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The Export Promotion Department this week will meet with exporters of agricultural goods, processed food, garments, jewellery, home decorations etc in order to revise its target and set up new strategies to boost exports next year.

"The ministry must analyse the result of the Don Mueang and Suvarnabhumi airports' closure, which created a negative impact on the export sectors. Other factors that will affect exports next year are global economic growth, oil-price change and the exchange rate," said Rachane Potjanasuntorn, director-general of the department. The ministry originally set an export-growth target next year of 5-10 per cent or from US$189 billion (Bt6.7 trillion) to $198 billion.

The impact of the political turbulence has affected forecasts for the real sector since export growth could not be estimated next year as the airports' closure lowered overseas importers' confidence in exports, said Rachane.

The department reports that exports to some markets may drop below estimates next year due to the low confidence.

He said the government must accelerate the launch of a campaign to boost foreign confidence.

"We are praying that the airport closure will not occur again and harm our exports and economic growth," he said.

However, there are positive factors that will benefit exports next year such as lower oil price and the weakening baht.

To compensate for losses from lower exports to major markets, the ministry will accelerate promotion of Thai goods and services in the Middle East.

Kanissorn Navanugraha, director-general of the Business Development Department, said that despite lower oil prices, consumers in these markets still had high purchasing power.

"Products that have high potential in the market are home decorations, consumers goods, jewellery and construction materials," he said, adding that Thai spa and restaurant services also had a good opportunity to expand in the market.