AustraliaSia-ASEAN FTA

It would be the fourth pact under Asean's liberalisation plan following similar deals with China , South Korea , and Japan .

Winichai Chaemcheang, advi¬sor to the Commerce Ministry as a chief negotiator for this pact, said it addresses issues where Thailand should enjoy better terms for bilat¬eral trade with Australia and New Zealand. The next meeting will be held in Brunei next month.

The result of the talks will be passed to the Economic Ministerial Meeting in November this year and Thailand will pass the agreement for Parliament to ratify under the Constitution Act.

Winichai said it should be con¬cluded in the coming round of talks when both sides find agreement with the most sensitive items.

"If concluded, Thailand should enjoy benefits, in automobiles and parts, garment, and agricultural trading as we would be able to export products that originated in other Asean countries to Australia and New Zealand," he said.

Only a few issues remain to be finalised, including soybean oil products from Thailand and cashew nuts from Cambodia and Vietnam - sensitive products for Australia and New Zealand.

Asean, Australia and New Zealand are committed to liberalise 96 per cent of total items traded between both sides.