March 19, 2010
BANGKOK (AFP) - Thai exports climbed for a fourth consecutive month in February, as strengthening key markets boosted recovery in the kingdom, the commerce ministry said Friday.
Exports were up 23.1 percent year-on-year to 14.4 billion dollars, the ministry said in a statement.
Agricultural and agri-products grew at 38.4 percent and industrial exports were up 15.2 percent.
Thailand is the world's top exporter of rice and rubber and the second biggest seller of sugar, after Brazil.
Exports to the kingdom's biggest customers in the United States, European Union and Japan expanded 38.8 percent as those markets continued to recover from the global financial crisis.
Revenue from new markets in Asia, eastern Europe and Latin America grew by an average of 20 percent.
The ministry maintained its 2010 target of 14 percent annual growth and 170 billion dollars total yearly revenue.
