Industrial confidence index remains positive

BANGKOK, 19 February 2010 (NNT) – The expansion of international and domestic orders resulted in +100 confidence in the industrial sector for four consecutive months, according to the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI).

FTI President, Santi Vilassakdanont, today released the details of the growth in industrial confidence based on the survey conducted in January 2010 among 1,140 samples in 39 industries. The confidence index was 113.6, exceeding 100 for four consecutive months since October 2009. The improved confidence index resulted from higher sales index, production quantity and production cost, said Mr Santi.

Industrial entrepreneurs also expressed their confidence over the AFTA expansion which regulated reduction in export and import costs, said Mr Santi.

It is foreseen that index for the next three months would drop from 111.5 in December to 111 in January as the private sector viewed that problems in the Map Ta Phut Industrial Estate could affect forign investors’ confidence and hinder the growth of their investments in the future. Mr Santi asked the public sector to present a clear stance toward the Map Ta Phut problems.