Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak shakes hand with Sri Lanka's President Maithripala Sirisena at a Thailand-Sri Lanka business forum in Bangkok in November 2015. (Bangkok Post file photo)Thailand is unlikely to be able to sign a free-trade agreement (FTA) with Sri Lanka this year as expected, according to a high-ranking state official. Boonyarit Kalayanamit, director-general of the Trade Negotiations Department, said the planned Thailand-Sri Lanka FTA is still being studied and is likely be completed in July. The sectors in which Sri Lanka is eager to attract Thai investment include jewellery, electronics, consumer products and industrial estates. Sri Lanka and Thailand first began considering an FTA in 2016, when Mr Somkid made an official visit to the island nation.

Source: Bangkok Post May 11, 2017 00:44 UTC