NONTHABURI, Dec 12 (TNA) –The Commerce Ministry and exporters are determined to realize 8% export growth next year, emphasizing marketing campaigns in Asia.
Banjongjitt Angsusingh, director-general of the Department of International Trade Promotion, said the ministry and exporters discussed exports in the fourth quarter and they were confident that exports would grow by 8% this year as earlier expected.
In the first 10 months of 2018 expanded well by 8.2% year-on-year, she said.
For next year, despite negative impacts, the Commerce Ministry and exporters believed exports could increase by 8% to US$276,011 million with proactive marketing campaigns with the networks of Thai product importers in Asian countries including China, India and Hong Kong, Ms Banjongjitt said.
She considered foreign exchange rates, oil prices and the trade war as risky factors.
Sanan Angubolkul, vice chairman of the Board of Trade of Thailand, said exports of farm products could grow by 3-4% and those of industrial products by 6-8% next year. He saw obvious export growth potential with electronics, automobiles, food, construction materials and refined oil.
He said that rubber exports could increase by 5% next year despite a 20% plunge this year and that the US-China trade war would have limited impacts as many Thai industries remained competitive. (TNA)
