The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) finance ministers' meeting will focus on giving small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) better access to loans via digital channels, says Fiscal Policy Office director-general Pornchai Thiraveja.
The Finance Ministry is scheduled to hold a meeting of Apec senior finance officials from June 22-23 in Khon Kaen province to prepare the agenda for the ministers, who will meet in the same place in October.
Mr Pornchai said one of the topics for discussion is the use of digital technology to facilitate SMEs' access to funding via digital channels.
He said the Bank of Thailand and the Securities and Exchange Commission were considering guidelines to create a secure ecosystem around this kind of digital funding channel for SMEs.
The senior officials are expected to discuss the adoption of technology to create a digital economy, improve countries' revenues, support fiscal policies, stimulate economies, and foster an Apec payment linkage.
Mr Pornchai said Thailand also plans to present progress on its development of documents and proposals regarding the Apec adoption of digital technology to pursue fiscal policies and create a payment linkage among Apec members.
Senior officials are expected to talk about global economic trends and challenges in the region, as well as Apec fiscal policy implementation, he said.
Other topics include public and private funding for sustainable development, carbon neutrality and net-zero emissions, said Mr Pornchai.
