Chaloem Maha Nakhon Expressway in Thailand (Photo: VNA)Bangkok (NNT/VNA) – Thailand’s International Economic Policy Committee hasheld a meeting chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak to considerthe pros and cons of Thailand joining the Comprehensive and ProgressiveAgreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), as well as gathering publicinput.
Outcomesfrom this meeting will be proposed to the Cabinet for consideration within thisApril.
TheDepartment of Trade Negotiations’ (DTN) Director General Auramon Supthaweethum,said on February 15 that as a member of the CPTPP, Thailand may gain anadditional 0.12 percent in GDP growth worth 13 billion THB. However Thailandmay lose 0.25 percent in economic growth if it chooses not to join thepartnership, resulting in a loss of about 26 billion THB.
Shesaid the CPTPP will provide opportunities for Thai products to hit new marketsin countries without existing FTA agreement with Thailand, such as Canada andMexico, while certain products such as rice, rubber, canned pineapple,vehicles, and electronic appliances would benefit from the new partnership.
The DTNis collecting related information to propose to the Cabinet for considerationbefore this April, which should allow enough time for the government to prepareshould it decide to move forward with CPTPP negotiations, at a ministerialmeeting of member states scheduled for August./.
VNA
