Thailand’s exports in January exceeded US$10 billion with a trade surplus of
US$880 million despite impacts of the stronger baht, according to Commerce
Minister Krirkkrai Jirapaet.
Announcing the latest export figures for January, he said
although the baht continued to appreciate, the export value increased by
17.7 per cent from that of the same month last year to $10.49 billion.
At the same time, the imports totaled US$9.61 billion in
value, up 2.4 per cent from the same month the year before. This resulted in
a trade surplus of US$880 million against a deficit of $468 million in the
same month of the previous year.
“Although the baht continues to strengthen, operators in
all industrial groups reaffirm the exports this year would grow close to
12.5 per cent as earlier targeted by the Commerce Ministry with a total
value of $145 billion,” he said.
The minister conceded the stronger baht and its impacts
were raised for discussion at last weeks meeting of the committee tasked to
drive the overall economy.
Also discussed was a possibility to allocate some of the
US$60 billion of international reserves to invest overseas.
Given the strengthening of the baht now, he said, it is appropriate for
Thai entrepreneurs to shift their investment base into oversea markets.
(TNA)
