Thailand’s exports target new ASEAN member countries

Bangkok (VNA) – The Thai Ministry of Commerce has decided to carry out a number of measures to improve the country’s weakening exports in recent time, targeting Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam (CLMV).

Director General of the International Trade Promotion Department (DITP) Malee Choklumlerd said the four countries have become Thailand’s key export markets, accounting for 25 percent of its total exports to the whole Southeast Asian region.

The department has been allocated about 2 billion THB (over 57 million USD) for the 2017 fiscal year, up 25 percent against 2016, to implement promotion programmes, including the introduction of Thailand’ high-quality goods and services and organisation of trade fairs, in CLMV countries.

The trade promotion budget for 2017 will also be distributed to other markets, such as East Asia and the Pacific (25 percent), Western Europe (20 percent), America (10 percent), and Southern Asia, Africa, the Middle East and Eastern Europe (5 percent).

The department will host a meeting of relevant local bodies and Thai trade representatives in foreign countries to discuss export strategies, address trade barriers to expand Thai goods and services in international markets.-VNA