ID :
164690
Mon, 02/28/2011 - 12:01
Auther :

Thailand gains trade surplus on farm products under AFTA

BANGKOK, Feb 28 (TNA) - The Thai Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives has reported that Thailand still gains trade surplus on agricultural products with other Southeast Asian nations after regional trade liberalisation under the ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA) Agreement, which has taken effect from January 1, 2010.

Thai Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Theera Wongsamut acknowledged since the implementation of the AFTA, Thai exports of farm products, except rubber, to other nine members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) have exceeded 210 billion baht, rising by 25 per cent, with Thailand gaining a trade surplus of over 120 billion baht so far.

Regarding trade liberalisation on agricultural products with ASEAN's six dialogue partners, including Japan, China, South Korea, India, Australia and New Zealand, Theera said that Thailand has had trade surplus with China, Japan, South Korea and Australia--although the Kingdom's imports of meat cows from Australia and New Zealand have exceeded an average level.

Regarding falling water supply due to seasonal drought which may affect agriculture in Thailand this year, the Thai agriculture and cooperatives minister said that the quantity of reserved water now fills some 63 per cent of the country's overall reservoir capacity, amounting to 46 billion cubic meters. Of the amount, 22 billion cubic meters of water is usable, lower than its amount last year. The minister noted, however, that he believes the remaining reserved water is sufficient to cope with the seasonal drought until the end of April 2011. (TNA)

X