The Ministry of Commerce aims to push for 15-20 percent export growth as of 2008. The ministry reports that the Thai export sector enjoyed a healthy income of over 16.9 billion US dollars, a 43.9 percent growth from July 2007. Lucrative export businesses have also been expanding for three consecutive months.

Internal Trade Department Director-General Siriphol Yodmuangcharoen (ศิริพล ยอดเมืองเจริญ) says the percentage of leading export commodities including agricultural and industrial products accounted in July alone stood at 71.8 percent, and stood at 44.5 percent from January to July 2008.

At the same time, Export Promotion Director-General Rachen Pojanasunthorn (ราเชนทร์ พจนสุนทร) says the import sector as of July 2008 also enjoyed lucrative revenues of more than 17.9 billion US dollars and grew by 55.06 percent. He says most income derived from fuel energy and crude oil drilling businesses. He says however, Thailand’s trade deficit was 1.071 billion US dollars in July.

Source : National News Bureau, Public Relations Department of Thailand