Bangkok (VNA) – On the back of an export boom inApril, the Thai National Shippers' Council (TNSC) feels upbeat that thecountry's exports could rise by 10 – 15 percent this year.
TNSC President Chaichan Chareonsuk said export prospectshave improved thanks to the global economic recovery, economic growth in majortrading partners and healthy export demand for industrial products, forexamples automobiles, electrical appliances, equipment and parts, andoil-related products such as plastic pellets and chemicals.
More importantly, he said vaccination rates keep climbingacross much of the world.
Thai exports have a chance to grow by up to 15 percentthis year, assuming Thailand accelerates its imports to 2.01-2.25 million TEU emptycontainers per year, said Chaichan.
The country needs to manage appropriate freight rates andsupply labour to the manufacturing sector. The government also needs toexpedite its efforts to lower import costs for raw materials such as steel, andlimit logistics costs for raw material imports and exports, he added.
He said the government is being urged to speed upinoculations among workers in the logistics and manufacturing sectors,especially those working at ports, airports or vulnerable gateways to thecountry.
A weaker baht also helps boost export prospects, saidChaichan. If the baht stays at an average of 32 to the US dollar, it wouldimprove the country's export performance and raise Thai competitiveness.
However, the TNSC is maintaining its export growthforecast of 6 – 7 percent this year.
Thai exports are maintaining healthy growth momentum,fetching more than 20 billion USD for three consecutive months and recordingthe highest growth rate in 36 months in April.
The Commerce Ministry reported on May 25 customs-clearedexports rose for a second consecutive month, jumping by 13.1 percentyear-on-year to 21.4 billion USD in April, after 8.47 percent growth in Marchand a 2.59 percent contraction in February.
For the first four months of 2021, exports expanded by4.78 percent to 85.6 billion USD, while imports rose by 13.9 percent to 84.9billion USD, resulting in a trade surplus of 698 million USD./.
TNSC President Chaichan Chareonsuk said export prospectshave improved thanks to the global economic recovery, economic growth in majortrading partners and healthy export demand for industrial products, forexamples automobiles, electrical appliances, equipment and parts, andoil-related products such as plastic pellets and chemicals.
More importantly, he said vaccination rates keep climbingacross much of the world.
Thai exports have a chance to grow by up to 15 percentthis year, assuming Thailand accelerates its imports to 2.01-2.25 million TEU emptycontainers per year, said Chaichan.
The country needs to manage appropriate freight rates andsupply labour to the manufacturing sector. The government also needs toexpedite its efforts to lower import costs for raw materials such as steel, andlimit logistics costs for raw material imports and exports, he added.
He said the government is being urged to speed upinoculations among workers in the logistics and manufacturing sectors,especially those working at ports, airports or vulnerable gateways to thecountry.
A weaker baht also helps boost export prospects, saidChaichan. If the baht stays at an average of 32 to the US dollar, it wouldimprove the country's export performance and raise Thai competitiveness.
However, the TNSC is maintaining its export growthforecast of 6 – 7 percent this year.
Thai exports are maintaining healthy growth momentum,fetching more than 20 billion USD for three consecutive months and recordingthe highest growth rate in 36 months in April.
The Commerce Ministry reported on May 25 customs-clearedexports rose for a second consecutive month, jumping by 13.1 percentyear-on-year to 21.4 billion USD in April, after 8.47 percent growth in Marchand a 2.59 percent contraction in February.
For the first four months of 2021, exports expanded by4.78 percent to 85.6 billion USD, while imports rose by 13.9 percent to 84.9billion USD, resulting in a trade surplus of 698 million USD./.
VNA
