BANGKOK, Apr 14 – Thailand’s exports reached US$266 million in the first two months of this year, a four-percent increase year-on-year, according to the Commerce Ministry.
The Foreign Trade Department (FTD) said exports of jewellery and accessories had, however, declined over 8 percent. The export value was US$36 million. Other major export products were air conditioners and parts, rubber and rubber products and frozen squids.
The country’s total exports last year was US$1.42 billion, 24 percent lower from the preceding year.
The kingdom’s imports in the first two months of this year surged by 23 per cent year-on-year at a total value of US$391 million.
Top import items were machinery and parts at US$112 million, a 54 per cent increase, followed by metal products, chemicals, electrical machinery and parts, and health and medical products.
Last year’s total import value was reported at US$2.2 billion or five percent higher.
Thailand’s trade with the eurozone in Jan-Feb this year increased by 10.7 percent, totalling US$3.21 billion.
This year, the FTD has set a 0-5 percent growth target for trading with Europe from last year’s total value of US$19.55 billion.
The FTD has led a Thai delegation, comprising more than 40 food business operators, to join a trade exhibition in Italy’s city of Milan to promote Thai food under the Thai-A-Spice concept. The activity has been organised in the Salone del Mobile trade show and Slow Hand Design Exhibition on April 9-14.
Wansri Jotikapukkana, director of the Thai Trade Promotion Office in Milan, said Thai businessmen visited Dumus Acadermy. Milan’s leading design institute, and other design centres during the trip.
