TDRI proposes Jtepa monitoring team

The institute said a special working group was required. It should be responsible for canvassing the private sector and encouraging manufacturers and producers to take advantage of the agreement.

Research director Somkiat Tangkitvanit said the Kingdom should be demanding Japan speed up tariff reductions to below comparable US Generalised System of Preferences rates. Thailand should have most-favoured-nation treatment for leather goods and shoes, furniture and food.

But it will need to reduce tariffs on Japanese imports, including slashing duty on vehicles with engine capacities of 3 litres, steel and premium electronic products.

The institute said the agreement saved Thai exporters Bt2.48 billion in duties. Importers saved Bt1.63 billion between November and March. Imports from Japan totalled US$7.94 billion (Bt270 billion) while exports to that country were worth $13.2 billion in the same period.