Commerce Ministry sees export potential with India

BANGKOK, July 22 (TNA) – The Commerce Ministry encourages Thai exporters to target India and will host an ASEAN-India conference early next month to boost Thai export there. Commerce Minister Apiradi Tantraporn said that India was an important market as its people had high purchasing power. Last year Thai exports to India were estimated at more than US$5 billion. Most of them were foods and electronic products. India was increasingly importing Thai natural rubber and the value of Thai export to India should rise by 4% this year, she said. Ms Apiradi also said that Thailand would organize “ASEAN-India Expo and Forum: Strategic Economic Partnership & Connectivity” at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center on Aug 2-5 to boost trade and investment relations. Sanan Angubolkul, president of the Thailand-India Business Council and deputy chairman of the Board of Trade of Thailand, said the World Bank expected the Indian economy next year to grow the fastest in the world, at 7-8%, and later expand at a double-digit rate. Therefore, he said, India was a key market to reach. (TNA)