high technology machinery, employee training as well as research and development. in order to support this, the public sector and bank of thailand can improve accessibility to sources of funds, especially for smes, and lower the costs of long - term investment. ladies and gentlemen, the bank of thailand pursues economic growth as part of its commitment to sustainable well - being. economic growth, as discussed today, is maximized by keeping growth close to potential as well as lifting growth potential itself. the central bank can contribute to growth potential by stabilizing the overall economy. the bank of thailand has looked after growth, price, and financial stability during the downturn, leaving the economy on a more confident track to recovery. as for raising growth potential, cooperation of all sectors is needed, while the central bank provides a favorable financial environment which is prerequisite. in the football game of the economy, the central bank acts as center back. in order to safeguard stability during the recent circumstances, we have played a proactive role due to high economic uncertainty. now that political and economic clarity is higher, the central bank will play a supportive role. at the back we can clearly see the whole field and choose a path to support the team ’ s offense, especially now that the government has gotten back to its position as the play maker to assist the private sector to reach the goal of achieving growth potential. thank you. bis central bankers ’ speeches

jean - claude trichet : europe at the crossroads speech by mr jean - claude trichet, president of the european central bank, at a dinner on the occasion of the frankfurt european banking congress, frankfurt am main, 20 november 2003. * * * ladies and gentlemen, it is a great pleasure to speak to you tonight. this is a special occasion for me. it is the first time that i address - as president of the european central bank - the european banking community. as european bankers, you are of great importance for our work at the ecb and - if i may say so - the ecb is of relevance for your work. it is good to be here tonight with you and it is nice to see many familiar faces and good friends. thank you very much for the invitation. i am particularly grateful that this dinner takes place so close to my new home, frankfurt. please let me, in the presence of the mayor, mrs petra roth, express my gratitude and admiration to this city. as member of the ecb ’ s governing council and previously of the emi council, i have been coming to frankfurt regularly over the last nine years. by and by this city has become dear to me. it is a pleasure to see to what extent frankfurt accommodates its banking community. the city provides us with the amenities and attractions of a truly modern and international life. “ identify europe ” is the title of the congress that provides the occasion for our dinner tonight. it is a title which reminds me of essays that i had to write at school, such as “ characterise the renaissance ” or “ explain the rise of the roman empire ”. “ identify europe ” comes as an imperative - almost an order. it urges us to define what europe is about. there are, of course, many ways of approaching this question. we can define europe geographically, culturally, historically or economically. please allow me to reflect upon the issue from an institutional perspective. as president of the european central bank, i will interpret the term europe as the european union. thus, i will take the title of the congress as an encouragement to discuss the eu ’ s main characteristics. i think it is the right time to reflect upon the key features of the eu. europe stands at the crossroads. it needs to take the right decisions now in order to maintain its major qualities in the coming years. what are the main tasks facing the eu? first, the union needs to give itself an institutional foundation - a solid constitution -