วันพฤหัสบดีที่ 22 เมษายน พ.ศ. 2553

Thai exports surge 41% in March; record high in 17 months


BANGKOK, April 22 (TNA) – Thailand’s exports grew by 40.9 per cent year on year in March, the highest level in past 17 months, valued at over US$16.25 billion, according to Commerce Minister Porntiva Nakasai.

Exports in March grew for the fifth consecutive month as key exports, particularly farm and agro-industry products increased by 49.2 per cent.

All categories of industrial products also rose, except gold which dropped 57.3 per cent. Exports of electrical appliances, vehicles and electronics were up by 20 per cent.

Meanwhile, exports for the first quarter of 2010 totalled $44.38 billion, up 31.6 per cent compared to the same period last year.

Exports to key markets soared 50.1 per cent for five consecutive months while those to Thailand's new markets grew for seven consecutive months.

The new markets-- particularly India, China, South Asia and Eastern Europe-- rose by 20 per cent, the minister said.

Meanwhile, imports in March were valued at more than $15.09 billion year on year, up 59.7 per cent.

Increased imports included energy products by 25.6 per cent, capital goods 54.2 per cent and raw material products 85.2 per cent.

The imports for the first quarter totalled over $42.27 billion, up 58.1 per cent from the same period last year, resulting in a trade surplus of about $1.54 billion in March and $2.11 billion in the first three months of 2010.

Ms Porntiva, however, said that the ministry targeted exports for the whole year at an increase of 14 per cent, valued at $173 billion, despite the strengthening of the Thai baht.

The country's trade representatives abroad have been instructed to help expand Thailand's new export destinations as well as keep the current markets.

Additionally, the ministry forecast that the exports in the second quarter would continue growing by 16 per cent, worth about $40 billion.

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