MFA:Full-scale Thai-Indian FTA expected by mid 2012

NEW DELHI, December 27 (TNA) - The Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs will push for full-scale free trade between Thailand and India by mid 2012 and will also promote expanding bilateral ties and cooperation in other areas. Thai Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul, who is visiting India to attend a joint Thai-Indian commission meeting, said that Thailand and India are now having their first joint commission meeting in almost four years this week--in which representatives of the ministries of foreign affairs, energy, natural resources and environment, commerce and labour and the National Security Council of both countries participate. Surapong revealed that the meeting was set to discuss economic and trade cooperation between Bangkok and New Delhi and a planned visit to India by Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra from January 24-26, 2012 to celebrate the South Asian nation's independence. Surapong acknowledged that, apart from forging the implementation of the full-scale Thai-Indian Free Trade Agreement (FTA) by mid 2012, both countries will boost cooperation on education and cultural exchange, set up their chief executive officers (CEOs) forum, facilitate Thai pilgrims to visit India, promote the production of Indian films in Thailand and quickly and jointly develop satellite-based geographic information systems, as well as expedite bilateral extradition agreement and mutual assistance in civil lawsuits. According to the Thai foreign minister, the number of product items under the Thai-Indian FTA has increased from 82 to 83 and Thailand has asked India to transfer Thai aviation rights from routes having not been fully used to those with demand for more flights. The Thai minister said that both sides have also discussed a cooperation fund, a road project to link India, Myanmar and Thailand, the Dawei deep-sea port project, which will be connected to the Bay of Bengal, and the Pak Bara deep-sea port project in Thailand's southern Satun Province. The foreign minister noted that during Premier Yingluck's scheduled visit to India, both countries will sign four agreements on free trade improvement, scientific and technological cooperation, cultural exchange and security-oriented information exchange. (TNA)