ID :
303668
Mon, 10/21/2013 - 11:02
Auther :

Thailand officially discusses barter trade with China

BANGKOK, October 21 (TNA) - Chief of Thailand Trade Representatives Olarn Chaipravat says that Thai Deputy Commerce Minister Yanyong Phuangrach is visiting China to officially discuss barter trade with Chinese authorities in Shanghai. Olarn acknowledged on Monday that member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), including Thailand, have planned to barter their excessive farm products with technologies of developed nations, including China which has already developed its high-speed rail systems to connect with neighboring countries. Olarn told journalists that China has enough engineers to help develop high-speed trains in Thailand. Meanwhile, Supachai Panitchpakdi, former secretary-general of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) urged the Thai government to consider other options before bartering Thai farm products with Chinese trains. Supachai, who is also former Thai deputy prime minister and commerce minister, suggested that the Thai government be open to other options, study train technologies of other countries, assure Thai personnel know how to maintain future trains by themselves, consider connectivity with neighboring countries and be careful on cost-effectiveness. The former UNCTAD chief also warned of the uncertainty of the world economy next year, pointing out although there have been signs of the global economic recovery, volatility has remained, especially that caused by US policies. (TNA)

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