The Commerce Ministry has introduced 16 measures to boost exports of food, agricultural-industrial, and industrial goods in the final quarter of the year.

A study by the ministry found that these measures should increase export value by US$758 million (Bt22.74 billion) in the quarter.

Today, it will show the plans to 62 overseas Thai trade representations.

The ministry will also announce new export growth targets for this year after acknowledging that the previous goal of 7-7.5 per cent would be tough to achieve, since shipments in the first seven months grew by only 0.6 per cent year-on-year to $132.36 billion.

Srirat Rastapana, director-general of the department, said the plans had been discussed with private exporters and officials.

The plan will focus on the Kingdom's top 20 export products and 10 regions. The 10 markets are the Middle East, Russia and the Commonwealth of Independent States, South Asia, Latin America, Africa, China, Asean, Japan-Korea-Oceania, North America, and the European Union.

Highlighted products are automobiles and parts, computers and parts, oil, chemical goods, plastic pellets, jewellery and ornaments, rubber products, steel and products, machinery and parts, electronic circuits, air-conditioners and parts, processed and canned food, rice, electrical appliances, televisions and parts, sugar, plastic products, motors, and tapioca products.

Among the 16 measures that will be launched in the remaining months of the year is a plan to bring 506 Thai firms to join 81 trade fairs and six trade missions overseas.

"Thailand Week" roadshows will be held in Russia, Myanmar and Malaysia to promote export of food, cosmetics, fashion goods, jewellery and ornaments, and auto parts.

Enterprises will be encouraged to join four international trade fairs in Thailand, to penetrate each market with new strategies such as joining Japan's Shop Channel and China's T Mall trade website, and to trade online on Thaitrade.com.

Visits by high-level officials to 13 countries will be organised before the end of the year.

The ministry will also encourage Thai enterprises to source materials overseas.

Service businesses, including those providing digital content and entertainment, will be encouraged to penetrate South Korea and the United States.

Cross-border trade will also be promoted, and fashion firms encouraged to join "Thailand Street Fashion Shows" in ASEAN countries.

The AEC Business Support Centre will provide consultations to new Thai enterprises on trading in Asean.

The government in cooperation with the private sector will also set up Thailand Business and Sourcing Centres this year in Belgium, Sweden, Poland and Tanzania.

In-depth information on each industrial sector will be highlighted with a view to solving such problems as non-tariff barriers to trade with the European Union, border logistics, and liquidity of some small and medium-sized enterprises.

The ministry will also support the establishment of a research centre for leather and footwear products. A special team to promote exports and solve trade problems, particularly involving tariffs, will be organised.

Source: The Nation