Denmark keen for EU-Thailand free-trade talks to follow poll

By WICHIT CHAITRONG 
THE NATION

 

Uffe Wolffhechel, the Danish ambassador to Thailand

 

DENMARK is looking forward to the start of free-trade negotiations between Thailand and the European Union(EU) after the Kingdom’s general election is held next year, says Uffe Wolffhechel, the Danish ambassador to Thailand.

 

In marking the 160th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Thailand and Denmark with a discussion about future cooperation between the two nations, Wolffhechel, said they have a lot to gain from each other. Denmark has much to offer in the way of high technology, for example, while there are also untapped business opportunities in such sectors as food processing, tourism, clean energy and innovation.

 

There are more than 100 Danish companies now established in Thailand, he noted, and they employ more than 50,000 people.

 

Danish companies run many kinds of businesses in Thailand, including service and consultancy, machinery, manufacturing and engineering, transportation, logistics and shipping, healthcare and life sciences, energy and environment, as well as design and creative industries, according to the Danish Embassy in Bangkok. Danish exports to Thailand last year were worth Bt10.7 billion and Danish imports from Thailand topped Bt13.7 billion, resulting in a trade surplus for Thailand.

 

Apart from trade, the two countries could increase cooperation on sustainable development, climate change, education collaboration and environmental production, said Wolffhechel.

 

In the past Thailand and Denmark had many development projects in Thailand, with the Thai-Denmark milk project best know. The milk has become a strong brand here.

 

Thailand has quickly developed its economy and can now stand on its own feet, he said.

 

Wolffhechel said Denmark supports free trade and wants to reduce trade barriers between Thailand and the European Union, which counts Denmark as a member. “We all would like to see it happening. It is a process, there are some political issues to it about how soon Thailand returns to democracy. [When democracy returns] the EU would be ready to start the process to have a free trade agreement,” he said. 

 

He said that there were technicalities involved and it could take a few years to get through the negotiations before a free trade agreement could be reached. He noted that Denmark and EU had developed from free trade and globalisation, and so have a great interest in [achieving] free trade with Thailand.

 

Among the Asean countries, only Vietnam and Singapore have so far signed a free trade agreement with the EU. The EU suspended talks with Thailand when the military overthrew the civilian government in 2014. 

 

The junta lifted the political ban on Tuesday , paving the way for a general election on February 24. 

 

Asked about his opinion about a trade war between the United States and China, Wolffhechel said Denmark, like Thailand, has a small and open economy and strongly supported free trade.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/Economy/30360287

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2018-12-13

Good, but I do wonder what definition of 'free trade' is. I hope Denmark makes a decent wine, red or white. Heck, it doesn't have to be all that good, drinkable would be considered.

36 minutes ago, IAMHERE said:

Good, but I do wonder what definition of 'free trade' is. I hope Denmark makes a decent wine, red or white. Heck, it doesn't have to be all that good, drinkable would be considered.

Wine from Denmark - nice one buddy LOL … cheaper Lurpak butter is what you can hope for in stead of this insane prices like 270 baht for 250g and maybe some decent cheese as most cheese here are so bland

EU Thailand free trade is not going to happen for another 50 years. Denmark should make it' s own trade agreements, but it is bound by EU rules.

Not that it matters very much, the only half-decent thing coming out of Denmark is milk, but that' s mainly because it is produced by Dutch cows.

No such thing as free trade with Thailand... customs will charge on entry and all outlets will triple the price as it's foreign made... 

I always look at the prices of commodities in our local BIG C and smile when it's imported & see the overly inflated prices.

Often surpassing the price you would pay for the same item in your home country!

6 hours ago, webfact said:

Thailand has quickly developed its economy and can now stand on its own feet

No, that would be the on feet of the Chinese.

1 hour ago, IAMHERE said:

Good, but I do wonder what definition of 'free trade' is. I hope Denmark makes a decent wine, red or white. Heck, it doesn't have to be all that good, drinkable would be considered.

And one must wonder what Denmark's definition of democracy is. Do they really think that Thailand will be a true democracy by mid next year?

Have they heard of Thai-style democracy? Does this count?

Are they aware of the 20 year plan (of course they are)?

Wishful thinking Denmark; Brussels will let you know if and when you can do that. The EU is still not impressed with Thailand's record on human rights, particularly in the fishing industry. A free trade agreement between the EU and Thailand is still on hold.

Until Thailand fixes the issue of human rights to the EU's satisfaction they won't open the door for free trade, regardless of whether Thailand is a "democracy" or not. 

https://www.euractiv.com/section/global-europe/news/human-rights-in-thailand-no-improvement-no-trade-deal/

So denmark thinks they can start this without the EU? And if the EU will do it that they get the sole rights to export milkproducts to Thailand?

 

I have never tried the danish-thai products, Meiji milk is the good and i don't even try anything else.

 

Also i wonder what they import from thailand...

 

But it would be nice to see european products for the european price or lower in thailand...it will never happen though...

1 hour ago, hotchilli said:

Often surpassing the price you would pay for the same item in your home country!

You mean paying the European price multiplied by 3-5 times....

Excellent news. The best lager, bacon and cheese imported . . . against exports of a retiring junta regime who've lost so much face they're queuing up at Swampy departures.

9 hours ago, webfact said:

Thailand has quickly developed its economy and can now stand on its own feet, he said. 

Oh, hold me up, somebody.

2 hours ago, fruitman said:

Also i wonder what they import from thailand...

Ivory, of course . . . and a tonne or two of buIIshit if they're lucky.

Free trade agreement 5555

1 hour ago, Ossy said:

Ivory, of course . . . and a tonne or two of buIIshit if they're lucky.

Ohh i see, ivory, coral, kratom, marihuana with seeds, fishfillet with skin,bones, medicines, chemical durians, fishsauce and tons of rice of course since Danes eat that daily...????