Thailand aims to finish EU FTA talks this year

Thailand is pushing to conclude free trade agreement (FTA) talks with the European Union by the end of this year, signaling a strong desire to bolster economic ties. Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul met with senior representatives from European business organizations and over 40 companies on Thursday, emphasizing Thailand's readiness to attract investment and strengthen its position as a regional manufacturing hub.

During the meeting at Government House, European businesses reaffirmed their interest in expanding investment in Thailand, praising the government's proactive dialogue with the private sector. They also expressed support for the Thailand-EU FTA and Thailand's bid to join the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Discussions covered potential cooperation in manufacturing, life sciences, food, finance, the digital economy, and artificial intelligence.

“

Thailand was ready to attract investment, promote tourism and strengthen its role as a regional manufacturing base, while seeking European support to conclude FTA negotiations by year-end.

While the prime minister expressed optimism about concluding the negotiations by year-end, acknowledging that the talks have slowed in the final stages, significant differences remain. The primary obstacles involve agricultural products and raw materials. The EU maintains strict requirements for agricultural raw materials, including environmental standards and rules of origin to qualify for zero tariffs. The Thai government is proceeding cautiously to safeguard the interests of all parties involved in these sensitive areas.

“

the key issues involved raw materials and agricultural products, adding that the government needed to proceed carefully to protect the interests of all parties.