FPO foresees 2010 economy to rise positively

BANGKOK, 13 February 2010 (NNT) — The Fiscal Policy Office (FPO) indicated this year economic tendency would turn to expand positively at 3.5%.

The Director of Macroeconomy Stability Analysis Division Dr Pisit Puapan stated that 3.5% expansion in 2010 economic tendency was from the recovery of global economy. Thai exports would grow in appropriate direction. However, the global economy was relieved from volatility and that would need to be monitored closely for the rise of inflation rate in face of recovered economy and economic competition as well as the rise of oil price.

Dr Pisit indicated that the investment disruption in Map Ta Phut still influenced the confidence of the private sector and Thai economic improvement of 0.2-0.5%. In case the government could set the resolution framework of the investment with acceptable environmental effects as soon as possible, the problem would be eased up.

By the way, Mr Pisit said that budget disbursement under the Strong Thailand scheme by 80% could shore up the Thai economy and the growth of GDP . He added that the policy interest rate was expected to be adjusted to 0.25-0.5% in the latter half of this year which would be proper to support the Thai economic expansion.