Bangkok (VNA) –Thailand’s exports in September defiedanalyst expectations, dropping for the first time in 19 months, accordingto data from the country’s commerce ministry.
Exports, a key driver of Thai growth, fell 5.2 percent inSeptember from a year earlier, compared with the median forecast for a 6.05percent rise in a Reuters poll.
In August, exports rose 6.68 percent over the same periodlast year.
The ministry blamed the export decline on impacts of the US-Chinatrade war and trade partners’ economic problems.
The country’s shipments to the US rose 1.2 percent inSeptember from a year earlier, while those to China slumped 14.1 percent.
Exports of cars and parts, computers and accessories fell 7.4percent compared to the same period last year while rubber products dropped 2.4percent, it said.
In September, Thailand’s imports increased 9.9 percent on anannual basis after surging 22.8 percent in August. That resulted in a tradesurplus of 490 million USD in September, compared with a forecast 1.61 billionUSD.
In January-September, the country’s exports rose 8.13 percent from a yearearlier while imports jumped 15.2 percent.
The commerce ministry said it still targets export growth of 8percent this year, after last year’s 9.9 percent rise.-VNA
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