Pakistan, Thailand agree to hold talks on FTA

[Dawood Ibrahim]

By:
shahzad paracha


19-Jan-17

401


ISLAMABAD: The deadlock on the free trade agreement (FTA) between Pakistan and Thailand is likely to end soon as both sides have agreed to start the dialogue process with a new spirit.

Sources said that a latest round of negotiations between the two countries was held in Islamabad on Wednesday where both sides agreed to show flexibility to get the deal done.

According to details, Pakistan had demand tariff concession on 912 items to Thailand, whereas Thai officials have requested Pakistan to grant tariff concession on 1,700 items, including auto sector, but due to the alleged rigid stance of officials from both sides, the deal could not be materialised.

However, both sides have now realised that they cannot reach a consensus until they show some flexibility in their stance, said sources, adding that the two sides have decided to hold a vide conference next month before final sitting for the next round of negotiations.

Meanwhile, in the latest round of negotiations held on Wednesday, meeting members also discussed mechanism for non-tariff barriers to trade.


http://dailytimes.com.pk/pakistan/19-Jan-17/pakistan-thailand-agree-to-hold-talks-on-fta​