The second round of Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations between Bhutan and Thailand was held in Bangkok, Thailand, from September 17-19, 2024. The meeting was co-chaired by Mr. Sonam Tshering Dorji, Director of the Department of Trade, Ministry of Industry, Commerce, and Employment of Bhutan, and Ms. Chotima Iemsawasdikul, Director General of the Department of Trade Negotiation, Ministry of Commerce of Thailand. The negotiations included representatives from various relevant government agencies of both Bhutan and Thailand.

The meeting discussed the Consolidated Draft Text of the agreement comprising 10 chapters covering trade in goods, rules of origin, Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) measures, customs procedures & trade facilitation among others. Significant progress was made during the negotiations culminating in the in principle finalization of several chapters such as economic cooperation, customs procedures and trade facilitation, technical barriers to trade and SPS and both sides committed to maintaining the momentum aiming to conclude the FTA negotiations by 2025 as desired by both Governments.

On the sidelines of the meeting, the Director also had a courtesy call on with the Deputy Minister of Commerce of Thailand. The Minister commended both sides on the rapid progress made in the negotiations and expressed confidence in meeting the ambitious target of concluding negotiations by next year. Bhutan will host the third round of FTA negotiations by the end of 2024 and until then, both sides will continue discussions through intersessional meetings.