Authorities to discuss Thailand's export situation in 2nd half of 2013

BANGKOK, April 15 (TNA) - Authorities concerned at the Ministry of Commerce will discuss Thailand's export situation in the second half of this year with the country's overseas commercial attachés in late May 2013. Srirat Rastapana, Director-General of the ministry's Department of International Trade Promotion, told journalists on Monday that during the discussion, led by Thai Commerce Minister Boonsong Teriyapirom, all the relevant parties will tell whether Thailand's export growth target this year should be revised downward. Srirat noted that the concerned authorities have monitored the ongoing appreciation of the Thai baht, which has affected the country's exports, expressing her hope that the Thai currency will not further appreciate, as the Bank of Thailand or BOT is handling the issue. Srirat acknowledged that the Commerce Ministry is intensifying its Thai export promotion through more than 500 activities, including marketing campaigns and business negotiations, focused on quality of Thai products rather than pricing, with reaching new markets being a major objective of the activities. The senior official said her department has joined in the promotion of Thai exports, assessing that Thailand's export value should increase by at least 8-9 per cent this year as expected, as there are signs of global economic recovery and Thai products in several categories are internationally recognized. (TNA)