Thailand Expects Small Export Growth This Year

By Piyarat Nisangkard BANGKOK (Thailand), Nov 27 (Bernama) -- Thailand is optimistic of recording a small growth in exports this year, encouraged by the data in October which showed a recovery. October exports grew 3.97 per cent year-on-year to US$20.16 billion, but in the 10 months period it was down 0.36 per cent at US$190.62 billion. Commerce Minister, Gen Chatchai Sarikulya, said the projection of half a per cent growth for this year's exports was based on an assumption that the monthly figures for November and December would be about US$19 billion-US$19.5 billion. He said next year, Thailand would be able to record four per cent growth in exports amid recovery in global economy. "The strong growth in exports has enabled the country to post a trade surplus of US$31.5 million in October as imports declined 4.88 per cent to US$20.13 billion," he told reporters here Wednesday. Its imports in January-October period fell 9.49 per cent to US$192.10 billion, which translated into the trade deficit in the 10-month period at US$1.48 billion. --BERNAMA