ส.อ.ท. หารือกระทรวงพาณิชย์ เดินหน้าผลักดันมาตรการส่งออก พยุงไทยรับมือ-ปรับตัวFTI Discusses Export Measures with the Ministry of Commerce to Support Thailand's Adaptation

On Thursday, July 24, 2025, Mr. Kriangkrai Theeranukul, Chairman of the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI), along with the FTI Board, welcomed and congratulated Mr. Jaturaporn Burusphat, Minister of Commerce, and Mr. Chanthawij Thanasit, Deputy Minister of Commerce, on their new appointments while discussing ways to enhance cooperation between the government and the private sector at the Passion Conference Room (802), 8th floor of the Federation of Thai Industries.

Mr. Jaturaporn Burusphat, Minister of Commerce, stated that Thailand is currently facing challenges in exports due to various trade mechanisms and regulations in different countries, as well as geopolitical issues that directly impact operators. Additionally, there are risks from climate change affecting production and agriculture. Therefore, this discussion is a good opportunity for close collaboration to find solutions and address issues effectively.

Mr. Kriangkrai Theeranukul, Chairman of the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI), mentioned that the FTI currently oversees 47 industry groups, 11 clusters, and 76 provincial industrial councils under the ONE FTI policy (One Vision, One Team, One Goal), which signifies having a shared vision (One Vision)
working as one team (One Team), and aiming for a common goal (One Goal).

This policy aims to unify all sectors of the Thai industry to work cohesively in the same direction.
Moreover, the FTI emphasizes uplifting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which are a key business sector crucial for the Thai economy, through the 4GO strategy, which includes:
GO Digital & AI – Supporting operators in adopting digital technology and artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance production efficiency, management, and customer service to keep pace with the digital era.
GO Innovation – Promoting new innovations in production processes, products, and services to create differentiation and increase value for Thai businesses.
GO Global – Encouraging operators to expand their markets internationally, including exports, joint ventures, and developing international business networks.
GO Green – Focusing on developing environmentally friendly industries, reducing carbon emissions, and utilizing resources sustainably to align with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

All of these reflect the FTI's role as a central body in driving the Thai industry to grow robustly, modernly, and sustainably on a global scale.

Mr. Apichit Prasoprat, Vice Chairman of the Federation of Thai Industries and President of the Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises Institute of Manufacturing Industry (SMI), added that the FTI aims to support the operations of the Ministry of Commerce in various areas, such as integrating curricula and activities to promote international trade with the private sector, expanding the SME Pro-active project, and establishing comprehensive marketing and export consultancy centers.

Mr. Nava Chantanasurakhan, Vice Chairman of the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI), indicated that Thailand's key export products affected by U.S. trade measures include furniture, tires, hard disks, rubber gloves, apparel, canned and processed fruits, computers and equipment, ceramics, medical instruments, leather shoes, miscellaneous metals, plastics, air conditioning units, canned seafood, and machinery.

Therefore, the FTI's significant proposals to the Ministry of Commerce are as follows:
1.    Advance measures to assist operators affected by retaliatory tariff measures (Reciprocal Tariff)
o    Support legal advisors or experts to assist SMEs lacking experience or sufficient capital.
o    Promote measures to reduce operational costs related to the Ministry of Commerce, such as fees for certificates of origin.
2.    Advocate for negotiations to reduce tariffs on U.S. products under other statutes.
o    Particularly, negotiations to reduce tariffs under Section 232 of the U.S. for steel, aluminum, automotive, parts, and accessories.
3.    Create a proactive role in implementing trade measures to mitigate TRADE DIVERSION impacts.
o    Monitor increased imports or dumping products without waiting for private sector complaints to ensure swift use of trade measures that align with free and fair trade principles.
o    Utilize trade measures beyond antidumping measures (Anti-Dumping: AD), including safeguards for increased imports (Safeguard Measure: SG) and countervailing duty measures (Countervailing Duty: CVD) to ensure that the protection of Thai operators is effective and in line with the current situation.
o    Consider import control measures according to the Export and Import Act B.E. 2522.

4.    Advocate for opening new markets.
o    Accelerate negotiations for new Free Trade Agreements (FTAs).
o    Support budgets to expand new markets, such as the SME Pro-active project and organizing Trade Mission activities (aligning with the GO Global plan).
o    Promote increased procurement proportions for Thai products (Made in Thailand: MiT).
5.    Enhance the border trade ecosystem to develop regional economies.

Mrs. Pimchaya Liasirarakul, Vice Chairperson of the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) and President of the Creative Industry and Soft Power Institute (CISPI), proposed ways to support the creation of added value through intellectual property (IP) such as:
•    Linking IP knowledge, such as establishing a Creative IP Clinic in collaboration with the Department of Intellectual Property to provide consultancy and training for operators in the creative industry.
•    Designing sustainable IP products/patterns, such as organizing Design & Pattern Bootcamps to innovate products and patterns, and quickly securing protection rights.
•    Establishing a fund for supporting IP audits and registration fees for MSEs and SMEs.

Mr. Jaturaporn concluded that many of the FTI's proposals align with the policies that the Ministry of Commerce is already promoting, and all points will be carefully considered, closely coordinated, and followed up regularly to achieve concrete outcomes as soon as possible.

“Strategic constant, tactical adjustment, we will work together with full capacity,” said Mr. Jaturaporn.

In this meeting, participants included:
-    Mr. Treerat Sirichantaropas, Advisor to the Minister of Commerce 
-    Ms. Pattharanan Tongprapan, Advisor to the Minister of Commerce 
-    Mr. Phatthanai Maiphanet, Advisor to the Minister of Commerce 
-    Mr. Preedee Dee-buk-kham, Working Group of the Deputy Minister of Commerce 
-    Mr. Setthavut Ketkaew, Working Group of the Deputy Minister of Commerce 
-    Ms. Piriyane Wankij, Working Group of the Deputy Minister of Commerce.

Including participants from agencies under the Ministry of Commerce:
-    Mr. Wuttikrai Lieweeraphan, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Commerce 
-    Ms. Orman Saptaveethum, Director-General of the Department of Business Development 
-    Mr. Witiakorn Manee-net, Director-General of the Department of Internal Trade 
-    Ms. Chotima Iamsawadikul, Director-General of the Department of International Trade Negotiations 
-    Ms. Arada Fueangthong, Director-General of the Department of Foreign Trade 
-    Mr. Poonphong Nainapakhorn, Director of the Office of Trade Policy and Strategy 
-    Mr. Kittiwat Pachimanan, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Intellectual Property 
-    Mr. Phonwich Sila-on, Deputy Director-General of the Department of International Trade Promotion 
-    Ms. Nattiya Sujinda, Deputy Director of the Office of Trade Policy and Strategy 
-    Ms. Lilin Kowutthikullarin, Director of the Import Management and Certification Division, Department of Foreign Trade 
-    Ms. Malai Gor Kaewsomneuk, Director of the Office for Trade Preparation 
-    Ms. Pornphanan Silawatchthumrong, Director of the Agricultural Products Trade Policy and Strategy Division, Office of Trade Policy and Strategy 
-    Ms. Bansophit Nontree, Director of the Management System Development Group, Department of Business Development 
-    Ms. Orakan Sarachit, Division for Promoting Intellectual Property Development, Department of Intellectual Property 
-    Ms. Krongthong Thaetthiangtham, Office of International Trade Strategy, Department of International Trade Promotion.