New FTA with Thailand comes into force

Trade Minister Jim Sutton is hailing the Thailand-New Zealand free trade agreement as the most significant trade deal since CER.

It comes into force today and provides immediate duty-free access to more than half of New Zealand's current exports and full free trade over a longer period.

Mr Sutton says it is an historic deal and he is pleased it has finally come in to force. He says Thailand is a major market with 70 million people and is protected by high tariffs.

- NEWSTALK ZB