Thailand to explore FTA talks with India

Trade Negotiations Department deputy directorgeneral Chana Kanaratanadilok said yesterday that the two countries would meet in India in the middle of next month. Thailand wants to know whether there has been progress in negotiations for an AseanIndia freetrade agreement.

"It is likely that Asean will stop negotiating a bilateral freetrade pact with India," he said, adding that India has a strong stance on and stricter conditions for tariff reduction.

 However, the failure of talks with Asean would pave the way for Thailand to negotiate further with India.

Chana added that the two countries would hold further talks on the remaining 5,000 product items following the ThailandIndia FTA's earlyharvest scheme, covering 82 product items, which has been in place since September 1, 2004.

- The Nation

Petchanet Pratruangkrai