Thai, RI to oppose dumping accusations

Thai, RI to oppose dumping accusations

Antara/TNA, Cancun, Mexico

Thailand is joining forces with Indonesia and Vietnam to
oppose U.S. accusations of dumping cheap prawns on the U.S.
market, according to Commerce Minister Adisai Bodharamik.

Speaking after discussions with his counterparts from
Indonesia and Vietnam, gathering in the Mexican resort of Cancun
for the World Trade Organization (WTO) ministerial meeting,
Adisai said that the three countries would hire a single legal
team to oppose the accusations, levelled by U.S. prawn farmers.

At the same time, the three countries would exchange
information to present their case, and demonstrate that the
accusations were unfounded, he said.

Adisai said that he had also engaged in talks with his
Nigerian counterpart, who had expressed an interest in joining
together with Thailand to produce rice, as Nigeria could not
produce enough rice for domestic consumption.

Describing this as a good opportunity for Thai investors who
wanted to put their money into rice farming ventures abroad, he
said that the Nigerian authorities also wanted Thai
agriculturalists to transfer rice-farming technology.

He noted that Nigeria had continually imported large
quantities of rice from Thailand, but that Thailands market share
was decreasing as cheaper Indian rice was entering the market.

The commerce minister expressed confidence that a deal with
Nigeria would help push up Thailands market share to previous
levels.