Department of International Trade Negotiations The 2021 work plan will accelerate the process of preparing for the parliament to ratify the RCEP by the middle of this year. Forward on-off And improve 13 FTA negotiations, establish FTA funds and develop trade monitoring system Armed and healed affected Thai entrepreneurs
Mrs. Oramon Supthawetham Director-General, Department of International Trade Negotiations Disclose the work plan of the Department of International Trade Negotiations for the year 2021 responding to the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce (Mr. Jurin Laksanawisit) on international trade negotiations. There are four key action plans as follows: (1) Expedite the internal process to propose the Parliament to ratify the RCEP agreement by the middle of this year; (2) Continue to open, close and improve the negotiations of the Free Trade Agreement (FTA), a total of 13 editions (3) Develop mechanisms to help and heal those affected by the FTA and (4) continue to build understanding of farmers, SMEs, private and public sectors. On the utilization and preparation of FTA impacts
Ms Aormon said the accelerated implementation of the FTAs was to open FTA negotiations with five key trading partners: the European Union (EU), the European Free Trade Association (EFTA comprised of Switzerland, Norway, Iceland. Land and Liechtenstein), United Kingdom (UK), Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU comprising Kazakhstan, Belarus, Armenia, Kyrgyzstan and Russia) and ASEAN-Canada. Including the revision of the FTA Agreement under the framework of ASEAN 4 issues: ASEAN-China, ASEAN-India ASEAN-South Korea And ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand To further liberalize items that have not yet reduced or canceled the tariffs between them. And raise the level of agreement to be up to date In accordance with the current environment and commercial patterns And quickly close four pending FTA negotiations: Turkey, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and BIMSTEC (comprising Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand).
Ms. Ormon added that the Department still attaches great importance to the development of mechanisms to help and remedy those affected by the FTA. Two main issues are: 1) Establishing an FTA fund by accelerating discussions with the Comptroller General’s Department and related sectors. In order to draft the FTA Fund Application Act, propose to the Working Group to consider guidelines for the Fund to help those affected by the free trade. To propose the policy level further and 2) develop a trade monitoring system For surveillance And tracking the import-export statistics of Thailand and trading partners This will benefit the operators in the country. If it is necessary to adopt safeguard and anti-dumping (AD) measures to heal industries impacted by massive spills. Or dumping of imported goods
In addition, the Department will work with partners such as the National Farmers Council, cooperative groups and community enterprises. Continuing to build understanding with stakeholders Both farmers, SMEs, the private sector and the public sector Regarding the benefits and impacts of the FTA negotiations, the emphasis will be on organizing training and seminars both on-the-fly. And online format
Thailand currently has 14 FTAs (including RCEP) with 18 countries: ASEAN, China, Japan, South Korea, Peru, Chile, India, Hong Kong, Australia and New Zealand.In 2019, Thailand’s trade with 18 countries was valued at US $ 302,991.6 million, accounting for 62.8% of the trade value. Thailand and the world For the period of January to November 2020, trade between Thailand and 18 countries was valued at US $ 250,721.8 million, accounting for 62.8% of the value of Thai and world trade. With Thai exports worth US $ 128,221.2 million Major exports such as automobiles, accessories and components Jewelry and Gems Computer Equipment and components, rubber and plastic products, etc. and Thailand imported worth 122,500.6 million US dollars. Imported goods such as machinery and components, crude oil, electrical machinery and components, chemicals and printed circuit boards, etc.
Department of International Trade Negotiations Ministry of Commerce
January 8, 2021
Source: Department of International Trade Negotiations
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