Thai exports to South Africa to rise 5% this year

BANGKOK, April 16 (TNA) - Director-General of Thailand’s Trade Promotion Department Srirat Rastapana, says she expects Thai exports to South Africa to increase by about 5% this year. She said South Africa was a new market for Thai exports and in the first two months of this year (from January to February) the value of Thai exports to South Africa amounted to US$381 million or 11,421 million baht. Main exports to South Africa had included automobiles and parts as well as seafood. Srirat also said that the Commerce Ministry would convene Thai commercial attachés worldwide late next month to discuss the Thai exports outlook in the second half of this year regarding the continuous baht appreciation. Additionally, she was monitoring the baht appreciation and admitted that it was affecting Thai exports in general. She said she hoped the Thai baht would not further appreciate as the Bank of Thailand was trying to address the issue. Srirat also said that her department was promoting Thai exports effectively. The Commerce Ministry would discuss export targets in the second half of this year with Thai commercial attachés worldwide in late May and that her discussion with all relevant parties would tell if the Thai exports growth target would be revised downward. At present, she said she believed the value of Thai exports could increase by at least 8-9% throughout this year. (TNA)