her participation in the forum would rebuild confidence among foreign investors and convince them to maintain their existing business in Thailand and could also bring new investment to the country.

The WEF is an independent international organisation committed to improving the state of the world by engaging business, political, academic and other leaders of society to shape global, regional and industry agendas.

More than 2,500 participants from all over the world, including heads of state or government, business leaders, and members of the media are joining this year's meeting.

Yingluck is scheduled to participate in three main sessions including a round table discussion with international leaders and executives, an informal gathering of World Economic Leaders (IGWEL) on "Defining the Imperatives for 2012" covering sustainable economic growth.

She will be a keynote speaker at the opening conference called " Women as the Way Forward," which is intended to exchange opinions on the values and roles of female leaders.

Yingluck will also discuss with business leaders and CEOs on the topic of "Public-Private Interaction on Thailand", seeking ways to develop Thailand’s economic potential and policy on water management and long term reform measures in Thailand.

The prime minister will meet with leaders of a number of countries, including the presidents of Poland, Tanzania, Switzerland, and the prime minister of Pakistan. She will also hold discussions with business leaders from Sumitomo Chemical, Coca-Cola, and Swiss Re.

On the sidelines of the WEF, Thailand opens "Thai Night" this evening to publicise that it will host the World Economic Forum on East Asia 2012.

Yingluck said "Thai Night" should draw over 400 business leaders and would offer another chance to tell investors of investment opportunities in Thailand.