7 months of border trade growth rate pleases Commerce Minister

NONTHABURI, Aug 30 (TNA) -- The commerce minister is happy with border trade which was growing in the first seven months of this year, amounting to 618 billion baht, up 5.51%. Commerce Minister Apiradi Tantraporn said the border trade value consisted of 382 billion baht worth of export, rising 9.25%, and 236 billion baht worth of import, dropping 0.02%. Thailand posted a border trade surplus of 146 billion baht. If the export to Vietnam, Singapore and southern China, worth 127 billion baht, is included, the value of border trade and transit cargoes will rise to 745 billion baht, up 8.29%. The trade value consisted of 454 billion baht worth of export, up by 15.53%, and 291 billion baht worth of import, falling by 1.33%. The trade surplus amounted to 164 billion baht. The minister ordered relevant officials to increase promotion for border trade including frequent trade fairs in Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam; business-matching forums; and connectivity of border markets. (TNA)