The ministry held a special meeting with the private sector, 56 Thai commercial counsellors abroad and local commercial officers, to draw up plans to boost exports, the Kingdom's main economic engine.

After the two-day meeting, Commerce Minister Krirk-krai Jirapaet said the export target should be achievable this year despite many challenges, including the baht appreciation and non-tariff barriers. "The ministry will work closely with the private sector and connect commercial counsellors with local commercial officers to overcome export obstacles and seek more opportunities for Thai products in high-potential markets," he said.

The first point is to set an aggressive export target in each market. This is aimed at stimulating exporters and government officials to develop appropriate strategies.

The ministry has revised the export target for the US upward to 12-per-cent growth to $21.7 billion, from 6-per-cent growth to $20.6 billion previously.

Exports to Australia are now expected to show growth of 9.6 per cent to $18.4 billion instead of 6.2 per cent to $16.8 billion; and to Oceania, 27 per cent to $6.45 billion instead of 20 per cent to $5.08 billion.

The second point is to encourage exporters and small and medium-sized enterprises to take advantage of cheaper sources of raw materials and labour abroad - particularly in Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos and Burma - in order to set up plants for export to third countries.

The third point is to exploit fully not only the lower tariffs with free-trade-agreement (FTA) partners, but also investment cooperation.

Fourth is to explore new markets that have plenty of room to take more Thai products. Prime examples are China, South Africa and the Middle East.

Finally, products tailored for the unique demands of various markets will be heavily promoted through such channels as road shows, business matching and in-store promotions.

Krirk-krai said companies were ready to expand abroad and penetrate new markets, but a lack of information and business connections had obstructed their expansion plans.

He said commercial counsellors around the world would provide more information to educate them this year.

The ministry has also divided export markets into three categories in a bid to address specific problems in each of them. The traditional category groups markets with high import measures, namely the US, the EU and Canada.

Next is countries with FTAs and closer cooperation, while the last group consists of emerging markets that show promise for Thai exports, such as China, India, Africa, Eastern Europe and Latin America.

Petchanet Pratruangkrai

The Nation