Top Thai team to Russia to boost trade



BANGKOK: -- Deputy Prime Minister Gen Prawit Wongsuwan yesterday led a top public and private sector delegation on an official visit to Russia and Belarus with plans to promote trade and investment as well as to push for possible negotiations concerning the planned Free Trade Area (FTA).

Gen Prawit was accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusriphitak on the official visit from February 23 – 26.

This visit is in preparation for Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha’s official visit scheduled for May 18 – 19 where he will be attending the Russia – ASEAN summit.

This meeting is an important one as it also represents the 20 year anniversary of Thailand’s membership in the Russia – ASEAN partnership.

Commerce Minister Aphiradee Tantraphorn stated that 60 members from the Thai private sector were on the trip.

They will be negotiating trade and investment agreements as well as to see if any obstacles to trade can be overcome. This is especially so for Thai livestock produce exports to Russia where in the past it took a long time before they were approved.

Talks will be aimed at finding ways to possibly shorten protocols so that Thai livestock produce can enter the country much faster, she said.

In the past bi-lateral trade between Russia and Thailand amounted to approximately US$2.4 billion a year with Russia enjoying a significant balance of trade advantage.

At present however Russia’s economy has stalled due to the massive slump in global oil prices.

This in turn will pose a certain degree of difficulty for accurate valuation of trade between both nations.

On top of this, the team will also be focusing on negotiating Free Trade Area trade agreements with the Eurasian Economic Union which is made up of Russia Federation, the Republic of Belarus, the Republic Kazakhstan, the Republic of Armenia and the Kyrgyzstan Republic.

In all, these countries contain a total of 180 million in population and Russia has expressed its desire for Thailand to enter into negotiations with its members.

It is expected that when the FTA is officially established, both countries will enjoy mutual benefits, she added.

Source: http://englishnews.thaipbs.or.th/content/152198


-- Thai PBS 2016-02-24

Is this wise, I thought Russia was broke, declining oil revenues and sanctions from the West, perhaps they have not heard.

Top Thai Team, the mind boggles !

I wonder if there will be the usual fiddle to take the wives or female companions or is the ' chopping ' in cold Moscow not tempting enough ?

Top Thai Team, the mind boggles !

I wonder if there will be the usual fiddle to take the wives or female companions or is the ' chopping ' in cold Moscow not tempting enough ?

And the crates of Vodka to bring back - souvenirs you understand

Top Thai Team, the mind boggles !

I wonder if there will be the usual fiddle to take the wives or female companions or is the ' chopping ' in cold Moscow not tempting enough ?

And the crates of Vodka to bring back - souvenirs you understand

I'll drink to that.

You must give these dolts credit for trying to pass off Russian visits for trade purposes.........just a continuation of the sham!

Tanks and commissions are the first things that come to mind.......Nonna dolls are not on their agenda!

Edited February 24, 201610 yr by ChrisY1

I say good! Hopefully in order to trade with Russia Thailand will have to do away with all GMO crap.

I don't think Russia wants to own Thailand, not sure I would say the same the USA Inc.

Top Thai team to Russia to boost trade

The "top Thais" have left the country, ...not sure if that's good or bad... probably no impact whatsoever.

One thing is for sure there will be a big press conference telling Thais they saved the day, only words of course.

What an upgrade. From G to G deals to RR (rotten rice) to T (tanks) deals.

Just in case you need it next year this (Кобра Голд) is Cobra Gold in Cyrillic script.

It lloks like Prayut will do FTA's with any country in an effort to avoid the TPP. The FTA with Russia won't come near the trade Thailand could garner under TPP. But then TPP wouldn't work for trading commodities like rice and rubber for off-budget weapons.

With Malaysia joining the Saudis in the Syrian war and the build up to WWIII progressing rapidly, the Thais will be wanting to ensure their southern border is secure and they need the Russians and Chinese to commit to it.

Yes,More illegal dancers are needed on walking street in Pattaya.

If I would send a "Top Thai Team" I would not choose any General.......

I hope they hammer out a deal to process exported cows faster. This apparently is a big issue. Does anyone have a Thai exports pie chart with the "cows" slice clearly labelled?

top Thai team...

In 2 years they have proven that they do not possess such a thing.