BANGKOK, 28 April 2015 – The industrial sector confidence index has declined to the lowest level in five months, but confidence is expected to improve within the next three months, according to the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI).
FTI chairman Suphan Mongkolsuthee revealed that the industrial sector confidence index declined from 88.9 in February to 87.7 in March, the lowest level in five months. He attributed the reduction to the fragile economic conditions in Thailand and abroad, tarnished competitiveness, lowered spending power due to falling agricultural produce prices, and the strengthening of the baht having weighed on exports. Mr. Suphan said the private sector wanted the state sector to accelerate its budget disbursement to stimulate consumption and investment, as well as to enable cost-saving by promoting linkages between clusters of manufacturers. He added that the value of the baht should be maintained at a competitive level.
For the next three months, the FTI chairman views that industrial sector confidence will increase due to greater state investments in various projects and speedy progress in the resolving of existing problems.
