ASEAN Comprehensive Investment Agreement (ACIA) Forum in Thailand & Singapore

April 2016 –Two events to socialise the ASEAN Comprehensive Investment Agreement (ACIA) in the form of ACIA Forums and Seminars were conducted in Bangkok, Thailand on 4-5 April 2016 and in Singapore on 7-8 April 2016. The Forums aim to create awareness and understanding of the ACIA among investors and business peoples, and were followed by the Seminars which aim to develop better understanding of the ACIA provisions for the government officials, particularly the policy-makers and the investment promotion agency officials.

The ACIA Forum in Bangkok was held at Centara Grand at Central Plaza Ladprao Bangkok, and was opened by Ms. Bussarakum Sriratana, Executive Director, Thailand Board of Investment. With the theme “Transforming Investment in Thailand Through ACIA“, the Forum discussed the salient features of ACIA and its potential benefits to Thailand and the region, as well as the experiences of investors in Thailand and ASEAN. 

 

The ACIA Forum in Singapore was held at Grand Copthorne Waterfront Singapore, and was opened by Mr. Wong Toon Joon, 2^nd Director of the Emerging Markets Division, Ministry of Trade and Industry of Singapore. The Forum took the theme of “Regional Positioning of Singapore through ACIA” and discussed the salient features of ACIA and its benefit for Singapore as one of the major investment hub as well as the experience of Singaporean businesses in investing in ASEAN

Both Forums were attended by participants from the government agencies as well as the private sector, including representatives from the business associations and federations in both cities.

These events are jointly organised by the ASEAN Secretariat, the Board of Investment (BOI) of Thailand and the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MITI) of Singapore, respectively, with the support of the Australian Government through the ASEAN Australia Development Cooperation Programme Phase II (AADCP) II. These events are part of a series of similar activities under the ASEAN Coordinating Committee on Investment (CCI) to socialise the ACIA, after being held in Kuala Lumpur (March 2013), Manila (January 2014), Jakarta (April 2015) and Bandar Seri Begawan (May 2015).

 

The ACIA Forum’s programme in Thailand (4-5 April 2016) can be accessed here.

The ACIA Forum's programme in Singapore (7-8 April 2016) can be accessed here.

The ACIA Guidebook for Businesses and Investors in ASEAN was distributed during the Forum and can be accessed from this link.