Foreign importers arrive for business matching with Thai exporters

BANGKOK, December 1 (TNA) - Some 40 importers from 15 countries are visiting Thailand for a business matching program with about 100 Thai exporters, set from December 1-3, with their deals expected to help raise the value of Thai exports next year. The foreign importers, representing department stores, retail stores, supermarkets and general traders from North America, Europe, Latin America and Africa, were received by Thai Commerce Minister General Chatchai Sarikulya in Bangkok on Monday. The commerce minister then told journalists that the visiting trading partners’ demands for Thai products are various, including food items, beverages, rice, rice-based products, household appliances and ornaments. According to the minister, the foreign importers are also inspecting local factories and production lines which meet international standards. The commerce minister said he hopes the foreign importers' ongoing visit to Thailand will ensure a bright prospect for Thai exports from next year onwards. Meanwhile, the ministry's Department of International Trade Promotion is planning export strategies for 2015, expected to be completed by the end of this month. Under the planned strategies, the department will maintain Thailand's existing overseas markets, while also exploring new and potential markets so that the value of Thai exports will meet the ministry's targeted growth rate of 4 per cent in 2015 despite the unpromising global economy. (TNA)