In Bangkok, Thailand (Source: AFP) Bangkok (VNA) - The ASEAN Economic Ministers' (AEM) Retreat, scheduled for April 23-24in Thailand’s Phuket, is expected to seethe signing of two vital agreements - the ASEAN Trade in Services Agreement(ATISA) and the fourth protocol amending the ASEAN Comprehensive InvestmentAgreement (ACIA).
Director Generalof the Thai Trade Negotiations Department Auramon Supthaweethum said as ASEANChair 2019, Thailand will focus on three major contents covering 13 economicpriorities, including future orientations, connectivity enhancement andsustainable development.
ATISA is meant todeepen the integration of the ASEAN services markets and introduce commitmentsrelated to services trade, creating a liberalised, stable and predictable environmentfor service suppliers in the region.
It replaces the current services agreement thatwas introduced in 1995, benefiting services in healthcare, tourism,accommodation, construction, convention and exhibition services.
ACIA covers notjust ASEAN investors, but also foreign investors in ASEAN countries, helpingto make the region more attractive to foreign investments.
ASEAN member countries completednegotiations on the two pacts late last year.
Two-way trade between Thailand and ASEAN grew by 13percent to 114 billion USD last year. Exports and imports reached 68.4 billionUSD and 45.5 billion USD, respectively. ASEAN accounted for 27 percent ofThailand’s exports.-VNA
Director Generalof the Thai Trade Negotiations Department Auramon Supthaweethum said as ASEANChair 2019, Thailand will focus on three major contents covering 13 economicpriorities, including future orientations, connectivity enhancement andsustainable development.
ATISA is meant todeepen the integration of the ASEAN services markets and introduce commitmentsrelated to services trade, creating a liberalised, stable and predictable environmentfor service suppliers in the region.
It replaces the current services agreement thatwas introduced in 1995, benefiting services in healthcare, tourism,accommodation, construction, convention and exhibition services.
ACIA covers notjust ASEAN investors, but also foreign investors in ASEAN countries, helpingto make the region more attractive to foreign investments.
ASEAN member countries completednegotiations on the two pacts late last year.
Two-way trade between Thailand and ASEAN grew by 13percent to 114 billion USD last year. Exports and imports reached 68.4 billionUSD and 45.5 billion USD, respectively. ASEAN accounted for 27 percent ofThailand’s exports.-VNA
VNA
