Thailand’s exports in January grew 8.8 per cent

BANGKOK, Feb 28 (TNA) -- Thailand’s exports in January grew 8.8 percent as positive global outlook and higher demands from major markets, the Commerce Ministry announces on Monday. The country’s exports expanded for a third consecutive month in January, rising to US$17.09 billion, Pimchanok Vonkorpon, Director of the Ministry’s Trade Policy and Strategy Office said in a press conference. With imports rose 5.17 per cent to $16.27 billion, Thailand had a trade surplus of $826 million in January, according to Pimchanok. Last year, exports went up 1 per cent after three years of contraction. Last month, the exports which constituted about 70 per cent of Thailand’s gross domestic product (GDP) last year, is attributed mainly to higher oil prices and growing demands from major markets, notably, the US, Japan and the European Union. The Ministry was confidence that the country’s exports this year would expand by at least 3.5 percent, reaching US$222.8 billion, Ms Pimchanok said. (TNA)