BANGKOK, 9 Dec 2014, The Commerce Ministry is to join hands with the private sector in efforts to achieve an exports growth of 4% next year, while devising plans to gain a foothold in the international markets for Thai products.
After a meeting with the Thai Chamber of Commerce and the Federation of Thai Industries yesterday, Commerce Minister Apiradee Tantraphon disclosed that the ministry and the two bodies had agreed to promote Thai exports in both the existing and the new markets in an effort to achieve the targeted growth of 4% in 2015.
To achieve that goal, the ministry will come up with measures aimed at strengthening Thai industrial and agricultural products and services, while seeking new markets by finding out demands of growing cities and providing them with appropriate supplies. Russia, for example, where demand for goods is generally high should give Thailand the chance to offer her products there as the republic is joining the Eurasian Economic Union, she said.
She added that Thailand should also pay attention to nations from Africa, South America, and South India as potential trading partners.
Meanwhile, President of the Thai Chamber of Commerce, Issara Wongkusonkit, pointed out that the private sector should focus on making Thai brand products more acceptable in the international market, while forging cooperation in such a way that the entire production process contributes to export growth, such as adding value to rice by using it in cosmetics or diet supplement ingredient.
