BANGKOK, 21 May 2011 – Thai export figure in April 2011 was recorded at 17.564 billion US dollars, an increase of 24.6% year-on-year while the import figure stood at 18.360 billion US dollars, rising by 27.9% year-on-year, according to the Ministry of Commerce.
Commerce Minister Pornthiva Nakasai hence concluded that Thailand last month experienced a trade deficit of 795.5 US dollars; however, the country still enjoyed a trade surplus for the first four months of this year at 1.9 billion US dollars in total.
Ms Pornthiva reported that the total export value from January to April was 74.438 billion US dollars, an increase of 27.39% year-on-year, while the import value in the same period was 72.537 billion US dollars, expanding by 27.9% year-on-year.
The Ministry of Commerce has readjusted the country’s export target this year to 12-15% from the earlier projection at 12%.
Negative factors that must be monitored closely comprise global oil price, product prices, especially foods and other consuming goods, Thai baht movement, interest rate and lack of workforce in the export sector.
The ministry also voiced its readiness to attend the upcoming meeting of commerce envoys in the THAIFEX-World of Food Asia 2011 at IMPACT Muang Thong Thani from 25 to 29 May 2011 in a bid to push forward the country’s export.
