Bangkok (VNA) - Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has asked relevant agencies to pursue friendly international trade and investment policies in a bid to boost border and cross-border trade between Thailand and neighbouring countries.
Government spokesperson Chai Wacharonke said on August 11 that this move will generate positive sentiment in the Thai economy, noting that the Commerce Ministry of Thailand has appointed the Department of Foreign Trade to monitor border trade closely.
According to Wacharonke, Thai border and cross-border trade moved in a positive trajectory with a total of 912.28 billion THB (over 25.8 billion USD) in the first six months this year – including 534.31 billion THB in exports and 377.96 billion THB in imports.
The border trade in the first half of this year totalled 493.47 billion THB. The important border export items include diesel valued at 23.10 billion THB, refined oil worth 10.43 billion THB, and latex 8.22 billion THB, he said.
Meanwhile, cross-border trade totalled 418.81 billion THB, including China (244.17 billion THB), Singapore (53.13 billion THB), and Vietnam (36.26 billion THB). Important cross-border export items include fresh durians valued at 67.60 billion THB, hard disk drives worth 40.95 billion THB, and rubber rods 19.50 billion THB.
An increase in border and cross-border trade was proof that the government’s policies were effective, Wacharonke stressed, adding that relevant agencies will hold activities to promote border and cross-border trade in Songkhla province from August 15-18, including exhibition of products, online business matching and seminars to create awareness among entrepreneurs./.
