Thailand is prepared for the establishment of an ASEAN joint working committee once the ASEAN Economic Community is formed at the end of next year, Thai new agency reported.

Thai Commerce Minister Chatchai Sarikulya said at a meeting entitled "Insights ASEAN Summit 2014" in Bangkok that the committee is mainly tasked with supporting ASEAN in becoming a peaceful region and promoting cooperation between the bloc and economies outside, according to the agency.

Two-way trade between Thailand and ASEAN member countries reached over 101 billion USD last year, with exports to ASEAN accounting for 25.9 percent of the total figure.

During the first seven months of the year, Thai exports to ASEAN were valued at more than 57 billion USD.

The establishment of the committee after December 31, 2015 will meet the needs of people wishing for peace in the region as well as cooperation with countries outside the region, Chatchai said.-VNA