BANGKOK, June 10 (TNA) – The Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking (JSCCIB) has recommended Thailand participate in discussions with partners in the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) to receive useful information.
Predee Daochai, president of the Thai Bankers’ Association, said that the joint standing committee really saw the importance of attending CPTPP negotiations in August because that would allow Thailand to see the pros and cons of joining the grouping.
The participation in the negotiations was an initial procedure towards CPTPP participation. The whole process would take 3-4 years because it would also include negotiations with CPTPP partners, cabinet approval, public hearings and approval by the parliament, Mr Predee said.
Kalin Sarasin, chairman of the Thai Chamber of Commerce, said that if Thailand was to have a disadvantage in CPTPP, JSCCIB would oppose participation in the grouping.
He recommended there be a seminar on pros and cons of CPTPP before participation in CPTPP talks.
On concerns about plant varieties, Mr Kalin said he was not well informed about the issue. He said that CPTPP talks in August would inform Thailand of agreements among partners and the knowledge would support the country’s global competitiveness, especially when it had to compete with Southeast Asian nations. (TNA)
