Switzerland to attend ASEM for the first time

DAVOS, January 28 (TNA) - Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra said Saturday Switzerland will for the first time attend the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) to be held in Laos in November this year. Her remarks were made following bilateral talks with Swiss President Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf on the sidelines of the 42nd World Economic Forum held in Davos, Switzerland. During the talks, Yingluck said she had invited Switzerland to become a member of ASEM and participate in the November meeting. Laos will host the 9th ASEM this November and about 50 European Union and Asian nations are expected to attend. The two leaders also discussed a possible free trade area agreement between the two countries and, if agreed, trade and tourism relations could be boosted. The issue will be discussed by the Thai cabinet later, she said. On the 20th World Economic Forum on East Asia meeting to be held in Thailand between May 30 and June 1, Yingluck said she expected many interested foreign businessmen would participate due to their enthusiasm in investing in the kingdom. She said she had told CNBC and Euro News journalists during interviews that flood and political security have now returned to normal and Thailand’s gross domestic product in 2012 is projected to sustain growth of 5 per cent. Yingluck is scheduled to arrive at Suvarnabhumi Airport Sunday afternoon. (TNA)