Associated Press

Bangkok, July 3:

A fourth round of Thai-US free trade negotiations will focus on obstacles related to non-tariff barriers, plant and animal sanitary measures and support for small and medium-sized enterprises, the national news agency said. More than 80 Thai delegates will take part in the free trade agreement talks in the US state of Montana on July 11-15, the Thai News Agency reported. A draft agreement on science and technology co-operation is also on the agenda.

The proposed deal has drawn some criticism in Thailand due to concerns that parts of it could be detrimental to national interests. But Washington says the deal would boost Thailand’s economic growth and create tens of thousands of new jobs. Sanitary measures to be discussed would affect Thai exports of agricultural products, including chicken and fruit, the agency quoted delegation leader Nitya Pibulsongkram as saying. Non-tariff barriers issues include setting industry standards for goods that Thailand wants to export to the US, especially consumer electronic and information technology products. Thailand would also like to include a US commitment to support the entry of its small- and medium-sized enterprises into the American market.