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Regional trading arrangements have increasingly been a strong current in the world economy. Presently, there are at least 32 regional trading blocs in the world (Czinkota, Moffett, and Ronkeinen, 1999). For Thailand, free trade area may be a particularly interesting issue in its current international economic situation due to the country's having signed the ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA) agreement since 1992. Furthermore, the program under the Free Trade Area agreement has not affected only the international trade pattern of the country, but the agreement has also highly influenced the nature of investment of the country. In order to benefit as much as possible from the scheme, both domestic and international investors should thus follow closely the progress of the agreement as well as try to adjust their ways of doing business, especially as regards Thailand. |
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Further details on the subject are provided in the multi-part series of essays on the topic of "The Impacts of the ASEAN Free Trade Area on Thailand." The series will at least cover most of the following sub-themes during the course of the weeks to come. |
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1. What is FTA?
Providing basic knowledge of the features of a Free Trade Area in a theoretical perspective. |
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2. What is AFTA?
Introducing the ASEAN Free Trade Area as well as reporting its present status, such as, the progressive tariff reduction scheme of the ASEAN member countries. |
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6. How Attractive is Thailand as a Destination for Investment?
Analysis of the present economic situation and investment environment of Thailand within the ASEAN framework.
Analysis of the advantages and the strengths of Thailand at the present stage in attracting foreign investors to increase their investment activities in the country. |
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| 7. The Future of Thailand in relation to AFTA and other FTAs. |
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