Thailand-EU FTA Talks Make Progress On Transparency, Regulatory Practices
Thailand and the European Union (EU) have reached agreements on good regulatory practices and transparency during the fourth round of negotiations for a free trade agreement (FTA), held in Bangkok from November 25 to 29, 2024.
Chotima Iemsawasdikul, director-general of Thailand’s Trade Negotiations Department, said negotiations had progressed across several chapters, with discussions focusing on public access to information, consultations on rules and regulations, and transparent legal processes.
Both sides also began discussing the procedures and timelines for submitting proposals on market access for goods, services and government procurement. Online intersessional meetings were planned ahead of the fifth round of negotiations, scheduled for late March 2025 in Brussels, Belgium, to advance discussions and work towards further agreements.
The EU was Thailand’s fifth-largest trading partner in 2023, with bilateral trade valued at $41.7 billion, up 1.75% from the previous year. Thailand’s exports to the EU declined 3.68% to $22 billion, while imports rose 8.55% to $19.8 billion.
Bilateral trade reached $36.4 billion during the first 10 months of 2024, marking an increase of 3.42% compared with the corresponding period a year earlier.
Negotiation leaders also participated in a discussion hosted by the European Association for Business and Commerce to highlight the potential benefits and business opportunities arising from the proposed trade agreement. The event brought together European investors and representatives from Thailand’s private sector.
