Chilean Foreign Minister Ignacio Walker and his Thai counterpart Kantathi Suphamongkhon on Friday discussed setting up a joint study group in preparation for talks on a free trade agreement (FTA) between the two countries, ministry officials said.

The two met in the Thai capital of Bangkok to exchange ideas on reaching an FTA.

The two sides also signed an agreement to exempt businesses from double taxation, which was part of Chile's efforts to enhance its trade ties with Asian countries.

Chile and Thailand held their first round of pre-free trade talks in Santiago in January 2005, and are set to hold the next round Monday through Friday next week in Bangkok.

Thailand is one of the most dynamic economies in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

It is Chile's 28th largest trading partner and 31st largest buyer of Chilean products.

Source: Xinhua