Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha today pledged to push for greater connectivity to strengthen business and investments in ASEAN when Thailand assumes the chairmanship of the regional grouping next year.

Speaking at the ASEAN Business and Investment Summit in Singapore, Gen Prayut said as chairman of ASEAN Thailand will work to make the regional grouping an outstanding destination for trade and investment.

Thailand will take over the ASEAN chairmanship from Singapore in 2019.

“It is a great honour for Thailand to assume the chairmanship of ASEAN in 2019 after Singapore,” he said.

“I give you my word that Thailand will continue to push for connectivity among ASEAN members in both public and private sectors in order to strengthen businesses and investments in Asean, making Asean an outstanding destination for trade and investment for the global business community,” he added.

Gen Prayut is in Singapore for the annual ASEAN Summit which has on its sidelines the two-day business conference organized annually by the ASEAN Business Advisory Council.

The Thai prime minister said the private sector is the key driver for economic growth, while the government focuses on creating a conducive environment and facilitating the business sector.

He urged the public sector and the private sector to find common strengths and capacities “so we can move forward together with strength, sustainability in a comprehensive way”.

He also said that he hopes ASEAN countries can continue to work together and drive forward the global economy “with people at the centre without leaving anyone behind and looking forward to the future”.