Chile, Thailand conclude second round of FTA negotiations

Chile and Thailand on Thursday concluded here the second round of negotiations on a free trade agreement (FTA).


During this round, both delegations discussed topics related to goods trade and cooperation, rules of origins, customs procedures, sanitary and phytosanitary measures, technical obstacles for trading, legal issues and services and investments.


Chief of the Chilean delegation Rodrigo Contreras said that "regarding goods, the result was very meaningful."


In the other sectors, there were no big differences, "but there was a great understanding between the countries, which is a very good signal for reaching an agreement in the short term," Contreras said.


The third round will be held in July in Thailand.


"Both countries have expressed their intention of closing the negotiations in the first half of 2012, so we will make our best efforts," Contreras added.


Chile currently has trade agreements with Brunei, Singapore and Malaysia, and it is also negotiating one with Vietnam.
(Source:http://news.xinhuanet.com)