2018 World Cup finals gives bright prospect to Thai garment industry

BANGKOK, Nov 17 (TNA) -- The Thai garment industry has a bright prospect as its FIFA 2018 World Cup finals -related exports are expected to generate income worth tens of billions of baht next year. Yutthana Silpsanwit, secretary-general of the Thai Garment Manufacturers Association, said the value of Thai garment and textile exports would grow by 5% this year from US$5.5 billion in 2016 due to more orders from major markets. He predicted that next year the value of the exports would be US$5.5-5.8 billion due to orders from Japan and China and the 2018 World Cup finals in Russia that would boost the export of textile, garments and sports products. According to Mr Yutthana, Thailand will export football jerseys worth tens of billions of baht to 50-60% of the countries that reach the World Cup finals next year. He considered local political situations as a major risk factor of the textile and garment export of the country. Somdej Susomboon, deputy director-general of the Department of International Trade Promotion, said the garment and textile industry had effectively driven the Thai economy for a long time as it had been competitive and recognized internationally. (TNA)