Seoul (VNA) – Thailand and the Republic of Korea (RoK) on December 17 kicked off the third round of their talks for an Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) aimed at broadening trade and investment exchanges, according to RoK's Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy.
During the three-day meeting in Bangkok, the two sides will discuss ways to enhance bilateral ties in 18 sectors, including services, investment, finance and the environment, it said.
Thailand is the RoK's 18th largest trade partner globally and fifth among Southeast Asian nations.
According to RoK Deputy Minister for FTA Negotiations Roh Keon-ki, his government is currently engaging in trade negotiations proactively with key partners without disruptions. The RoK will seek to speed up negotiations for an EPA with Thailand, a key member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), to expand trade and investment exchanges with the region and help Korean firms enter markets with strong domestic consumption and growth potential, he added.
An EPA aims to establish a mutually beneficial trade network with partner nations beyond a simple market opening, though it covers a smaller scope compared to a traditional FTA./.
