BANGKOK, March 12 – Thailand’s Commerce Ministry believes the ongoing political disruption will not negatively affect the country’s export target this year.
Srirat Rattapana, permanent-secretary for Commerce, said after presiding at the opening ceremonies for the Thailand International Furniture Fair 2014 (TIFF 2014), the Bangkok International Fashion Fair and Bangkok International Leather Fair 2014 held from today through March 16 at Mueang Thong Thani.
Mrs Srirat said the political confusion will not impact the country’s overall export target expansion at 5 per cent, worth around US$9.8 billion, and will not affect the fairs now being held.
TIFF 2014 has attracted more than 1,000 foreign buyers from ASEAN, Europe and South Asia as well as domestic buyers have expressed their confidence to negotiate trade at the fair.
Foreign buyers view that Thailand is the world’s furniture producer of good quality and design, resulting in the continous growth of the country’s furniture export value in the past year. The furniture export this year is targetted at US$1.3 billion, a 5-per cent growth year-on-year.
The TIFF 2014 is forecast to generate buying and selling value at approximately Bt550 million.
Meanwhile, the events are considered the biggest of their kind in ASEAN, Mrs Srirat said.
More than 800 Thai and foreign buyers agreed to participate in trade negotiations at the fair. Some 30,000 businessmen are expected to attend the five-day event with Bt1.2 billion forecast to be generated.
