Thai Exporters Urged To Focus On Asean

By Piyarat Nisangkard BANGKOK, Oct 28 (Bernama) -- Thai exporters have been urged to focus on the Asean market, particularly Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, the Philippines and Brunei, due to the flagging global markets. Prime Minister Gen Prayuth Chan-ocha said it was quite hard to rely on other markets amid flagging global markets with the exception of a few. He said the government and private sector were working together to negotiate with partner countries to boost exports. Thailand expects to export 11 million tonnes of rice next year to regain its status as the number of world rice exporter, he told reporters at the Government House here Monday. Thailand's export in August declined 7.4 per cent to US$18.9 billion compared with the corresponding period of last year. Prayuth said the government planned to release its rice stockpile as it cost about 2 billion baht monthly for the warehouse storage. Meanwhile, the Commerce Ministry and the Board of Trade of Thailand are setting up four working committees to revitalise domestic and foreign trade next year. Commerce Minister Gen Chatchai Sarikulya said the government would work with the private sector to draw up stimulus plans and solve trade issues. The four working committees will each take charge of international trade promotion strategies, domestic trade promotion strategies, cross-border trade, and domestic market distribution. Board of Trade chairman Isara Vongkusolkit said the working committee on international trade would promote stronger exports by focusing on emerging markets, such as Asean, China and India, as well as potential markets. -- BERNAMA