Thailand has concluded negotiations on a free trade agreement (FTA) with the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), marking its first such deal with European countries, Commerce Minister Pichai Naripthaphan announced. The agreement with EFTA members Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein follows two years of talks and covers areas including trade in goods, rules of origin, trade facilitation, sanitary regulations, intellectual property, and sustainable development practices.
The FTA aligns with Thailand’s strategy to enhance trade relations and attract foreign investment. The agreement will be submitted to the Cabinet for approval, with a formal signing expected during Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s attendance at the World Economic Forum in Davos in January 2025.