About 15 members attended the Council's Annual General Meeting. The year 2013 saw Thailand's economy performed well, given the uncertainties in the world, while the government proceeded with reforms in such areas as education. The Council played its part in keeping members informed about the changing political and economic situation in the Kingdom and the affects of global events on Hong Kong and the Mainland. We also continued to develop ties with other organizations.

Mr. Horst Geicke, Mr William Chao, Mr Yu Yee Lam and Mr Benjamin Yiu Chung Cha were re-elected as Directors for the ensuing year. Simultaneously, Ernst & Young was re-appointed the Council's Honorary Auditors. The current Board of Directors consists of 12 directors:

1) Mr. Bernard Chan, GBS, JP, President of Asia Financial Group

2) Mr. William Chao, Managing Director of Wing Wah Limited

3) Mr. Tom V. Chatjaval, Founder and Chairman & CEO of TVC Management Ltd

4) Mr. Kenneth Gaw, President & Managing Principal of Gaw Capital

5) Mr. Horst Geicke, Chairman and Co-Founder of Pacific Alliance Group, VinaCapital Group

6) M. Clayton T. Hebbard, Consultant of Grant Thornton

7) Dr. Harry Lee, SBS, JP, Managing Director of TAL Apparel Limited

8) Mr. Willy Lin, Managing Director of Milo's Knitwear (International) Ltd

9) Mrs. Katherine Ngan, JP, Executive Director of May Cheong Toy Products Fty Ltd

10) Mr. Raphael Tong, Managing Director of Shanghai Mister Softee Food Products Co Limited

11) Mr. Benjamin Lam, Executive Director & Deputy CEO of Pacific Century Premium Development Ltd

12) Mr. Benjamin Cha, Executive Director of HKR International Ltd

It was our Council's pleasure and honour to have the opportunity to co-organise with The Royal Thai Consulate-General, a luncheon & panel discussion on the "ASEAN - Hong Kong Free Trade Agreement: Challenges and Opportunities", right after our Annual General Meeting on 15 September 2014. The Panel Discussion provided a platform for stakeholders in the public and private sectors to exchange views on potential challenges and opportunities arising from the ASEAN - V Hong Kong Free Trade Agreement (FTA). Currently under negotiation, the prospects for an FTA among these giant economies bear significant implications on the future of the business community in the region. Participants from ASEAN and Hong Kong updated with the latest developments of the negotiation, research and studies, and experiences on the benefits derived from and challenges posed by the FTA.