Japan asks Thailand for higher steel import quota
By Digital Content

BANGKOK, Sept 25 -- Japan said it wants Thailand to increase the quota of steel imports with tariff discounts to feed its offshore automobile production.

Hisamichi Koga, president of the Japanese Chamber of Commerce (JCC) in Bangkok, and Masayasu Hosumi, president of Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) in Bangkok, asked Thai Industry Minister Chakramon Phasukavanich to increase the quota for Japanese steel imports to support automotive production that is expected to rise 25 per cent from 2 million units this year to 2.5 million next year.

They referred to the steel import quota with tariff discounts under the Japan-Thailand Economic Partnership Agreement (JTEPA).

At present, 50-60 per cent of the steel imports that are used enjoy the tariff privilege.

In response, the minister told the JCC and JETRO Bangkok heads to ask the Japanese government to first fully comply with the terms under the JTEPA.

In addition, JCC and JETRO want the Thai Industrial Standards Institute to relax its inspection of steel production standards in Japan. The institute requires the annual inspection.

Mr Chakramon said he would have the institute conduct the inspection every two years instead. The response satisfied the two Japanese oganizations, he said.

The minister added that the JCC and JETRO representatives confirmed Japanese operators in Thailand are interested in increasing their investment in the country, especially in the automotive industry. (MCOT online news)


-- TNA 2014-09-25

Japanese trade representatives seeks higher quota for steel imports from Japan

BANGKOK, 25 September 2014 (NNT) – The Japan External Trade Organization Thailand on Wednesday called on the Ministry of Industry to allow more imports of special-grade steel under a non-tariffs scheme, saying the additional steel would be needed for an expected increase of car production in Thailand.

Hisamichi Koga, president of the Japan Chamber of Commerce, Bangkok and Masayasu Hosumi, president of Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) Thailand, met Industry Minister Chakramon Phasukvanich to request the raising of the quota for untaxed imports of steel from Japan. The Japanese trade representatives reasoned that car production in Thailand is expected to reach 2.5 million vehicles in 2015, compared to 2.3 million in the previous year.

Minister Chakramon, however, viewed that there was insufficient cause to raise the non-tariff quota, because the government quota already exceeded real imports by 40-50%. Raising the quota, in his view, might spur the problem of steel hoarding. The minister also noted that Japan has not been transferring technologies and know-how to Thai personnel as much as it should under the Japan–Thailand Economic Partnership Agreement (JTEPA). He said he would like JETRO to take this matter to the Japanese government before more discussions were made on expanding the steel free-import quota.

-- NNT 2014-09-25

Thailand has steel companies. Funny imports of such heavy material is cheaper. Did I niss something?

Thailand has steel companies. Funny imports of such heavy material is cheaper. Did I niss something?

Thailand does not have the capability to produce the quality of steel for automotive (car body) applications.

We don't want radio-active steel from japan.

Better import from China, and it is closer to Thailand too.

Thailand has steel companies. Funny imports of such heavy material is cheaper. Did I niss something?

Thailand does not have the capability to produce the quality of steel for automotive (car body) applications.

Then why aren't there people working to increase Thailands steel output? There's billions to be made and there're plenty of rich investors in Thailand.