Thailand: 2017's MPI grows by 1.58 percent

Thailand's Manufacturing Production Index in 2017 showed 1.58 percent growth from a previous year with rubber products, automobiles, automobile engines, vegetable oil, and petroleum being major performers.
Thailand: 2017's MPI grows by 1.58 percent ảnh 1Rubber products are one of major performers of Thailand's Manufacturing Production Index. (Source: VNA)

 Bangkok (NNT/VNA) – Thailand's ManufacturingProduction Index in 2017 showed 1.58 percent growth from a previous year withrubber products, automobiles, automobile engines, vegetable oil, and petroleumbeing major performers. 

Office of Industrial Economics' (OIE) Director SirirujChulakaratana revealed Thailand's MPI in December 2017 grew by 2.35 percentfrom the same period a year earlier, thus seeing 2017's overall figure expandby 1.58 percent. 

The manufacturing of rubber products grew by 28.92 percentdue to a better rubber supply and increased volume of rubber export to China,while the manufacturing of sedans and pick-up trucks with engines no more than1800 cc caused the automobile sector to grow by 13.53 percent, which wasattributed to the automobile engine manufacturing which expanded 24.15 percent. 

The manufacturing of vegetable oil grew by 57.19 percent,mostly due to the increased supply of palm oil as raw material, and thepromotion of palm oil export to India and China. The manufacturing of oil,mostly being gasohol 95 and naphtha grew by 10.63 percent. 

The projected uptrend during the first quarter of 2018includes the growth in food industry at 4.7 percent due to the rising demandsfor chicken products, and 2.97 percent growth in automobile industry, given theexpected manufacturing of 500,000 vehicles throughout this year. 

The electricity and electronics industry is expected to growby 2.76 percent due to the demand of appliances and computer parts, while thesteel and iron industry is expected to grow by 3.21 percent from the expectedrecovery of steel rods demands in construction. 

The garment industry is expected to grow by 0.87 percent,with 5.12 percent increase in the production of textiles, and 6.28 percentincrease in ready to wear clothes from better performing economy at tradepartner countries such as China, Japan, Vietnam, and CLMV countries.-VNA
VNA

See more

Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the UN, speaks at the dialogue. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam reaffirms continued contributions to UNGA President’s Office

Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang called on the UNGA President candidate to promote the issues of Vietnam’s concern during her tenure, including the upholding of and respect for international law and the UN Charter, and ensuring a transparent UN reform process with the full participation of all member states.

Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra (Photo: nationthailand.com)

Thailand outlines strategy for trade talks with US

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Pichai Chunhavajira detailed the strategy, which includes restructuring the agricultural processing sector to address domestic supply shortages and identify areas where US imports can complement Thailand's production chains.

Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra meets with fruit traders at Government House. (Photo: Thai Government House)

Thai PM announces comprehensive support plan for fruit farmers

The initiative involves direct procurement from farmers through four key channels, namely purchase with intent to distribute domestically, corporate social responsibility initiatives, purchase for consumption in organisations, and procurement by government agencies like the Department of Corrections.

Medicines for malaria treatment (Photo: Antara)

Indonesia builds AI model for malaria diagnosis

The National Research and Innovation Agency of Indonesia (BRIN) is developing an artificial intelligence (AI) tool to support malaria diagnosis, toward warding off the disease by 2030.

Thailand Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra holds a press conference after the cabinet meeting on March 13. (Photo: Government House)

Thailand sends trade proposal to US

Thailand is among the Southeast Asian nations hardest hit by measures introduced by US President Donald Trump, facing a tariff of up to 36% on its exports if a reduction cannot be negotiated before a global moratorium expires in July.