FTA with Japan not a threat to environment

17 Feb '07

1 min read

The proposed Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with Japan is expected to be significantly beneficial for the shipping industry.

Shipping associations believe that this FTA might just be the answer for all their problems.

However, several NGOs have raised concerns that the deal may lead to Japanese dumping waste and harmful chemicals in the country.

While National Shippers' Council is urging the Government to speed up the approval, domestic and international NGOs trust the PM Surayud Chulanont to keep his word and put off the conclusion for atleast three months.

Activists say that these three months will provide enough time for analysts and experts to study and offer their opinions on the matter.

Suchat Chantaranakaracha, Head, Thai National Shippers' Council, expressed complete support from him and his 2,700 members for this pact.

He explained that Thailand would be able to expand his exports to Japan and remain competitive in global market. It is estimated that textile export to Japan would grow over 50 percent, from current US $200 million annually.

When asked about the environmental concerns, Suchat disapproved and said the advantages outweighed all other factors.

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