Welcome to a splendid tale of international partnerships and the promise they hold for prosperity! Our protagonist today is none other than Thailand’s Prime Minister, Srettha Thavisin, poised for a journey to the gem of the Indian Ocean – Sri Lanka. It’s not just a voyage for stamping passports, but one that marks a significant leap in commerce as he is set to ink a monumental Free Trade Agreement (FTA) in the lovely month of February, following a dance of diplomacy that played out through rounds of spirited negotiations.
The air was abuzz with excitement when Chotima Iemsawasdikul, the esteemed director-general at the helm of the Commerce Ministry’s Department of Trade Negotiations, regaled members of the fourth estate with updates. It was a narrative of two nations – one known for its enchanting isles, Sri Lanka, hosting the enchanting ninth waltz of FTA discussions on the dates of December 18th–20th, a round graced by the strategic finesse of Auramon Supthaweethum, director-general of the Department of Business Development and an adviser who’s no stranger to the chessboard of FTA tactics.
Magic happened in November when the wheels of negotiation, after a four-year slumber induced by the sleeping giant called Covid-19 and the to-and-fro of Sri Lankan governmental reshuffling, sprung back to life. Ms. Chotima painted a picture of consensus – a harmony of wills that nodded in agreement on sundry facets ranging from trade rules to services, investments, and sparks of economic cooperation.
The next act in our tale takes us inside the hallowed halls of the cabinet where the parchment bearing the fruits of these talks will receive the seal of approval. This forms the clarion call for Prime Minister Thavisin to embark on his expedition to Sri Lanka, in response to the cordial beckoning by President Ranil Wickremesinghe himself.
Do not, for one moment, let the size of Sri Lanka fool you. Despite its modest population count of 22 million souls, this nation is a titan when it comes to maritime freight, straddling the vast Indian Ocean with prowess. It brings forth gifts from the earth – a trove of natural wonders, from gemstones that dance with light to graphite that holds the potential to scrawl the future, and the bounty of marine life that thrives beneath waves.
Thailand, a land of grand temples and vibrant markets, stands to reap a harvest of benefits across a spectrum of industries through this FTA. Imagine the gleam on automobiles rolling out more smoothly, the shimmer on fashion that echoes the sound of silks, the glint on gems and metals, and the sophistication encapsulating electronic goods. Envision machinery humming with efficiency, the stretch of protective gloves fashioned from rubber, the culinary promise in pet food, and the rustle of corn. This isn’t merely a transaction of goods; it’s a tapestry where the services sector, decked with the jewels of finance, insurance, the allure of tourism, and the crucibles of research and development, comes alive.
Let’s sprinkle some numbers to truly appreciate the stage of our narrative – from January to October, the waltz of two-way trade twirled to a tune worth a handsome US$320.37 million, and here’s how the ballet of exports and imports pirouetted: Thailand serenaded with exports worth a tidy $213.49 million, whilst it graciously pirouetted with imports from the gorgeous isle of Sri Lanka that swirled to the sum of $106.88 million.
What awaits is a symphony of synergy, as ancient siamese wisdom weds the serendipitous spirit of Sri Lanka in the form of this FTA. Mark your calendars for February, for that’s when the ink dries on a partnership poised to sail across the Indian Ocean, bridging cultures and markets, nurturing growth, and, above all, writing a new chapter of collaborative triumph.
Be First to Comment