Thai rubber may be available via Alibaba

BANGKOK, April 27 (TNA) -- The Rubber Authority of Thailand (RAT) plans to export natural rubber through the network of Alibaba Group in addition to other measures to raise income for local rubber growers. Acting RAT governor Yiam Thawarorit said his organisation would discuss the idea on online commerce of Thai natural rubber with Alibaba Group because the group had worldwide customers. Apart from it, RAT would encourage rubber growers to process rubber by turning latex into smoked sheet rubber, compound rubber and block rubber instead of selling only latex, he said. Besides, RAT will establish a joint venture with organisations of rubber growers to sell rubber products to local and international buyers. Mr Yiam said RAT also planned to set up sales offices in other countries including Qingdao in China. According to him, China’s rubber consumption forms 35% of worldwide rubber consumption. In the long-run, RAT will train rubber farmers’ organisations to manufacture rubber products like pillows, mattresses, gloves, socks, housewares, medical equipment and tyres as 7-8 billion people worldwide demand them. Thailand is the world’s biggest rubber producer, exporting about 120,000 tons of natural rubber yearly. (TNA)