ID :
51236
Wed, 03/18/2009 - 20:31
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/51236
The shortlink copeid
Thai exports, imports down in first two months of 2009
BANGKOK, March 18 (TNA) - Thailand’s gross domestic product (GDP), heavily dependent on exports, looks set to be impacted sharply this year as both exports and imports declined dramastically during January and February, Permanent Secretary for Commerce Siripol Yodmuangcharoen said on Wednesday.
Exports during the first two months of 2009 were valued at US$22.232 billion, down 19.2 per cent from the corresponding period of 2008, a drop credited to the global economic slump which has led many countries which are usually Thai export markets to restrict their imports, Mr. Siripol said.
Imports in January and February were valued at US$17.278 billion, a decline of 38.9 per cent from the corresponding period of last year, he said.
Thailand enjoyed a trade surplus of $4.954 billion during the period.
It is still early to forecast whether Thailand’s exports in 2009 would expand or contract, Mr. Siripol said. The ministry will wait for performance data regarding exports for March before projecting exports for the entire year.
The government is also finding ways to boost the cash flow of exporters in every industrial sector as government-run financial institutions will support entrepreneurs in tapping financial sources and act as guarantor for exports, he said.
In an attempt to boost Thailand’s exports, Commerce Minister Pornthiva Nakasai will begin this Sunday to lead delegations to visit Cambodia, China, Japan and Russia to promote expanded trade relations, Mr. Siripol said. - (TNA)
Exports during the first two months of 2009 were valued at US$22.232 billion, down 19.2 per cent from the corresponding period of 2008, a drop credited to the global economic slump which has led many countries which are usually Thai export markets to restrict their imports, Mr. Siripol said.
Imports in January and February were valued at US$17.278 billion, a decline of 38.9 per cent from the corresponding period of last year, he said.
Thailand enjoyed a trade surplus of $4.954 billion during the period.
It is still early to forecast whether Thailand’s exports in 2009 would expand or contract, Mr. Siripol said. The ministry will wait for performance data regarding exports for March before projecting exports for the entire year.
The government is also finding ways to boost the cash flow of exporters in every industrial sector as government-run financial institutions will support entrepreneurs in tapping financial sources and act as guarantor for exports, he said.
In an attempt to boost Thailand’s exports, Commerce Minister Pornthiva Nakasai will begin this Sunday to lead delegations to visit Cambodia, China, Japan and Russia to promote expanded trade relations, Mr. Siripol said. - (TNA)
