CANBERRA: Australia has urged Thailand to liberalise the trade in its agricultural products, particularly the dairy sector, and its professional services after a recent revision of the Thailand-Australia Free-Trade Agreement (TAFTA).
Thailand, meanwhile, urged Australia to review its sanitary and psytosanitary practices and allow some Thai products, including fruits, to be exported to that country, while extending the visas for Thais working or vacationing in the country.
A senior source from the Commerce Ministry said Thailand needed to review carefully some trade regulations and agreements under TAFTA to promote more trade and cooperation between the two countries.
TAFTA has been implemented for 10 years, with the two nations showing strong progress in promoting trade growth. However, Australia wants Thailand to review regulations that serve as safeguard measures protecting the Kingdom’s beef and dairy industries.
Australia said that with regional integration, Thailand would be considered a centre for trade and investment in Asean, and the Kingdom should adapt by liberalising its market more fully.
Australia claims that the liberalisation of agricultural products would enhance business growth between the countries, while Thailand could be a centre for Australian investment in those industries under regional integration.
Meanwhile, Thailand urged Australia to increase the quota for the number of Thais allowed to work and holiday in the country.
Thailand also encouraged Australia to review its import regulations and allow more Thai bakery items and fruit exports.
The Commerce Ministry source said those proposals would soon be discussed when Australia’s trade minister visits Thailand. The two countries will hold a special event celebrating the 10th anniversary of TAFTA this year.
According to the Commerce Ministry, in the first five months of this year Thai exports to Australia were worth US$3.97 billion (Bt140 billion) while its imports from Australia were valued at $1.78 billion, providing Thailand with a trade surplus of $2.19 billion.
