Department of International Trade Negotiations Unveils plans for negotiations to prepare FTA in 65, aiming to expedite the closing of outstanding FTA deals with Turkey and Pakistan Ready to continue to open FTA talks with the EU and EFTA ASEAN-Canada Division Prepare for the first meeting
February 16, 2022 Mrs. Oramon Sapthaweetham Director-General of the Department of International Trade Negotiations Revealed the plan to negotiate a free trade agreement (FTA) of Thailand in 2022 that the Department is preparing to fully negotiate a free trade agreement. According to the policy of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce (Mr. Jurin Laksanawisit) to accelerate the creation of handicaps for Thai exports and utilizing FTA to create trade and investment opportunities for Thai entrepreneurs
Pending FTA talks with Turkey Thailand is preparing to host the 8th round of the meeting during March – April, where it will discuss the opening of the product market and prepare the pending FTA clause to make the most progress. Negotiations are aimed at the conclusion of this year, while FTA negotiations with Pakistan are almost complete. Remaining in the opening of the market, which the department is in the process of making an appointment with Pakistan To expedite the meeting to discuss matters that are still pending as soon as possible. In addition, the ASEAN-Canada FTA negotiations has agreed to open negotiations in November 2021, where both sides are in the process of defining a negotiation plan and is expected to schedule the first round of meetings soon
For the opening of two new FTA negotiations, namely the FTA with the European Union (EU) and the FTA with the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), the DIP discussed with the Thai relevant sectors to draft a framework for negotiations. which is almost finished and is in the process of discussing with the negotiating partner To document the expectations of the negotiations which will bring such documents and draft negotiation framework to the Cabinet for approval to open further negotiations
for discussions with the EU in the process of understanding each other’s expectations The discussions with Efta have progressed well. and is expected to propose to the Cabinet to consider opening negotiations at the end of the first quarter or the beginning of the second quarter of this year.
“Currently, Thailand has 14 FTAs with 18 trading partners, namely ASEAN, Japan, China, South Korea, India, Australia, New Zealand, Peru, Chile and Hong Kong, accounting for 63.5% of Thailand’s trade with the world. It will help expand trade and investment opportunities for Thai entrepreneurs. This will gain trade advantages from trading partner countries reducing tariff barriers and trade barriers,” added Ms. Oramon.
In 2021, trade between Thailand and the EU was worth 39,872 million US dollars. The EU is Thailand’s fifth largest trading partner after ASEAN, China, Japan and the United States. accounted for 7.40% of Thailand’s trade with the world. The trade between Thailand and EFTA is valued at $7,506 million. It accounts for 1.39% of Thailand’s trade with the world. For trade between Thailand and Turkey, it is worth 1,646 million US dollars, representing 0.30% of Thailand’s trade with the world. And trade between Thailand and Pakistan is worth 1,817 million US dollars, representing 0.34% of Thailand’s trade with the world.
