thailand china 12 03 02

THAILAND AND CHINA TO ESTABLISH BILATERAL FREE-TRADE AREA

   Bangkok, Mar. 11 (VNA) -- Thailand and China are discussing a plan to set up a bilateral free-trade area, reports a Bangkok-based Viet Nam News Agency correspondent.
   The correspondent quoted sources from Thailand's Matichon newspaper as saying that Chairman of the Thai Commerce Ministry's Economic Department Buntima Limaskul and the Chinese Commercial Counsellor in Thailand have discussed cooperation plan on establishing a free-trade area between the two countries.
   The free-trade area would contribute to expanding trade relations and investment between Thailand and China, the paper said. It added that the area will help encourage investors from other countries to produce goods in Thailand to be exported to China as they are subject to preferential tax.--VNA