On 9 October 2024, the Office of Commercial Affairs of Thailand in Brussels organized a “Focus Group Meeting with European Business Stakeholders : A Focus on Trade and Sustainable Development” at Brussels Press Club to discuss negotiations on the Trade and Sustainable Development (TSD) chapter under the Thailand-EU FTA with representatives from the private sector and industrial associations in the European Union (EU). The Focus Group was attended by Heads of Team Thailand Offices in Brussels, such as the Office of Agricultural Affairs and the Office of Customs Affairs. In total, there were over 60 participants both on-site and online, including representatives from the European Association for Business and Commerce (EABC), the automotives, services, food/beverages, and logistics sectors.

H.E. Mrs. Kanchana Patarachoke, Ambassador of Thailand to Belgium, delivered the opening remarks. She emphasized that the FTA would benefit both sides and that the EU is already Thailand’s 4th largest trading partner and 6th largest investor. With an FTA in place, trade and investment between Thailand and the EU are expected to increase even more. As for negotiations on the Trade and Sustainable Development chapter, Thailand and the EU have shared values in giving importance to sustainable development, environmental conservation, and human rights. Therefore, Thai-EU trade would support sustainable development, ensuring inclusivity and leaving no one behind, and facilitating a just transition for Thailand, as a developing country, to gradually adapt to a green economy.

Mr. Pathkamol Dattibongs, Trade Officer Expert Level, and Thailand’s Lead Negotiator for the TSD chapter in the Thailand-EU FTA, gave information on the overall positive progress in the Thai-EU FTA negotiations and exchanged views with the EU private sector on trade facilitation, market access, Thailand’s readiness on digital trade, labour standards, and public procurement.

Ms. Siribhusaya Ungphakorn, Minister for Commerce, delivered the closing remarks, reassuring the EU private sector that their feedback would be taken into account as part of preparations for the 4th round of Thailand-EU FTA negotiations during 25 – 29 November 2024 in Bangkok.

In addition to supporting the Thailand-EU FTA negotiation in their capacity, the Thai Parliament approved the “Thailand-EU Comprehensive Partnership and Cooperation Agreement – PCA” on 29 August 2024 to advance Thailand-EU cooperation in all dimensions.