Thai export growth is expected to reach just over one percent this yearafter declining for three consecutive months in March.
Earlier forecast put the growth at 4 percent, but the country'sCommercial Ministry had to revise down the prediction following a 4.45percent decline year on year last month to 18.9 billion USD.
For the first quarter of the year, Thai exports totalled 53.36 billionUSD, down by 4.69 percent from the last year, whilst imports alsodropped 6.43 percent, to 51.93 billion USD. A trade surplus of 1.43billion USD was recorded in the period of January to March.
Lowering export target now is more in line with other economicagencies' growth projections, which range from 0-1.4 percent.
Thai exports in the period faced a spate of negative factors relatedto foreign exchange, falling global farm prices, a rise in non-tariffbarriers by several importing countries, unrest in North Africa andself-sufficiency policies launched by several Middle East countries,according to the ministry.
It is expected that the full year exports may reach 230 billion USD, the ministry said.-VNA
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