Govt wants trade deal signed during anniversary celebration
16 November 2006
Govt wants trade deal signed during anniversary celebration
ACHARA ASHAYAGACHAT
The interim government is looking to the 120th anniversary of Thai-Japanese diplomatic relations next year as a possible time to sign the Economic Partnership Agreement with Japan, Deputy Foreign Minister Sawanit Kongsiri said yesterday. In a meeting with Shosaku Yasui, chairman of the Japanese committee for the 120th anniversary celebrations, Mr Sawanit reiterated the interim government’s policy of holding a public hearing on the controversial draft agreement before submitting it to the National Legislative Council by the end of the year.
Mr Yasui informed Mr Sawanit of Tokyo’s wish to see the trade deal, suspended since April this year, signed as soon as possible.
Mr Sawanit said the government needed to take heed of public concerns on transparency and the possible economic impact of the free trade agreement before signing. He also noted that the previous government had set aside an adjustment fund for the affected sectors and that such information should be made known to the public.
Thailand and Japan exchanged a royal treaty to establish diplomatic relations on Sept 26, 1887.
The two governments have each set up a steering committee to conduct the celebrations for the anniversary.
Tentative activities include curtain-raisers in Bangkok and Tokyo on Jan 16 and Feb 27, street festivals in the respective capitals in May and December, and the opening of a Thai Pavilion at Ueno Park in Tokyo on Sept 26.
The two nations are also due to issue a 120th anniversary stamp, and hold exhibitions on trade, tourism and technological innovations.
Japan is the biggest foreign investor in Thailand and the kingdom’s second largest export market after the US.
