FRIDAY, March 29, 2024
nationthailand

Jurin seeks easing of regulations from China for Thai exports

Jurin seeks easing of regulations from China for Thai exports

Commerce Minister Jurin Laksanawisit has appealed to authorities in China to relax new regulations on the import of fruits from Thailand.

Jurin has asked Thailand’s Minister for the Office of Commercial Affairs in Beijing to negotiate with China’s Ministry of Agriculture.
Jurin, who is also leader of the Democrat Party, will take part in the 8th Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) meeting being held from Thursday (August 1) to Saturday in Beijing. 
It is Jurin’s first international meeting since taking the reins at the Commerce Ministry. Thailand, as chair of Asean Economic Ministers this year, will also chair the RCEP meeting in which 16 Asian countries will take part. The meeting assumes added significance as the grouping tries to deal with differences before coming to an agreement.
Jurin said Asean leaders are focused on reaching conclusions at this RCEP meeting and it is one of 13 economic missions targeted by Asean to be completed within this year. Major topics to be discussed under RCEP are the opening of markets for goods, services, investments, and intellectual property, as well as financial appendix. The meeting for senior officers of Asean will be held in October, and for ministers in September and October.
Jurin said he has discussed with Chiyawan Chongvatana, Thailand’s Minister for the Office of Commercial Affairs in Beijing, about the country’s export situation with China, especially for agricultural products and fruits such as durian and longan. China has tightened regulations for import of fruits from Thailand, forcing all Thai fruit exporters to have packaging plant certification or Good Manufacturing Practice and the need to buy from the orchards that are certified as having Good Agriculture Practices. They are also required to have an exporter registration number from Thailand’s Department of Agriculture (DOA).
“We have received complaints from most exporters who have been impacted by such regulations, as many of them have no certification, and need to wait for the DOA to issue the certification. Many exporters have delayed their purchases, which will have a negative impact on the lives of farmers,” said Jurin.
“I have already ordered the Minister for the Office of Commercial Affairs in Beijing to negotiate with the central office for Chinese Customs to postpone such regulations as Thai exporters cannot find certification as identified and that it would impact Thailand’s export sector,” he said.

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