Public investment, together with the government’s strategy to attract investments in industries for the future, will step up Thailand’s competitiveness and lay a strong foundation for sustainable growth. Thailand’s external position remains strong with large current account surplus of around 11% of GDP1 and high level of international reserves, roughly more than 3.5 times of the short-term external debt. Financial conditions remain accommodative, and business financing through credit and capital market continues to expand. Furthermore, our capital account liberalisation and recent efforts to reform foreign exchange regulations will help create a 1 Source: Office of the National Economic and Social Development Board Gross Domestic Product: Q2/2017 Report (page 33) http://www.nesdb.go.th/ewt_dl_link.php?nid=5166&filename=QGDP_report  2  conducive environment for financial market development and financial connectivity in the region. Our regional efforts towards deeper economic integration provide immense opportunities for Thailand and the ASEAN region. ASEAN is projected to grow at 4.8% in 20172, and is home to more than 600 million people3. According to the Asian Development Bank, the share of ASEAN’s middle class is estimated to increase to 65% by 2030. The growing middle class with increased purchasing power inevitably serves to boost demand and productivity for the regional economies over the medium to long term. In addition, increased regional connectivity has led to expanding trade and investment prospects. Infrastructure investment is gaining momentum throughout the region. UNCTAD has estimated infrastructure investment needs in ASEAN at $ billion per year through to 20254.

While striving for economic growth, we must not forget that inclusive growth is a prerequisite for sustainable development. I could not agree more with the United Nations’ 2030 agenda for sustainable development that “no one should be left behind”6. Thus, various measures to promote financial inclusion have been implemented and many more are in the pipeline, to ensure that everyone has access to financial services at fair prices. More importantly, empowering people with financial literacy and financial planning capability is an important element of inclusive growth. Ladies and gentlemen, Sustainable economic growth requires concerted effort from all parties involved. Initiatives from the banking sector alone will not be sufficient. The capital market and exchange can and should play an important role. I am very pleased to see that the agenda of this year’s WFE conference is well in line with the aforementioned three imperatives. It is encouraging that the exchange industry is working together to find meaningful ways to boost productivity through fostering growth and embracing new technology; build immunity from mitigating emerging risks and building resilience; and promote inclusivity via increasing retail investor participation. WFE has shown, once again, its commitment to support the development of fair and efficient markets, embracing the role of exchanges to facilitate the efficient allocation of resources and thus promote the real economy and the well-being of the people at large. Ladies and Gentlemen, Our world is rapidly changing.