Govt lines up 343 projects, ‘mini FTAs’ to boost exports next year

Of the total, 135 projects will operate in Thailand and 208 overseas. The latter include an online export negotiation and promotion of Thai products via platforms including Amazon, Lotte, Tmall, BigBasket and Kha-Leang.

Jurin said Thailand will also accelerate negotiations on international trade agreements to lower barriers for Thai exports.

"The ministry has finished studying the Thailand-European Union Free Trade Agreement [FTA] and is still studying FTAs with the United Kingdom, Eurasia and Asean Free Trade Area [AFTA], as well as the Asean-Canada FTA," he said.

Meanwhile, “mini FTAs” which the ministry and private sector will negotiate with provinces, states or cities will enable Thai entrepreneurs to expand trading and investment.

"We will sign mini FTA agreements with three cities, namely China's Hainan, India's Telangana and South Korea's Gyeonggi soon.”

Jurin said the country's export sector was recovering gradually after falling sharply in the second quarter due to the Covid-19 outbreak. He expected Thai exports to drop by 7 per cent this year but rise by 4 per cent next year.

"The ministry is cooperating with both government and private sectors to promote the exports," he said, adding that Thailand was the first country in the world to introduce hybrid trading.

Meanwhile the ministry was working to solve problems of border trade and container shortages as soon as possible.

"The second Covid-19 outbreak caused border trade with Myanmar, Laos and Cambodia in October to contract 40 per cent, 21 per cent and 17 per cent, respectively," he added.