Team studying Thailand joining trans-pacific partnership to give its opinion coming week
A working team set up to study the impact of Thailand joining the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) will submit its conclusions this week.
The team, working under The Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking, has finished collecting the studies on the effects of Thailand joining the CPTPP, Sanan Angubolkul, vice president of the Board of Trade, said.
Initially, the representatives from the private sector, government and civil society had concerns on some commercial issues, such as the tax exemption, The products which would be advantageous in export, including air-conditioners, automobiles or leather products.
Under CPTPP, commercial privileges for domestic and foreign entrepreneurs are prohibited, he added. Moreover, CPTPP allows migrant labourers to set up labour unions. There was divided opinion on this issue among Thai business operators.
The vice president also mentioned that the private sector wanted the government to show its standing about participation in the partnership since foreign investors are inquiring. The participation is related to their investment, as well as business expansion, but the Thai Chamber of Commerce has not been able to address their queries.