Export controls to combat terrorism

The law, to be enforced from the start of next year, is aimed at helping to increase the confidence of Thailand’s trading partners and prevent the country from being subject to trade barriers.
 Winichai Chaemchaeng, Vice Minister at the Commerce Ministry, yesterday announced the date for the start of enforcement of the law.
The government says about 1,200 items will be controlled under the law. Exporters wanting to sell products on this list need to seek permission from the government. For products that are not on the list, exporters will need to get certification that they are not DUI items.
 “This law enforcement should help increase trading partners’ confidence and ensure that Thailand has not supported any terrorism, while should effectively prevent future problem, he said.
 To help exporters, the ministry has introduced an electronic system to support exporters known as e-Trade Management of Dual-use items. Through this system, exporters can determine whether goods are dual-use items.
 “If the goods are subject to the rules, then the system provides for the exporter to obtain a DUI export licence for List One goods or self-certify for List Two goods. Exporters can now try out the trial version of e-TMD online,” a government statement said.
This system is expected to fully launched before the DUI law comes into effect on January 1.
 The ministry is drafting a law on export controls for weapons of mass destruction (WMD) that needs to be approved by the National Legislative Assembly.
If the bill is passed, Thailand will have laws to regulate the export, transshipment, and cross-border trade for items subject to WMD controls, in line with international law. This law would replace a regulation by the ministry from 2015 that deals only with tangible export products.
To promote awareness of the proposed new laws, the Foreign Trade Department will hold a seminar on global cooperation for the regulation of WMD on July 18-19. About 50 participants will be attending from countries including the US, China, Australia, South Korea, Germany and Japan.
Adul Choktinisakorn, deputy director-general to the Foreign Trade Department, said examples of dual-use items included carbon fibre, which can be used to make a tennis racquet and to help produce a nuclear weapon. Adul also cited maraging steel, which can be used to produce a golf club and go into missiles.
 Thailand’s exports of dual-use items are worth about Bt2 trillion.