Authority:Thai economy is expected to grow 3.5-4% in 2015

BANGKOK, October 27 (TNA) - Thai Industry Minister Chakramon Phasukvanich has assessed that the national economy should expand by 3.5-4 per cent year-on-year next year, on top of its projected growth by 1.5 per cent year-on-year this year. Chakramon made the forecast on Monday, pointing out that local business operators are receiving increasing purchase orders for the upcoming Christmas and New Year Festivals, which helps boost the national economy. Commerce Minister General Chatchai Sarikulya then told reporters that his ministry and the Board of Trade of Thailand have agreed to form four joint committees to work out international, internal and border trade strategies, as well as local product distribution to also help stimulate the national economy. General Chatchai revealed that the international trade strategy committee will also help promote Thai exports in new major markets, like emerging ones in other member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), as well as China and India. Meanwhile, Prime Minister General Prayut Cha-ocha cautioned that a sluggish global economy would be possible next year if a few world powers encountered economic woes. According to the Thai premier, his interim government is mobilizing all concerned agencies to cope with the anticipated global economic slowdown in 2015.(TNA)