BANGKOK, 3 July 2012 – Thailand will have discussion with the European Union over tariff on 57 items that will be disqualified effective after this month.
Mr. Boonsong Teriyapirom, Minister of Commerce has revealed that the European Union is currently considering the “Generalized System of Preferences” or GPS and he is expecting the 57 commodity products of Thailand to be disqualified. He has ordered the Department of Trade Negotiations to meet with the European Union and discuss the matter late this month.
The reason for the future disqualification is that Thailand’s per capita income is over 3,700 US dollars per year, the maximum amount allowed by the GPS policy for a country to be eligible for the GPS.
It is unlikely that the bird flu outbreak in China will affect Thailand’s frozen chicken export to Europe, given the birds in Thailand are raised in an enclosed farming system to avoid bird flu infection, according to the Minister, adding that Europe has started ordering Thai chicken since the 1st of July this year.
Moreover, Mr. Boonsong has also paid a visit to Altering Risk to Opportunity or AFET and has ordered AFET to take part in and be responsible for future agricultural products of the country.
