Government promotes Thai food industry

BANGKOK, June 23 (TNA) - Thailand's earnings from food exports this year are projected at the minimum of 20 billion U.S. dollars, almost the same as 2011, prompting the government to have set a target for the country's food export growth not to less than 15 per cent in 2013. Commerce Minister Boonsong Teriyapirom has acknowledged that Thailand's earnings from major exports, including automobiles and parts, had dropped over the past few months, after several auto assembly plants were hit by a massive flooding in the country late last year, and that his ministry has, therefore, adjusted strategies aimed at boosting Thai food exports to principle and emerging markets instead. In a bid to stimulate the Thai food industry, the Thai Commerce Ministry has sought a government budget amounting 300 million baht for the fiscal 2013, starting October 1, 2012 for use in continuing the ‘Thai Select’ programme this year. The ‘Thai Select’ trademark will be given to distinctive Thai restaurants operating in Thailand and another 1,000 certificates are expected to be also handed out to Thai restaurants overseas this year. Presently, Thai restaurants operating abroad and hold ‘Thai Select’ certificates total 816 in 24 countries. (TNA)