Thailand hastens push to clinch ‘gateway’ FTAs
Deputy Commerce Minister Sinit Lertkrai has ordered officials to speed up talks on free trade agreements with Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Turkey. The three countries serve as gateways for Thai trade to South Asia, Europe, Africa and the Middle East.
The department is also seeking to expand trade and investment opportunities with large trading partners by upgrading Asean FTAs with China, India and South Korea, Sinit said on Thursday.
Meanwhile, Thai negotiators are preparing to reopen talks on FTAs with the European Union, the European Free Trade Association and Canada in a bid to find new markets for Thai exports.
Sirit also urged the creation of an FTA fund to support businesses and activities impacted by the FTAs. He said Thai farmers, entrepreneurs and SMEs would be given information on how to take advantage of the FTAs with major trading partners such as Asean, China, Japan, South Korea, India, Australia and New Zealand.
