Thailand ready to join AEC by end of 2015

BANGKOK, February 26 (TNA) - The Ministry of Commerce has confirmed Thailand's readiness to join the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) by the end of this year. Deputy Commerce Minister Apiradi Tantraporn made the confirmation on Thursday, saying that Thailand has already complied with 72 per cent of the AEC blueprint, while the average compliance of ASEAN member states stands at 66 per cent now. Apiradi told journalists that remaining compliance concerns the connection of Thai trade database with that of the ASEAN's central system and the establishment of a system for certifying goods origins. Apiradi stressed she is confident that the tasks should be achieved in time for the formation of AEC by the end of 2015. The deputy commerce minister revealed that she will lead a Thai delegation to attend the 21st ASEAN Economic Ministers (AEM) Retreat in Malaysia's Kelantan State from February 28 to March 1, 2015, during which compliance with measures required for the AEC establishment will be discussed, including the termination of non-tariff trade barriers. According to the Thai deputy commerce minister, the upcoming AEM Retreat will also address the ASEAN's post-2015 visions and issues relating to the planned ASEAN+6 Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with China, Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand and India, which has attracted global attention. (TNA)