Thai trade ambassadors urged to meet export target

[webfact]

Trade ambassadors urged to meet export target



BANGKOK, 21 January 2016 (NNT) - The Deputy Prime Minister for economic affairs has instructed Thai trade ambassadors worldwide to do their best to help the export sector meet its target this year, despite the global economic slowdown.

Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak delivered his policy to 65 trade ambassadors, adding that he will not revise down the export target from 5% growth, despite concerns for the global economy. He claimed the Thai economy has a solid foundation. Last year, Thailand was the fourth largest exporter in the world, after China, Hong Kong, and Mexico.

Trade ambassadors have been told to study the markets of potential import nations, namely China, India, Japan, the United States and those in the ASEAN region. They are also expected hire local staff to achieve the export goal more effectively and promote SME products via e-commerce.

Commerce Minister Aphiradee Tantaraporn will propose to the Cabinet the establishment of farm product distribution centers, which are aimed at raising prices of agricultural goods in the global market.

The centers will be piloted in 10 provinces by private companies, with support from the government. The provinces include Udon Thani, Ratchaburi, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Chiang Rai, Chanthaburi, Pathum Thani, Nakhon Phatom, Samut Sakhon, Phitsanulok and Sa Kaeo.

-- NNT 2016-01-21

[clockman]

Wishful thinking.

[Hawk]

Last year, Thailand was the fourth largest exporter in the world, after China, Hong Kong, and Mexico. According to the deputy PM!

Yet another nonsense statement about a severly ailing economy. Thailand is not a large global exporter. Fourth largest exporter of what? Condoms?

[JonnyF]

4th biggest? According to Wikipedia Thailand was 25th in 2014. It would take around 500% growth in 2015 to see them jump into 4th spot. Must have been a good year, well done

[thesetat2013]

And just what foreign national is going to want to conduct or use e-commerce with Thailand once they have their single gateway operational?

[inaktive]

Thiland still isnt one of the top 20 Export Countries worldwide and looking at the local economy most likely wont be in that list in the near future

I also have no Idea why someone would think the Top 3 Slots are China, Hong Kong and Mexico

[onetime]

Thiland still isnt one of the top 20 Export Countries worldwide and looking at the local economy most likely wont be in that list in the near future

I also have no Idea why someone would think the Top 3 Slots are China, Hong Kong and Mexico

He couldn't help but have a case of the verbal runs... He's Thai, and someone handed him a microphone.

In his feeble mind, it matters not what he said, as long as he felt important doing it.

[soalbundy]

Last year, Thailand was the fourth largest exporter in the world, after China, Hong Kong, and Mexico. According to the deputy PM!

Yet another nonsense statement about a severly ailing economy. Thailand is not a large global exporter. Fourth largest exporter of what? Condoms?

STD's

[soalbundy]

Why bother, do like TAT, lie about the numbers.

[bark]

4th biggest? According to Wikipedia Thailand was 25th in 2014. It would take around 500% growth in 2015 to see them jump into 4th spot. Must have been a good year, well done

Maybe they just exported it and did not ask to be paid.

" We want to be number four in the world. Just take our rice, no need to pay for it. " " It is five years old, just take it "

[kimamey]

Why bother, do like TAT, lie about the numbers.

I think he's doing that already.

[kimamey]

So much of this makes no sense.

Surely the ambassadors should be doing their best already.

He won't revise down his target. So what? It doesn't mean it can be achieved.

Even China is having trouble with exports so why should Thailand be any different?

Thailand is the fourth largest exporter. I thought that was wrong as soon as I read it but fortunately it seems others have checked it for me although I'll probably do it anyway.

Is Europe not a potential import market? Maybe he's never heard of it. He might find that the problem with ASEAN is that they might export more to Thailand. We'll have to wait and see.

How will farm product distribution centres raise prices in the global market? I'm assuming he means 'raise the prices of Thai products in the global market' and not 'raise global prices'. I think that's been tried before in Thailand.

Sounds very much like someone given a job he doesn't understand so he covers up by giving policy speeches.

Perhaps I'm being over critical and its a translation problem and not fully reported? But I doubt it.

[chilli42]

He had to urge them to do their job .... that is reassuring.

[Srikcir]

First - I don't think it's trade ambassadors but rather trade attachés assigned to the embassy staff administered by the ambassador. There are only about 68 trade attachés worldwide as every embassy doesn't need one.

Second - "he will not revise down the export target from 5% growth" is a sad commentary in that Somkid has been until now has been fairly conservative in his forecasts and expectations.

He may now have been directed to make such a forecast as it terribly contradicts recent The Bank of Thailand's prediction of 0%, Thai Military Bank's 1.8% and the Thai National Shipper's Council 2%. Somkid's statement is a sign of panic in the Prayut admininstration. As it should be!

[wabothai]

Last year, Thailand was the fourth largest exporter in the world, after China, Hong Kong, and Mexico. According to the deputy PM!

Yet another nonsense statement about a severly ailing economy. Thailand is not a large global exporter. Fourth largest exporter of what? Condoms?

Condoms will be next year.

Why bother, do like TAT, lie about the numbers.

No Ploblem !

[phoenixdoglover]

First - I don't think it's trade ambassadors but rather trade attachés assigned to the embassy staff administered by the ambassador. There are only about 68 trade attachés worldwide as every embassy doesn't need one.

Second - "he will not revise down the export target from 5% growth" is a sad commentary in that Somkid has been until now has been fairly conservative in his forecasts and expectations.

He may now have been directed to make such a forecast as it terribly contradicts recent The Bank of Thailand's prediction of 0%, Thai Military Bank's 1.8% and the Thai National Shipper's Council 2%. Somkid's statement is a sign of panic in the Prayut admininstration. As it should be!

Yes, the level of apparent panic is rising. (Besides, it's still January, so it is the silly season for overly optimistic forecasts).

I see this as a race between the General's ability to stay in power, and the big event. The world economic slowdown and leadership incompetence are conspiring against the General. I have never believed he is actually a powerful person; he seems more like a hatchet man; and pretty soon he could get the axe himself.