Bangkok--22 Aug--Francom Asia
The European Union (EU), in cooperation with the Department of Foreign Trade under the Ministry of Commerce, is hosting a series of seminars and workshops to explain the new Rules of Origin under the EU's General System of Preferences (GSP) to Thai business community, civil society, academia and government agencies.
The three one-day seminars are taking place in Bangkok and Chiangmai throughout the first week of August Details of the three seminars are as follows:
- August 2 Bangkok New EU-GSP Rules of Origin for Food and Agricultural Products
- August 3 Bangkok New EU-GSP Rules of Origin for Industrial Products
- August 5 Chiangmai Challenges and Opportunities for Thai Exporters
During these sessions, two experts from the Dutch Customs Administration, Mr. Gert van't Spijker and Ms. Marie-Loiuse Willemsen, will disseminate information on the new EU preferential rules of origin to Thai business community to ensure efficiency, accuracy and transparency. The discussion will also serve to facilitate interactive dialogue among the different business communities, as well as encourage transfer of knowledge on EU best practices to their counterparts.
Mr Mikael Sami, First Secretary, Trade and Economic Section, Delegation of the European Union to Thailand, said: "Our aim is to enhance a better understanding of the new EU preferential Rules of Origin, which is simpler and development-friendlier. In order to benefit from lower import duties under the EU's GSP, Thai producers must be able to proof that the products have been originated in Thailand. It is essential for the exporters to fully understand the new EU rules to ensure that the rules of origin are fulfilled and properly documented."
"In addition, last May, the European Commission adopted a Proposal for reform of the EU GSP scheme and which focuses on the "developing countries in needs". It is expected that the new GSP scheme will be in force at the beginning of 2014 at the latest. The reformed GSP if adopted in its present form, will reduce the number of beneficiaries from around 176 to 80 countries, depending on income levels and other criteria. Countries like Thailand will continue to enjoy benefits under the GSP scheme. However, depending on its competitiveness on a sectoral basis and the general level of income, there may be a reduction in such benefits.
In this context, it is important to emphasise that the EU is also offering FTA negotiations to its key trading partners, offering a long-lasting and predictable tariff and regulatory regime with the EU. The EU is already in the process of negotiating such FTAs with ASEAN countries, such as Singapore and Malaysia, and is willing to consider the negotiation of a bilateral FTA with Thailand which will bring substantial mutual benefits to both sides in terms of improved market access including agreement on rules for bilateral trade on such key issues as IPR, standards, procurement, investments and in other important areas " Mr Sami added.
The European Union is the second largest export destination of Thailand, after ASEAN. Last year, Thailand exported about THB 721 billion (?17 billion) worth of products to the EU and enjoyed trade surplus amounting to about half of its imports from the EU. In 2009, Thailand is the second largest beneficiary of the EU's GSP scheme after India.
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