APEC business leaders convene in Bangkok, urging public-private partnership for sustainable growth

Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul addresses the third Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Business Advisory Council (ABAC) meeting in 2026 in Bangkok, Thailand, on July 7, 2026. (Xinhua/Sun Weitong)

BANGKOK, July 7 (Xinhua) -- Business leaders from the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Business Advisory Council (ABAC) convene in Thailand's capital Bangkok, urging public-private partnership to maintain sustainable growth amid uncertainties.

The current business environment is becoming more complex, while geopolitical uncertainties continue to affect business decisions, said Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul in a keynote address at the third ABAC meeting in 2026.

These challenges cannot be solved by the governments alone, nor can businesses solve them without governments creating the right environment; thus, public-private partnership is key to sustainable growth, he noted.

"The challenges are considerable yet equally so in our resolve," said Kasemsit Pathomsak, a member of ABAC and Executive Chairman of Merchant Partners Limited in Thailand. He noted that the business community stands ready to work hand in hand with governments to build an Asia Pacific that is more open, connected and prosperous.

The third ABAC meeting in 2026 is scheduled to be held from July 6 to 9.

Kasemsit Pathomsak, a member of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Business Advisory Council (ABAC) and Executive Chairman of Merchant Partners Limited in Thailand, gives an interview to Xinhua in Bangkok, Thailand, on July 7, 2026. (Xinhua/Sun Weitong)