New government urged to go ahead with Thai-Japanese FTA negotiation
MCOT News, Thailand
New government urged to go ahead with Thai-Japanese FTA negotiation
6 October 2006
BANGKOK, Oct 6 (TNA) - A new government should go ahead with a negotiation for a signing of the Thai-Japanese free trade area agreement to boost bilateral trade and investment of both countries, according to a top private-sector executive.
Dej Pattanasettapong, President of the Thai Garment Industry Association, said he was not surprised with news reports that Krirkkrai Jirabhat would become the commerce minister in the new government.
He said Mr. Krirkkrai is a former senior official of the Commerce Ministry, who had competency and a lot of experience in trade negotiations. So, it is not beyond his ability to carry out tasks in the ministry.
But since the new government had only one year to administer the country, he said, it should step up efforts to help develop Thai industries.
What the private sector wanted the government to follow up most is the negotiation for the development of trade and investment relations between Thailand and Japan.
Should both countries be able to sign the FTA agreement, he said, it would benefit the textile and garment industry.
“Thailand is due to have a new government. So is Japan. Because of this, both countries should go ahead with a signing of the FTA pact.
“Currently, Japan is eyeing Asian countries, particularly Thailand, Vietnam and China as its garment production base. So, should Thailand agree to sign the memorandum of understanding, we believe Japan will shift its garment production base into the country,” he said.
