Deputy PM orders 6 per cent export growth

NONTHABURI, Aug 29 (TNA) -- Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak has ordered the Commerce Ministry to promote Thai products as he expects an export growth rate of at least 6% this year. Mr Somkid said that the ongoing export was satisfactory but he wanted the Department of International Trade Promotion to direct export promotional activities to targeted cities in countries and conduct bilateral trade talks in order that the export would continue to grow and expand by at least 6% throughout this year. He cited that direct trade negotiations were possible with China, India and Taiwan. He also ordered the Trade Policy and Strategy Office to report the growth of individual industries to measure export growth in details and effectively plan export strategies. According to Mr Somkid, the Department of International Trade Promotion will also develop an e-commerce platform for small and medium-sized enterprises to boost their sales. The e-commerce platform is expected to be launched in September. Commerce Minister Apiradi Tantraporn said marketing campaigns would be intensified and it was highly possible that Thai export could grow by 6.5-7% this year from the monthly export value of more than US$19 billion. (TNA)