Thailand Pushes For Liberalization In Areas Where The Country Has Potential To Compete

[Jai Dee]

Thailand pushes for liberalization in areas where the country has potential to compete.

Director of the Analysis and Evaluation Office of the Department of Trade Negotiation, Sinad Somkhan-nguen (สินาด โสมขันเงิน) insisted that the authorities will implement deals in free trade agreement (FTA) talks, especially those concerning agricultural products, only in areas where Thailand has competitiveness first.

Mr. Sinad said that many Thai agricultural products will benefit from FTA deals as Thai products, such as rubber, rice, sea food, fruit and vegetables, and canned food, potential to compete in world market. He added that FTAs will also lessen trade barriers, while prompting Thai agricultural sector to adjust itself to prepare for more intense competition with imported foreign products. He said that government agencies have prepared measures and assistance for farmers who have to undergo this transition period. He added that Vietnam and China stand as leading competitors for Thailand, as the two countries have cheap labor and raw materials.

Mr. Sinad said that Thai delegates push for liberalization in areas where Thailand has potential and export channels first, while in areas where adjustments are needed, Thailand will ask for a timeframe for structural adjustments, which can extend from 10-15 years, depending on each sector.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 24 Febuary 2006