Sri Lanka seeks market access for local fruits in Thailand
Daily FT: Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Thailand and Permanent Representative to UNESCAP, C.A. Chaminda I. Colonne recently discussed with Deputy Director-General of the Department of Agriculture Dr. Pongthai Thaiyothin on the progress of the application to open the Thai market for 5 types of Sri Lankan fruits.
These fruits are fresh fire coconut, wood apple, pineapple, dragon fruit, and Scotch Bonnet pepper. The meeting was held at the Department of Agriculture of Thailand.
Speedy implementation of the MoU on Agricultural Cooperation and MoU on Cooperation on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures signed in 2004 were also discussed.
Senior officials of the Department of Agriculture of Thailand, and First Secretary (Commercial) of the Sri Lanka Embassy in Thailand Vireshika Bandara also joined the discussion.
OSL take:
Sri Lanka and Thailand enjoy strong historical, bilateral and trade ties that will be further strengthened by a free trade agreement (FTA). The Sri Lanka-Thai FTA will increase trade, business and investment opportunities between the two countries. The Sri Lankan Government is hopeful of concluding the FTA within the 1st quarter of this year. Sri Lanka’s exports sector that has greatly benefited by the many trade agreements as well as trade concessions enjoyed by Sri Lanka with many countries would receive a further boost by the Sri Lanka-Thai FTA. Given the growing business/investment opportunities in Sri Lanka, Thai businesses/investors could confidently explore the expanding opportunities in Sri Lanka. Thai businesses could also look at forming partnerships or joint ventures with local businesses with the aim of further expansion and vice versa. Meanwhile, other foreign businesses/investors interested in doing business with Thailand could look at setting up base in Sri Lanka to engage with Thailand as well as with other countries Sri Lanka has trade agreements with.
| Article Code : | VBS/AT/20240123/Z_3 |