ID :
163036
Tue, 02/22/2011 - 13:08
Auther :

ASEAN-Japan FTA expected to be completed before formation of AEC

BANGKOK, Feb 22 (TNA) - Thailand’s Department of Trade Negotiations has projected that ASEAN-Japan FTA will be completed before the formation of ASEAN Economic Community (AEC).

“The ASEAN-Japan FTA is expected to be in effect prior to the formation of the ASEAN Economic Community in 2015”, said Ronnarong Poonpipat, an official at the department.

During the negotiation period, Japan would likely push for full trade liberalization with all the ASEAN countries, because seven out of ten ASEAN countries already have in effect bilateral Free Trade Agreements with Japan, the Thai official said.

However, prior to setting up the ASEAN-Japan FTA, Thailand still needs to fully evaluate the impact of such an FTA on its economy and put in place legislations that would attract more investments, he added.

The Department of Trade Negotiations on Tuesday hosted a seminar on the impact on Thailand of the ASEAN-Japan Free Trade Agreement under the ASEAN-Japan Economic Comprehensive Economic Partnership. (TNA)

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