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Published on September 7, 2007

Speaking at a seminar yesterday entitled "Exporters and Baht Measures", hosted by the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI), Vipathip Muenthongchin, chief of the Export Promotion Depart-ment's Lifestyle Products Section, said the ministry still expected the country's exports to expand 12.5 per cent this year, even though exporters had been hurt by several factors, including the strong baht and the US sub-prime mortgage crisis.

She said the meeting was intended to increase confidence among those exporters. Krirk-krai expects to understand and solve each industry's export problems and find ways to drive export growth to at least 12.5 per cent this year, she added.

A Commerce Ministry survey showed both agricultural and industrial products posted export growth of 16.5 per cent in the first seven months of the year. The survey also reported exports of television sets, electronics, farm products and textiles were in crisis. She said the Commerce Ministry would discuss this and find a solution for these industrial exporters during the meeting. She told seminar participants they should study the markets in countries that did not depend on US dollars, such as Australia and in Europe.

Another speaker, Chen Namchaisiri, also chairman of the FTI's Textile Club, said exports by textile and garment industries were predicted to show no growth this year in even the best scenario.

Both textile and garment industries exported goods worth about US$43.2 billion (Bt1.48 trillion) in the first half, up about 2 per cent year on year. He said textile exports grew 8 per cent but that garment exports shrank 4.7 per cent year on year in the same period.

He expressed concern that exports in the second half would expand less than in the first half, because manufacturers, who have been hit by the strong baht, dare not take many orders from customers.

Meanwhile, he called on the government and relevant parties to help operators who trade in new markets, such as Iran and Africa. Due to the possibility of sanctions in Iran, no banks are willing to make transactions for exporters, he said.

However, he suggested operators explore South Asian markets, because countries like Sri Lanka have high demand and good financial and banking systems.

Chalida     Ekvitthayavechnukul

 The Nation