BANGKOK, 7 May 2015 – The Ministry of Commerce is now gearing up its strategy to push Thailand towards the ASEAN Community, with much anticipation on the benefits according to the designated plan, says an official.
The Deputy Director-General of the Department of Trade Negotiations (DTN) Arunee Poolkaew has revealed that the department has been pushing forward its strategic plan for pushing Thailand towards the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC).
She has said that about 80 percent of the plan has been completed, involving the amendment of laws and regulations in the related agencies, as well as creating the understanding about the AEC to all sectors to help increase the potential of Thai businesses and raise competitiveness.
The DTN Deputy Director-General has said that Thailand is set to receive various benefits from the integration of the AEC, especially consumers and entrepreneurs who will have more choices and opportunities to expand markets. Thailand’s export value is also set to expand in the ASEAN era.
The AEC will also allow the free flow of labour which will help create more jobs and revenue, while the Free Trade Area agreement with other countries outside the AEC will help extend trade and investment of Thai entrepreneurs to even more countries.
The DTN Deputy Director-General has added that the integration of the AEC on 31 December 2015 will help strengthen the community, bringing in new challenges and opportunities. He repeated that the public be aware and knowledgeable about the AEC to prepare themselves for the upcoming changes.
