Thailand and Hong Kong sign trade deal

Next step is Hong Kong's accession to the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area.

Hong Kong and Thailand have signed a cooperation arrangement on strengthening trade and economic relations. The arrangement aims to encourage and promote economic cooperation in trade in goods and services, investment and trade-related rules and regulations.

It will also foster closer collaboration of small and medium enterprises, and logistics and transport and tourism. Information and communication technology, applied research and development, human resource development, intellectual property rights and the creative economy's development are also expected to benefit from the pact.

Secretary for Commerce & Economic Development Gregory So and Thai Minister of Commerce Boonsong Teriyapirom signed the pact in Hong Kong as Chief Executive CY Leung and Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra witnessed the signing ceremony.

So said Thailand is an important trading partner and the pact signifies the development of closer trade and economic ties between the two sides.

"As the next step, we look forward to further enhancing economic ties between Hong Kong and Thailand through Hong Kong's eventual accession to the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area. We are delighted and encouraged to receive Thailand's support for our request for accession to the free trade area.”