Pak-Thailand to discuss FTA this month

ISLAMABAD: Eighth round of talks between Pakistan and Thailand will be held from August 21 to 23 to reach a final decision on the Free Trade Agreement (FTA).

Both sides had exchanged the offer lists of items for free trade, including automobile and textile sectors for removing the reservations of the sectors, a senior official of the Ministry of Commerce told APP.

During the 8th round, he said, talks would be held on the text of agreement, tariff reduction modalities, request lists from both sides and offer lists.

The FTA would be signed on September 25, for enhancing bilateral trade between the two countries.

The official said Thailand had comparative advantage in around 1,000 commodities, chiefly electrical and electronic appliances, machinery and components and automobiles and parts.

“Pakistan had relative advantages in some 684 commodities, including cotton yarn and woven textiles, readymade garments, leather products, surgical instruments and sports goods,” the ministry official said.