BANGKOK, Nov 14 – Thailand’s membership in the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP), approved by the cabinet on Monday, will place the country in a more competitive position in trading and investment, a Thai academic said today.
Aat Pisanwanich, Director of the International Trade Studies Centre, University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce, said the TPP will be advantageous to Thailand as it will be free from having to seek the Generalised System of Preferences (GSP) since there is no export tariff.
He said neighbouring Singapore, Vietnam and Malaysia have become TPP members, adding that the membership will be help agricultural and processed food sectors, as well the service sector (banks and hotels) and the information technology sector.
The government will negotiate Thailand’s possible TPP membership during US President Barack Obama’s visit to Thailand this weekend.
Dr Aat said the process in becoming a TPP member may take at least two years given the government’s obligation to thoroughly study the pros and cons before seeking Parliament’s endorsement as imposed in Section 190 of the constitution.
He expressed concern that Thai small and medium enterprises will find it hard to adjust and compete in the global market.
