State rushes to complete studies on CPTPP pact

The Finance Ministry is speeding up its study on the pros and cons of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), as well as working on protective measures to cushion against the impact of the pact if Thailand decides to join.

Finance Minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith said he sees greater opportunities to expand exports if Thailand joins the CPTPP.

The CPTPP was launched in 2019 to remove trade barriers among 11 nations representing nearly 500 million consumers in Asia-Pacific.

The pact replaced the Trans-Pacific Partnership, a similar trade deal that included the US until the Trump administration decided to withdraw.

Mr Arkhom, as chairman of a working panel in charge of the CPTPP study on government and state enterprise procurement, said the complete findings will be forwarded to the International Trade Policy Committee…