FTA set to be on agenda at Thai-Bhutanese trade meeting in May

The development follows a visit by Thai delegates to Bhutan from April 3-6, which included a discussion between Thai trade representative Nalinee Thavisin and Bhutan's Minister of Foreign Affairs and External Trade Lyonpo DN Dhungyel.

"The Thai government expects to host the Thai-Bhutanese FTA talks during the fifth Joint Trade Committee meeting from May 15-18," Nalinee said.

She affirmed that Thailand and Bhutan view an FTA as an important mechanism to drive the economy. "Bhutan has asked Thailand to allowing the export of its agricultural products, such as apples, potatoes, oranges and honey," she said.

She added that Thailand's export products to Bhutan included computers and their components, clothes, wheat products, ready-to-eat foods, frozen and dried fruits, and microwave ovens.

Nalinee said Thailand has also planned to allow Bhutanese people to access an electronic visa application system in a bid to facilitate their travel to the country.

"Thailand is an important destination for Bhutanese tourists, and 20,356 people visited the country last year," she said, adding that the number was expected to increase.

She added that Bhutan had invited Thailand to participate in a meeting on April 22-23 on "Sustainable Finance for Tiger Landscape" to discuss ways to preserve tigers. "Both countries have committed to collaborate in all aspects as partners," she added.

Thailand and Bhutan established diplomatic relations on November 14, 1989.

Bhutan regards Thailand as a trade and tourism partner, while also supporting Thailand on the global stage.

According to the Thai Commerce Ministry, trade between Thailand and Bhutan was valued at $18.78 (680 million baht) last year.