Thai exports to Latin America expected to grow by 3% in 2017

BANGKOK, February 20 (TNA) - The Ministry of Commerce has targeted that Thai exports to Latin America should grow by 3 per cent year-on-year in 2017. Malee Chokelamlert, Director-General of the ministry's Department of International Trade Promotion, told journalists on February 19 the target has been set based on the fact that the Latin American economy as a whole has been gradually recovering amid its stable political situation. Malee said Thailand should, thus, ship more products to the Latin American market, with Thai exports, thus, set to expand by 3 per cent year-on-year this year. According to the senior official, a most promising market for Thai exports in Latin America is Mexico, where imports from its neighbouring United States should drop during the Trump administration currently, providing more opportunities for Thai exporters, instead. The senior official reported that Thai exports to Mexico totaled about 2.82 billion US dollars last year, a 1.31 per cent year-on-year increase. The senior official noted that major Thai exports to Mexico in 2016 included automobiles and parts, as well as computer and facsimile sets. The senior official acknowledged that Argentina is another most promising market for Thai exports in Latin America, with shipments of Thai products to the Argentine market totaled over 980 million US dollars in 2016, a 45.54 per cent surge from 2015, with major Thai exports to Argentina included automobiles and parts, computer sets and rubber products. (TNA)