Govt lines up 343 projects, ‘mini FTAs’ to boost exports next year

By The Nation

 

 

The Commerce Ministry will deploy a total of 343 projects to promote exports next year, Commerce Minister Jurin Laksanawisit said on Wednesday.

 

Of the total, 135 projects will operate in Thailand and 208 overseas. The latter include an online export negotiation and promotion of Thai products via platforms including Amazon, Lotte, Tmall, BigBasket and Kha-Leang.

 

Jurin said Thailand will also accelerate negotiations on international trade agreements to lower barriers for Thai exports.

 

"The ministry has finished studying the Thailand-European Union Free Trade Agreement [FTA] and is still studying FTAs with the United Kingdom, Eurasia and Asean Free Trade Area [AFTA], as well as the Asean-Canada FTA," he said.

 

Meanwhile, “mini FTAs” which the ministry and private sector will negotiate with provinces, states or cities will enable Thai entrepreneurs to expand trading and investment.

 

"We will sign mini FTA agreements with three cities, namely China's Hainan, India's Telangana and South Korea's Gyeonggi soon.”

 

Jurin said the country's export sector was recovering gradually after falling sharply in the second quarter due to the Covid-19 outbreak. He expected Thai exports to drop by 7 per cent this year but rise by 4 per cent next year.

 

"The ministry is cooperating with both government and private sectors to promote the exports," he said, adding that Thailand was the first country in the world to introduce hybrid trading.

 

Meanwhile the ministry was working to solve problems of border trade and container shortages as soon as possible.

 

"The second Covid-19 outbreak caused border trade with Myanmar, Laos and Cambodia in October to contract 40 per cent, 21 per cent and 17 per cent, respectively," he added.

 

Source: https://www.nationthailand.com/news/30398979

 

-- © Copyright The Nation Thailand 2020-12-03

 

- Whatever you're going through, the Samaritans are here for you

- Follow Thaivisa on LINE for breaking COVID-19 updates

5 hours ago, webfact said:

The Commerce Ministry will deploy a total of 343 projects to promote exports next year, Commerce Minister Jurin Laksanawisit said on Wednesday.

Or just weaken the baht?

Sure, good luck with selling your stuff, with a way to expensive baht , to those dirty falang.

Be nice if Jurin would negotiate lower import taxes for incoming goods