BANGKOK, 12 Dec 2013 Thailand is asking Canada for the extension of its Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) privilege.
Acting Commerce Minister Niwatthamrong Bunsongphaisan revealed that he had met with Canada’s International Trade Minister Edward Fast, during the World Trade Organization’s ministerial meeting in Indonesia at the beginning of this month.
Their discussion was centered on the formation of the Free Trade Agreement between the two nations. Mr. Niwatthamrong stated that at the moment the Thai-Canadian FTA framework was awaiting an approval from the Thai Parliament, and he expected the draft to be put on House agenda at the beginning of next year.
However, as the GSP privileges provided by Canada would expire on January 2015, Mr. Niwatthamrong said Thailand was asking Canada to consider extending the GSP enforcement pending the promulgation of their FTA.
Canada, on this occasion, inquired about Thailand’s ban on its pork earlier found contaminated with Ractopamine. The acting Commerce Minister said he informed the Canadian counterpart that the measure imposed was simply a standard consumer protection protocol against potential deadly substance that may post threats to the well-being of Thai citizens. He nonetheless said that Thailand was looking into the matter and would soon be able to give Canada a definite response.
