EXIM Bank:Thai exports should grow by 7-9% in 2018

BANGKOK, July 25 (TNA) - The Export-Import Bank of Thailand (EXIM Bank) says that the country's exports should grow by 7-9 per cent year-on-year on average in 2018. EXIM Bank President Pisit Serewiwattana told journalists of the projection on Wednesday, noting that Thailand's export growth this year, if meeting the forecast figures, should earn the Kingdom's 253-257 billion US dollars, based on the projection that the national economy should grow by 4-5 per cent year-on-year in 2018. The EXIM Bank president attributed the expanding Thai exports to the recovering global economies, especially those in neighboring countries in the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC), and the rising trend of world oil prices. The EXIM Bank president cautioned, however, that there are remaining risk factors against the growing Thai exports, including impacts from natural disasters, political disputes in foreign countries and tit-for-tat trade protectionist measures between the United States and China and other major trading partners, as well as the unstable exchange rates. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Commerce is exploring more opportunities for Thai exporters in Japan, especially for those running small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). (TNA)