Thai exports to grow by 5% in 2016

BANGKOK, December 22 (TNA) - The Ministry of Commerce says that Thai exports are likely to grow by 5 per cent in 2016, thanks to the global economic recovery. Malee Choklumlerd, Director-General of the ministry's Department of International Trade Promotion, told journalists on December 21 that the projection was based on the fact that the world economy and the economies of Thailand's trading partners have been recovering. Malee said that her ministry plans to boost the value of Thai exports to the United States next year by 3 per cent, to the European Union (EU) by 2.8 per cent, to other member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) by 6 per cent, especially to Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam by 13.6 per cent. Malee noted that her ministry will increase Thai exports by expanding economic cooperation and trade, proactive marketing, border trade promotion, support for Thai business operators to expand their businesses overseas and campaigns for exports of services. The senior official pointed out, however, that negative factors for Thai exports remain, including impacts from the declining oil prices, China's economic slowdown and EU's possible actions against illegal fishing in Thailand. (TNA)