Export to contract 1.6% in 2009

 Export value this year is expected to be US$173 billion, due to lower demand, while imports would also contract 6.7 per cent to $167.3 billion due to lower domestic consumption. Trade surplus would be $5.9 billion.

 The university said that if the government channels additional budget of Bt120-Bt200 billion to boost domestic economy and the export sector, the export value could grow 3.1 per cent on year.