The European ASEAN Business Centre (EABC) was officially launched in Bangkok on Wednesday 18 january 2012 at Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit, The Ballroom.
This opening was hosted by the EABC President and presided over by the EU Ambassador to Thailand H.E. David Lipman and Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr. Surapong Tovichakchaikul.
The mission of EABC is to represent a unified and comprehensive voice of European businesses in Thailand. The EABC will work towards increasing European companies – especially SME’s – trade and investment trade in Thailand and improving the working conditions for the companies already established here.
The voice of the EABC will have considerable weight. It comes with an official mandate of the European Union. It is backed by the existing Chambers of Commerce for Germany, Belgian & Luxembourg, Britain, Denmark, France, Netherlands, Switzerland, Finland, Italy, Norway and Sweden. And the Embassies of the EU Member States in Thailand are linked in as partners of the centre.
The EABC main activities include carrying out of advocacy – drafting and disseminating joint European industry position papers and supporting European businesses with trade related information. In cooperation with its stakeholders EABC will be organising European wide events to foster European businesses in Thailand.
Eight sector specific working groups have been established for the following sectors: Automotive, Food & Beverages, Healthcare & Pharmaceutical, ICT, Insurance, Intellectual Property Rights and Transport & Logistics. A key cross-sectoral issues working group including a.o financial issues facing investors, manufacturers and associated suppliers in Thailand is named the “Horizontal” working group.
Membership
European companies or European business interest-driven companies have the right and are invited to be members of EABC. Within EABC membership, active participation in trade advocacy working groups is encouraged.
EABC will facilitate its members throughout the development of ideas and thoughts that establish the European business position on relevant matters in each industry by:
a) aiding and facilitating the development of trade and commerce in Thailand through activities aimed at improving the business environment and the removal or reduction of regulatory and other political obstacles;
b) collecting, developing and disseminating relevant information to the stakeholders and the Advocacy working groups;
c) organising and holding conferences and seminars and other such meetings as may be considered desirable to promote the interests of the EABC;
d) communicating with the Thai Government and its various ministries and agencies to facilitate the conduct of business in Thailand by EABC stakeholders and members;
e) providing industry inputs for the formulation of EC positions and suggesting priorities for trade policy negotiations with Thailand and ASEAN members. Working closely with the EC-led Market Access Teams in Thailand as well as supporting the activities of the EUD and the governments of the EU member states and their respective institutions pursuing objectives to the benefit of EABC.
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