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Commerce Minister Kittirat Na Ranong will call a meeting with 65 overseas Thai trade representatives on September 14 to discuss preparing Thailand for sluggish exports to the United States and the European Union.
He wants export value to grow by 15 per cent this year to US$224 billion (Bt6.72 trillion), and the discussion will focus on planning for next year amid possible recessions in advanced economies.
Nuntawan Sakuntanaga, director-general of the Export Promotion Department, said the meeting would focus on how to strengthen export promotion to ensure expansion despite the slower growth in major export markets.
Export promotion will also concentrate on Asean, China, India and South Asia, which have shown stronger economic growth than traditional markets such as the US, the EU and Japan, she said.
Overseas trade representatives are scheduled to gather in Bangkok during the Gem and Jewellery Fair from September 14-18. Kittirat will outline government policies, while Deputy Commerce Minister Siriwat Kachornprasart, who oversees the Export Promotion Department, will also join the meeting.
The department has prepared much information for penetrating each particular market. The export globe has been divided into 10 markets: Greater China including Hong Kong and Taiwan; traditional Asean markets (Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Brunei); neighbouring countries (Burma, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam); the Middle East and Africa; South Asia; East Asia (Japan, South Korea and Australia); the EU; North America (the US and Canada); the Commonwealth of Independent States including Russia; and Latin America.
The department will hold an Export Clinic seminar on "How to be Successful in Penetrating Overseas Markets" on September 20 at Sofitel Centara Hotel Bangkok. It will provide information about trade regulations, consumer behaviour, import measures, competitors, economic situation, and strategies for exporters.
Overseas trade counsellors will also be available for consultation at the seminar.
