SL-Thailand FTA will come into force in January

Thailand Ambassador in Colombo Paitoon Mahapannaporn said that the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) signed between Thailand and Sri Lanka which will be effective from January next year, will expand bilateral trade and market opportunities.

He hoped that this FTA, covering a wide range of areas such as trade in goods and services and investment, will expand economic cooperation.

The Ambassador was speaking at a reception hosted by the Thailand Embassy in Colombo to mark its National Day recently. Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Sunil Handunnetti was the chief guest.

The National Day of Thailand falls on December 5 every year, and is also commemorated as the birth anniversary of the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej, and Thailand’s Father’s Day and World Soil Day, the Ambassador said.

“It is heartening to invite you to join us in commemorating the magnificent work and dedication of the late King, who had devoted himself throughout the 70 years of his reign to help improve the quality of lives and well-being of the Thai people,” the Ambassador said.

The Ambassador said that the late King had bestowed a visionary thinking, known as the ‘Sufficiency Economy Philosophy’, a development model which fosters the spirit of self-reliance and moderation as guidelines for living.

He also extended his warmest congratulations to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake for his historic victory at the Presidential Election and to the newly-elected Parliamentarians at the peaceful and democratic General Election. “Sri Lanka has entered the new chapter of its history,” he added.

The Ambassador added that since October 15, the visa requirement for Sri Lankans has been lifted to facilitate more people-to-people visits. “This is welcome news for our Sri Lankan friends. To strengthen our business ties, the Thai Embassy has brought Thai companies from various sectors to engage with Sri Lankan business counterparts and explore opportunities for future collaboration in areas such as agriculture, food processing, medicine, energy and tourism,” he added.

He reiterated that Thailand is a time-tested friend of Sri Lanka. “We look forward to working closely with Sri Lanka for mutual prosperity and sustainable growth, and to elevate our strong ties to a higher level,” he added.

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