European Chamber of Commerce Thailand Unveils Future of Free Trade Negotiations

European Chamber of Commerce Thailand Unveils Future of Free Trade Negotiations

The European Association for Business and Commerce (EABC), or European Chamber of Commerce Thailand, recently held a luncheon seminar on “The Next Phase of EU-Thailand Free Trade Negotiations” at the Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit. The seminar provided a platform for key stakeholders from the EU and Thailand to shed light on the potential impact of the expected EU-Thailand Free Trade Agreement and latest developments in EU-Thailand trade relations.

Mr Farid Bidgoli, EABC president, opened by stating their commitment to the ongoing free trade negotiations, stating that the re-launch of these Free Trade negotiations presented a significant opportunities for both sides.

HE David Daly, ambassador of the European Union to Thailand, underlined the three pillars behind this agreement: (i) Market Access for goods, services, investment and government procurement; (ii) Regulatory Commitments to facilitate trade and enhance a level playing field between partners, including removal of technical barriers to trade and protection of intellectual property rights and Geographical Indications (GI); and (iii) Sustainability and the protection of workers’ rights and the environment. A new, important chapter will be Good Regulatory Practices and Regulatory Co-operation that will yield benefits, including improved regulatory efficiency, reduced compliance costs for businesses and increased public confidence in regulatory systems.

Ms Auramon Supthaweethum, director general of the Department of Trade Negotiations (DTN), shed light on the key issues and challenges surrounding the Free Trade Agreement while Dr Wisarn Pupphavesa, senior advisor at the Thailand Development Research Institute (TDRI), shared his expertise on the benefits and impact of the Free Trade Agreement.

Dr Thitinan Pongsudhirak, professor of International Relations at Chulalongkorn University moderated the discussion.

The EABC Luncheon Seminar showcased the commitment of both the EU and Thailand to advancing the Free Trade Agreement talks. Detailed preparatory work is currently underway, and the first substantive round of negotiations is expected to be held in September 2023 in Brussels.

The European Association for Business and Commerce (EABC) was established in 2011. Its objectives are to champion European business in Thailand, advocate for members’ interests and promote Thailand as an attractive partner for European foreign investment and trade.

Information on the Free Trade Agreement development is regularly updated on the EABC website (https://www.eabc-thailand.org/an-eu-thailand-free-trade- agreement/).

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