Asean-Canada trade, investment pact closer
The Nation | June 25, 2009
Asean-Canada trade, investment pact closer
By PETCHANET PRATRUANGKRAI
Asean and Canada will soon finalise consideration of a Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA), preparing the way for free-trade agreement negotiations.
Nuntawan Sakuntanaga, director-general of the Trade Negotiations Department, said yesterday the agreement would promote trade, service and investment growth between Asean and Canada.
"It would be particularly beneficial for closer cooperation between the government and private enterprise, in particular small and medium-sized enterprises," she said.
Nuntawan said the TIFA would focus on technology development and exchange of know-how in industry, tightening cooperation in six main areas.
First, to expand it at senior official level; second, the promotion of trade and investment, focusing on SMEs; and third, working with the World Trade Organisation and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum.
The fourth area is to increase competitiveness on trade and investment, in particular customs and cross-border trading control, and on knowledge of trade and investment regulations. The fifth is to promote private enterprises, and the sixth is to expand cooperation on trade and investment policies.
