Thai-Lao border trade value to reach 100 billion baht a year

The Department of Export Promotion (DEP) expects the border trade value between Thailand and Laos to increase to 100 billion baht per year from the current 80 billion baht with the stimulus measure of the Commerce Ministry.

Director-General of DEP Rachane Pojjanasoonthorn said that the border trade value between Thailand and Laos was 80 billion baht a year, which would be boosted to 100 billion baht a year by the border trade stimulus measures of the Commerce Ministry,

Apart from trade value increase, relationship between neighboring countries was also strengthened and Thai products would be recognized by neighboring countries as well. Besides, jobs and market would be created in the border provinces in long term in order to support the ASEAN Economic Community, which would be achieved in the next six years.

He added that the export stimulus plans of the Commerce Minister including product development, cost reduction, marketing and innovation building, were in the process of budget proposal in the fiscal year 2010.

If the government allocated additional budget, the Commerce Ministry was ready to stimulate exports as the export sector was an important factor to drive the economy by 65 per cent of GDP.

Source: National News Bureau of Thailand - 27 March 2009

Funny how much money passes the border but issan is still a crap hole.

Where does it go?

WOW that is more than Pattaya generates and it becomes a special tourism zone for it efforst. See this thread for details.