China waives import duty for more Thai products

BANGKOK, February 14 (TNA) - China has additionally waived import duty on more than 150 items of Thai products since January 1, 2012, under the China–ASEAN Free Trade Agreement (China-ASEAN FTA). Surasak Riangkrua, Deputy Director-General of the Thai Ministry of Commerce's Department of Foreign Trade, said that most of the additional Thai goods on the latest import-tariff-waiver list approved by Beijing are those which were highly-levied previously, namely colour photographic films, motorcycles, jewelries, electrical and electronic appliances covering electric razors, toasters and hair stylist kits. According to the senior official, other Thai products beneficial from the new Chinese import duty exemption include food items such as margarine, preserved vegetable and fruits, jam, as well as orange and tomato juice. Urging Thai business operators to further utilize the China-ASEAN FTA, the senior official acknowledged that Thailand's export value to China in 2011, under the FTA between China and the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), reached 9.36 billion US dollars, a 84.29 per cent year-on-year surge. (TNA)