ID :
153788
Fri, 12/17/2010 - 18:46
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/153788
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Thailand backs conclusion of Doha round by 2011
BANGKOK,Dec17(TNA)-Thailand supports attempts of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) member economies to seek ways to conclude the nine-year Doha round of multilateral trade talks by 2011.
Deputy Prime Minister Trairong Suwannakhiri has affirmed the Thai position, acknowledging that different stances of three major parties, including the United States, the European Union or EU and the G-20 group comprising key developed and developing economies, on government subsidies on farm products and non-tariff protectionist measures in the agricultural sector have hindered a smooth conclusion of the Doha round--which kicked off in 2001.
Trairong, who oversees economic issues, insisted that Thailand is ready to join other WTO members to forge for a successful conclusion of the Doha round by next year. However, if not, Trairong said, Thailand is prepared for bilateral talks with selected trading partners separately--which will eventually lead to the establishment of the Thai-EU free trade area or FTA in the foreseeable future--despite strict conditions announced by European nations in the meantime.
Meanwhile, Praipol Kumsap, a leading academic and former lecturer of the Faculty of Economics, Thammasat University, suggested that a compromise in which developing nations are allowed to defer their import tariff cuts to zero per cent and a plan on eliminated subsidies for farm products will lead to a successful conclusion of the Doha round, and that once concluded, a final Doha round agreement will benefit Thailand's shipments of paddy, tapioca, frozen poultry and sugar to overseas markets although Thai entrepreneurs will face growing competition with other producing countries of agricultural products, namely corn, soybean, tea, coffee, garlic and beef.(TNA)
Deputy Prime Minister Trairong Suwannakhiri has affirmed the Thai position, acknowledging that different stances of three major parties, including the United States, the European Union or EU and the G-20 group comprising key developed and developing economies, on government subsidies on farm products and non-tariff protectionist measures in the agricultural sector have hindered a smooth conclusion of the Doha round--which kicked off in 2001.
Trairong, who oversees economic issues, insisted that Thailand is ready to join other WTO members to forge for a successful conclusion of the Doha round by next year. However, if not, Trairong said, Thailand is prepared for bilateral talks with selected trading partners separately--which will eventually lead to the establishment of the Thai-EU free trade area or FTA in the foreseeable future--despite strict conditions announced by European nations in the meantime.
Meanwhile, Praipol Kumsap, a leading academic and former lecturer of the Faculty of Economics, Thammasat University, suggested that a compromise in which developing nations are allowed to defer their import tariff cuts to zero per cent and a plan on eliminated subsidies for farm products will lead to a successful conclusion of the Doha round, and that once concluded, a final Doha round agreement will benefit Thailand's shipments of paddy, tapioca, frozen poultry and sugar to overseas markets although Thai entrepreneurs will face growing competition with other producing countries of agricultural products, namely corn, soybean, tea, coffee, garlic and beef.(TNA)
