Thai exports surge sharply in December

BANGKOK, Jan 20 (TNA) – Commerce Minister Porntiva Nakasai on Tuesday announced that exports in December 2009 surged by 26.1 per cent, the highest level of the year, with the value of US$14.63 billion.

Exports for the whole year totaled $152.5 billion, down only 14.2 per cent from that  of the previous year.

She said key exports turned to increase in all categories, particularly farm and agro-industry products such as rice, natural rubber, cassava, sugar, and foods which surged by 42.1 per cent year on year.

The exports of industrial products such as electrical appliances, vehicles, and electronics rose by 18.6 per cent.

Exports to key destinations soared for the second month by 20.9 per cent and those to new destinations such as China, Australia, Hong Kong, Indochina, Myanmar, India, and Taiwan rose by 31.5 per cent.

Mrs Porntiva attributed last year’s fourth quarter export surge to higher demand upon the economic and trade recovery of major export destinations.

In addition, importers began to buy more products, particularly in the farm and industrial sectors, to add their stock on the eve of the Christmas and New Year holidays.

Imports in December totaled $14.42 billion, down 28.2 per cent from the same month last year.

Increased imports included energy products by 15.6 per cent, consumer products by 21.1 per cent, vehicles and transport equipment by 45.6 per cent.

The imports for the whole year totaled $133.79 billion, down 25.3 per cent from the previous year, resulting in a trade surplus of $204.4 billion in December and $18.71 billion in 2009.

She said the ministry projected exports for this year would increase by 14 per cent with the value of $172 billion, boosted by the global economic  recovery, despite an expected stronger baht. (TNA)