Government targets Thai export growth at 15% in 2012

BANGKOK, June 30 (TNA) - The government has maintained Thailand's export growth at 15 per cent in 2012. Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra presided over a workshop in Bangkok Saturday morning, aimed at finding ways to boost Thai exports in the rest of the year to meet the government’s target. Yingluck said that a task force will be set up to work closely with the private sector to address problems and to stimulate Thailand's export growth, suggesting that new potential markets should be explored; while trade with fellow member countries in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) should also be expanded, as part of Thailand's preparations for the formation of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) by 2015. Yingluck told those attending the session, including concerned Cabinet members and officials, that Thai exports have steadily grown enabling the country to earn 200 billion US dollars annually, but last year’s massive flooding, coupled with the ongoing European debt crisis and the global economic slowdown have somewhat affected Thai exports. The prime minister recommended that Thailand's export strategies be reviewed to cope with the changing global situation, and that similar workshops be often held in the future, together with close monitoring on the eurozoen debt woe by all parties concerned. The prime minister acknowledged that her government is prepared to provide assistance to every Thai sector which may be affected by the ongoing eurozone debt crisis. (TNA)