BANGKOK, 21 April 2015 – The Ministry of Commerce will consider adjusting down its annual export growth target this Friday, however, affirming that the rate will not be below 1 percent.
After meeting with the private sector on export acceleration, Commerce Minister Gen Chatchai Sarikalya revealed that the attendants were supportive of the idea to promote exports based on product categories. According to the minister, ten categories have been established, consisting of food, electronics and electrical appliances, automobiles and parts, textiles, gems and jewelry, construction materials, health products, lifestyle products, logistics and products geared towards the CLMV market, which represents Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam.
The Department of International Trade Promotion is set to call in operators under the ten categories this Friday for discussions on ways to maintain and expand the existing markets as well as to penetrate new ones. Once concrete plans are put in place, road shows will be conducted overseas during June and July.
As for the possible reduction of export growth estimate, Gen Chatchai assured that should the figure be reduced, it would be placed at 1 percent or above, rather than 0 percent as feared by the private sector.
During the meeting, the private agencies made several suggestions to the Commerce Ministry, such as the elimination of trade obstacles, regulation of the Thai baht at the most competitive rate, facilitation of customs procedures and provision of tax privileges.
