Visit by a delegation from EU ABC 10-11 November 2016
On 10 and 11 November 2016 EABC hosted a 2 day visit by The EU-ASEAN Business Council (the EU ABC) in Bangkok. The EU-ABC is premier body for European business in the ASEAN region, with a mission to advocate for measures that would boost trade and investment between Europe and ASEAN, and to support the ASEAN region with its regional integration objectives.
The EU-ASEAN Business Council, of which EABC Thailand is a founding member, used this occasion to meet key Ministries in Thailand to discuss steps to enhance the trade and investment relationship between European business and the Kingdom of Thailand and the greater ASEAN region. A delegation of European businesses from a variety of industries joined the meetings, with representatives based both in Thailand and from across the ASEAN region. The EU ABC delegation was led by Donald Kanak, Chairman, Rolf-Dieter Daniel EABC President, and also comprised of the following representatives Rajiv Verma, Johan von Zweigbergk, Wannaporn Wattanakasemsat, Kaan Baral, Rachanatorn Laohaphan, Thanakorn Kuptajit, Shanti Shamdasani, EU ABC Executive Director Chris Humphrey and EABC Executives.
The following meetings took place during the visit by EU ABC:
On 10 November The European Association for Business and Commerce (EABC) and the EU-ASEAN Business Council (EU-ABC) visited the Royal Thai Customs. The DG of the Royal Thai Customs, Mr. Kulit Sombatsiri and his team welcomed Mr. Rolf-Dieter Daniel, President of EABC, Mr. Donald Kanak, Chairman of EU-ABC, and their executives. to discuss about the following topics:
Combating Illicit Trade, Excise Duties & Import Tariffs, ASEAN Customs Transit System, De Minimis, HS Classifications (especially with regard to Automotive products), Voluntary Audit Programme, Clarifications and Formal Notifications, EU ABC Involvement in ASEAN Customs & Trade Facilitation Working Group
Simplification of Procedures:
- Form D Self Certification
- Documentary requirements for Free Trade Agreements
- Documentary requirements for Goods in Transit
- Importer registration process
- Co-operation with Board of Investment on Import/Export Applications
The EABC President also presented the EABC Position Paper. The EABC was also invited to participate in the training of Customs Staff for example on counterfeit products.
On 10 November The European Association for Business and Commerce (EABC) and the EU-ASEAN Business Council (EU-ABC) visited the Delegation of the European Union to discuss about Thailand’s investment and industrial policies. The Ambassador H.E. Jesus Miguel Sanz and his team welcomed Mr. Rolf-Dieter Daniel, President of EABC, Mr. Donald Kanak, Chairman of EU-ABC, and their executives. Discussions included the current situation in Thailand and outlook for 2017, the paused FTA negotiation between Thailand and the EU and other related matters on Trade and Business.
On 11 November 2016, The European Association for Business and Commerce (EABC) and the EU-ASEAN Business Council (EU-ABC) visited the Board of Investment of Thailand (BOI) to discuss about Thailand’s investment and industrial policies. Ms. Duangjai Asawachintachit, Deputy Secretary General welcomed Mr. Rolf-Dieter Daniel, President of EABC, Mr. Donald Kanak, Chairman of EU-ABC, and their executives. Discussions included revision of Investment Promotion Act, Competitive Enhancement Act, lifting foreign equity limits across various industries, and encouragement the BOI to work in cooperation with the Royal Thai Customs on import/export applications to take advantage of Thailand’s strategic location in ASEAN. On this occasion, the EABC President presented the EABC Position Paper. The EABC has also been invited to participate in the upcoming events with the BOI.
On 11 November 2016, Ministry of Commerce held a meeting with European Association for Business and Commerce (EABC) and European-ASEAN Business Council (EU-ABC)’s Delegation. Vice Minister for Commerce, Mr. Winichai Chaemchaeng, welcomed the EABC President, Mr. Rolf-Dieter Daniel, Chairman of EU-ABC, Mr. Donald Kanak, and their executives to the meeting. The meeting was also joined by Deputy Director-General of the Department of Trade Negotiations, Ms. Siripan Likhitwiwat and representatives from Department of Intellectual Property. The meeting discussed on Thailand talking leadership in the region to eliminate non-tariff barriers (NTBs) to meet ASEAN Blueprint 2025. Other issues comprised of intellectual property and trademark protection, Draft of Tobacco Products Control Act, ASEAN harmonization of customs procedures, foreign equity limits, and harmonization of standards in ASEAN to improve trades and investments in ASEAN. The largest source of FDI in ASEAN comes from European investors; the Delegation supports the Royal Thai Government to enhance transparency, ease of doing business and trade facilitation to increase investments to Thailand. Vice Minister for Commerce remarked that EABC has a long history with the Ministry and is special for the Ministry of Commerce. The EABC is welcomed to call for meetings whenever the organization has the issues to discuss with the Ministry.
