The scheduled visit to Japan is to show Thailand's strong commitment to signing a bilateral free-trade agreement. The two countries had to put off the signing ceremony, previously fixed for April 3, due to the political confusion in the Kingdom at the time.

Somkid said yesterday that the

Thai-Japan FTA agreement signing ceremony date would be set after the completion of Thailand's general election on October 15.

"Our government has a commit-

ment to continue with free-trade agreements. We have to establish a close relationship with trading partners to show that we are interested in advancing the pacts," he said.

Somkid, who is also caretaker commerce minister, will lead 40-60 SMEs

to Japan before September to further

close ties and economic cooperation.

Somkid also said he planned trips to countries in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.

With a road map for creating strategic partnerships with many countries, Somkid will visit France, Italy, Germany, the United Kingdom, Kuwait and India during the remaining term of the caretaker government.

Somkid will lead 60-80 SMEs to France and Italy on September 17-20. This will be part of the celebration of the 320th anniversary of the Thailand-France relationship.

Uttama Savanayana, caretaker vice minister of commerce, said the ministry would cooperate with the Thai Cham-

ber of Commerce, the Federation of

Thai Industries, the Thai Bankers Association and the Board of Investment to select 40-60 SMEs to join its travel

mission. 

The ministry will select SMEs with the best performance in sectors matching the demand in targeted markets, he said.

Priority sectors are jewellery, textiles and garments, leather and leather goods, furniture and home decoration, rubber, entertainment and content, and electronics and electronic parts.

Petchanet Pratruangkrai

The Nation