Commerce minister confident exports to grow as targeted

BANGKOK, June 10 (TNA) – The country's exports will grow by 12.5 per cent this year as targeted, even though surging oil prices remain a key risk factor, according to Commerce and Deputy Prime Minister Mingkwan Saengsuwan. "Actually," he said, "the ministry set a challenging export growth target for this year at 15 per cent, but to meet the target, a new strategy must be outlined to promote the exports in the second half of this year." The deputy premier said the Department of Export Promotion (DEP) has been assigned to have commercial councilors seek information on a product demand in countries where they are stationed and to examine how much Thailand's trading partners want to import Thai products. The department had been asked to explore new markets since there remains much more demand for Thai products in many countries, particularly in the Middle East and in new economies. Also, it has been assigned to review the planning and organisation of the "Made-in-Thailand" fair concept, both as carried out within the kingdom, and overseas. Manufacturers and producers of products in varied industries will be invited to meet to outline a framework for the production and distribution of goods for Thais. Mr. Mingkwan said the Food and Energy Management Committee will meet June 19 to assess the overall energy situation and see what measures should be taken to ease the impact of the energy price rises. He said all countries had been seriously affected by the oil price surge. So, it is necessary to accelerate finding ways to reduce repercussions. "As the country is in trouble, what Thais can do now is to reduce energy use concretely and turn to use Thai products of good quality," he said. (TNA)