6% Thai export growth highly possible

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Thailand will achieve a 6 percent growth in exports if the baht is stabilized and moves alongside regional currencies, Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) chairman Payungsak Chartsuthipol said last week.

He said exporters in either small or big industries are less worried given the positive developments regarding the economy and currency exchange rates.

Gross domestic product (GDP) should expand by 5 percent, he said, qualifying his view by calling on the government to improve Thailand’s competitive edge and find new markets for Thai products.

Payungsak said the baht, though weakened, remains 1-2 percent stronger than the Indian and Malaysian currencies.

Atchana Limpaitoon, Thai Auto-Parts Manufacturers Association (TAPMA) president, said the Commerce Ministry’s export growth forecast at 5 percent is possible given the Thai exchange rate at Bt30-31 against the dollar.

The TAPMA predicted this year’s export growth at 5-8 percent, she said.