BANGKOK, Oct 8 (TNA) – Thai manufacturers of furniture and electrical goods should adjust and capitalise from the various free trade


agreements (FTAs) that Thailand has in place with trading partners, a senior government official said Saturday.

Director-General Apiradi Tantraporn of the Trade Negotiations Department said that Thai exports of furniture and electric products rose notably in 2012, with Thailand having exported US$1.3 billon  worth of furniture and US$13 billion in electrical goods last year. The two sectors account for 12 per cent of Thai exports.

Mrs. Apiradi urged furniture and electric goods exporters to make the most out of the fact that these two items form part of FTAs that Thailand has in place with Australia, New Zealand, China and India.
 
These countries agreed to reduce tariffs in the two manufacturing categories to zero, effective last month.

A range of electrical goods including video players, sound systems and parts, refrigerators and air-conditioners are subject to further market openings in these countries, she said.

Mrs. Apiradi noted that Thailand’s FTA partners have the status of being both trading partners and competitors. Thai operators should thus adjust to face greater competition in the future. (TNA)-E007