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 Trade
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01 Nov 06 15:24
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British envoy seeks clarity on wholesale, retail trade policy
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TNA
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BANGKOK, Nov 1 - Embarrassed by what he termed "policy uncertainty" towards wholesale and retail trade promotion, British ambassador to Thailand David Fall has urged the Commerce Ministry to be clear regarding the policy.
Speaking after a meeting with the British envoy, who paid a courtesy call on him, Commerce Minister Krirkkrai Jirapaet said Mr. Fall enquired how the trade policy would be implemented in harmony with the sufficiency economy principle and a direction of the existing policy, particularly on trade cooperation.
Mr. Krirkkrai said he clarified that the sufficiency economy is a key policy that could boost ethics and morals for trade activities.
Thailand would liberalise trade gradually, he said, and support ASEAN unity. It would only consider adopting a free trade area (FTA) policy prudently and with caution, to ensure that Thailand country benefits from it.
The minister revealed the British envoy also enquired about Thailand's investment policy regarding wholesale and retail trade, and related trade promotion laws, as well as an amendment to the foreign business law.
Mr. Krirkkrai told the British ambassador that a committee chaired by Thai Chamber of Commerce President Pramont Suteewong is reviewing retail trade and improve Thailand's foreign business law to ensure fairness in the trading system and trade competition.
He said the ministry was ready to heed opinions and suggestions from concerned state agencies or investors to amend or issue laws based on mutual equality.
He conceded that the United Kingdom wanted Thailand to have a clear policy, particularly towards investment promotion vis-a-vis wholesale and retail trade, as well as foreign business operations, so that it could make an investment plan. Otherwise, Britain would shift its production bases to other countries.
Giant discount stores, particularly UK-based Tesco Lotus, have made an outcry over the Commerce Ministry's plan to control the expansion of their branches nationwide following sustained complaints by small- and medium-sized local retailers about their disadvantage in the trade competition. (TNA)
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