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Published on February 1, 2008

This was the conclusion at a recent public seminar organised by the Trade Negotiations Department on Asean leaders' plans to achieve market liberalisation under the community's blueprint. However, private firms agreed to reserve jobs as lorry drivers for Thais only.

The liberalisation will pave the way for high-efficiency Thai logistics operators to invest in other Asean countries and also prompt local enterprises to develop their services and management to meet tougher competition.

Trade Negotiations Department deputy director-general Winichai Chaemchaeng yesterday said liberalisation of the service sector would pave the way for the development of efficient operations in Thai enterprises.

"We're committed to opening up services under the Asean Free Trade Area. Thailand is recognised as the centre for logistics in Asean, so Thai enterprises should have a great opportunity to gain more benefit from the agreement by conducting business in the region," he said.

Under the agreement, investors in Asean will be able to hold up to a 51-per-cent stake in general service businesses in member countries by 2010, and a 70-per cent stake by 2013. These businesses include restaurants, hotels, banks, healthcare services and shops, and logistics.

The logistics sector will include marine services, warehousing and stocking for sea freight, packaging services, customs services, air freight, railway freight and road freight.

Petchanet Pratruangkrai

 The Nation