The new offices will facilitate market access and draw up suitable market plans. They will also help the Kingdom reach next year's export growth target of 12.5 per cent, reaching US$145 billion (Bt5.11 trillion).

Director-general Rachane Potjanasuntorn said the move was aimed at promoting Thai goods and facilitating both exports and imports.

So far, Thailand operates 58 Thai trade offices in 41 countries worldwide.

"Increasing the number of foreign offices will help exports reach the target of 12.5-per-cent growth to $145 billion next year," he said.

Targeted cities include Seattle, Washington; Hamburg, Germany; Dalian and Chengdu, China; Calcutta, India; and cities in Bangladesh, Nigeria and Senegal.

China, India, Bangladesh and the African countries are new export markets, targeted to boost trade value.

The US and the EU are traditional markets where the department is focusing on increasing export growth. Moreover, Senegal and Nigeria are major importers of Thai rice, said Rachane.

Commerce deputy permanent secretary Pisanu Rienmahasarn said the ministry recently sent a request to the Foreign Ministry seeking approval for the new offices.

He said the Dalian office would be a gateway for Thai goods to flow into eastern China, with the Chengdu office a gateway to western China.

Currently, most Thai goods exported to China enter via Guangzhou province, close to northern Thailand.

"Increasing the number of offices abroad will create more export opportunities," Pisanu said.

Petchanet Pratruangkrai

The Nation