Bangkok: The Minister of Commerce is set to engage in discussions with the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Agriculture to expedite export activities in the latter half of the year. The move is prompted by the appreciation of the baht, which has impacted export performance. Additionally, efforts to advance free trade agreement (FTA) negotiations with South Korea are underway with the goal of concluding them within the year.
According to Thai News Agency, Commerce Minister Suphajee Suthumpun expressed concerns about the slowing export activities compared to earlier periods. The Ministry of Commerce's statement highlighted that the baht's appreciation is a significant factor affecting exports. Collaborative efforts with the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives are planned to enhance export strategies for the rest of the year.
In terms of the Thailand-South Korea FTA, the Director-General of the Department of Foreign Trade Negotiations is already in South Korea to move the negotiations forward. The aim is to finalize the Thailand-South Korea FTA by the end of the year, reflecting the commitment to strengthening trade relations.