Pakistan, Thailand to sign FTA by May 2017

BANGKOK: -- Pakistan and Thailand have agreed to conclude a free trade agreement (FTA) by May next year, which the two countries plan to use as a springboard for gaining access in the ASEAN and South and Central Asian regions respectively.

An official source said that consensus on FTA was developed at the meeting of the Pakistan-Thailand Trade Negotiating Committee held on January 25 to 27. Both countries want to conclude the first phase of FTA by May 2017 and it would cover trade in goods only with substantial coverage.

Pakistan wants to have FTA with Thailand to enhance its access to ASEAN region. The country already has an FTA with Malaysia in the same region, which has been operational since 2008 as well as a PTA with Indonesia active since September 2013. Government quarters believe that in addition to textile and clothing sector, agriculture and food group products can also be easily exported to the ASEAN region.

Full story: http://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2016/01/31/business/pakistan-thailand-to-sign-fta-by-may-2017/

-- Pakistan Today 2016-02-01

"which the two countries plan to use as a springboard for gaining access in the ASEAN and South and Central Asian regions respectively."

The AEC facilitates the implementation of trade, services, investment, and other reforms necessary in each ASEAN Member States, thereby improving each country’s location offers. At the regional level, the AEC is critical in developing the ASEAN as a region and making it one of the most competitive economic blocs in the world.

AEC will operate as an economic stand-alone legal entity something like the EU. I would think Pakistan would have to negotiate trade with AEC representatives in order that the whole ASEAN community interests are addressed and safeguarded. So while any country is free to make a trade agreement with any other country regardless of any commitment to regional economic trade associations. such individual agreements cannot serve as a backdoor or springboard to any regional economic bloc.

What does Pakistan have that Thailand needs? Hmm let me see oh yes poppies.

What does Pakistan have that Thailand needs? Hmm let me see oh yes poppies.

Could be the Taliban are in need of new pick-ups from Thailand, the "hub of pick-ups". Fair trade, poppy extract for Hiluxes. The Taliban can make their own brackets to go on the back for the 50mm machine guns.

next we need a free trade agreement between Thailand and Bangla Desh, with special provisions for the free movement of slave labour and unlimited offshore fishing.