TOKYO: The Japanese Chamber of Commerce is urging the Thai government to raise its steel import quota as listed in the Japan-Thailand Economic Partnership Agreement (JTEPA) of 530,000 tonnes.
“The import quota was quite short of what we proposed and we are wondering why, as there was no explanation,” said Masaki Katsuta, chairman of JCC’s metal division. The duty-free import quota is for Japanese steel used in the car industry, as Thailand cannot produce these three steel types by itself. Mr Katsuta said he was concerned the Thai auto sector would be affected if the would be affected if the supply of hot-rolled steel fell short of demand, since the quota decreased this year.
