May 5, 2008
Bangkok - March exports rose 14.4% due to agricultural product exports. The export value was nearly 15 billion baht while the industrial confidence index was still low in the first three months.
Mr. Siripol Yodmuangcharoen, Commerce Permanent Secretary, revealed Thailand’s export soared 14.4% to value 14,764.6 million US dollars.
The imports mounted 32.68% to reach 14,604.7 million US dollars after consecutive trade deficit in the first two months.
The export growth was driven by agricultural product exports which went up 32%.
Rising exports included rice, tapioca, canned seafood and para rubber while hiking imports covered crude oil and consumer products.
Thailand’s trade deficit totally valued 1,182.4 million US dollars.
Major export markets are five Asean countries and European Union while less exports were seen in the United States and Japan for the first month.
More exports were seen in the emerging markets like Africa, Indochina and Myanmar, Hong Kong, China, Latin America, Western Europe and India respectively, according to Mr. Rachen Pojanasunthorn, director general of the Export Promotion Department.
The industrial confidence index has been low continuously in the first three months of this year.
