Thailand, Pakistan aim to conclude free trade deal by year-end

NONTHABURI, Nov 20 (TNA) – The fifth round of free trade agreement (FTA) talks between Thailand and Pakistan ended successfully with the two sides agreeing to wrap up the trade deal by the end of 2016, a Thai senior official said. Sunanta Kangvalkulkij, deputy director-general of the Commerce Ministry’s Trade Negotiations Department, said the latest round of FTA talks with Pakistan, which took place between Nov 16 and 18 in Thailand, had proved successful as the two sides discussed and exchange their views on tax reduction and law issues in order to promote bilateral trade growth. The Thailand-Pakistan FTA is expected to be concluded by year end, and enter into force by the beginning of 2017. The sixth round of negotiations will be held in Islamabad, Pakistan’s capital, in December. (TNA)