FTA Fund to amend criteria for better aid to affected operators

BANGKOK, 14 April 2010 (NNT) – The FTA Fund will amend rules and regulations for better assistance to business operators in several FTA made with other countries, and to help involved parties that are prone to get the effect from any free trade commitment, according to Mr Wichak Wisetnot, the Director-General of the Department of Foreign Trade.

Mr Wichak said that at the meeting of the FTA Fund Board, chaired by Mr Yanyong Poungrat, the Permanent Secretary for Commerce, it was agreed that the criteria would be extended to support the affected operators and other involved parties from the free trade agreements. The FTA Fund also approved to support the three projects worth 24.68 million THB which are:

1. production and maketing development project for the export of pineapple to Japan under the Japan – Thailand Economic Partnership Agreement (JTEPA), worth 8.25 million THB

2. the research project for added value on GABA-rice products, worth 7 million THB

3.Thai farmers promotion project to heighten farmers’ capacity in dealing with the FTA, worth 9.43 million THB.

Meanwhile, the Commerce Ministry has already assisted 24 projects, worth 182.28 million THB. The fund remained at 34.75 million THB and that all operators or producers getting an effect from any FTA can propose their projects for the ministry’s support. Further details can be obtained at the Department of Foreign Trade, at 1385 or 0 25474818 or Fax no. 0 25474816.