September 24, 2006	Sunday	Sha'aban 30, 1427

ISLAMABAD, Sept 23: The Pakistan-Thailand Joint Study Group (JSG) has agreed to start formal negotiations on free trade agreement (FTA) between the two countries.

An official told Dawn on Saturday that the understanding reached at the concluding of the third round of JSG meeting held here following detailed exchange of view on the contents of chapters prepared by the researchers of the two sides.

Despite the military coup in Thailand one day ahead of the proposed visit, which led to the arrest of Director General of Trade Negotiations of Thailand Commerce Ministry Chana Kanaratanadilok, the rest of delegation visited Pakistan and held positive talks on the joint studies.

According to the official, the two sides would now submit the reports to their respective governments for consideration. Following getting approval from the government, the two sides would start negotiations on the treaty, he said.