InfoQuest, (April 1, 2020) -- Mr. Kirati Ratchano, director-general of the Department of Foreign Trade (DFT) of the Ministry of Commerce (MOC), revealed that in January-February 2020, Thailand's total volume of border trade and cross-border trade was 171.314 billion baht, shrinking 6.46 percent. Of the amount, the export volume was 117.946 billion baht, down 6.10 percent, and the import volume 53.368 billion baht, down 7.25 percent. The trade surplus was 64.578 billion baht.
In terms of border trade, Malaysia remained Thailand's largest trading partner, with the two-way trade volume totaling 62.807 billion baht, down 10.48 percent. Specifically, the export volume was 41.131 billion baht, down 3.21 percent, and the import volume 21.676 billion baht, down 21.65 percent. Laos was Thailand's second largest trading partner, with the two-way trade volume totaling 43.717 billion baht, down 14.04 percent. Thailand-Cambodia trade volume was 33.904 billion baht, up 15.66 percent. Thailand-Myanmar trade volume was 30.885 billion baht, down 5.89 percent.
In terms of cross-border trade, Singapore was Thailand's largest trading partner with the two-way trade volume totaling 14.089 billion baht, up 28.68 percent. Of the amount, the export volume was 5.689 billion baht, up 41.00 percent, and the import volume was 8.400 billion baht, up 21.49 percent. Following Singapore were South China (12.256 billion baht, down 27.34 percent) and Vietnam (6.898 billion baht, down 46.47 percent).
According to a market-based analysis, Thai exports to Cambodia continued to grow at 14.86 percent, especially in non-alcoholic beverages, automobiles, equipment and components, and livestock products. Thai exports to Laos also went up, especially in computers, non-alcoholic beverages, and diesel.
Thai exports to Myanmar also saw a constant rise in diesel, non-alcoholic beverages, cloth and wire in particular. To Malaysia, Thai exported more rubber products, computers, equipment and components.
Due to the Covid-19 outbreak, DFT had to delay the border trade fair originally scheduled for March 28-31, 2020 in Aranyaprathet, Sa Kaeo, and will announce further notice as soon as the epidemic comes to an end, said Mr. Kirati. DFT also plans to hold more border trade exhibitions in Chiang Rai, Nakhon Phanom, Tak, Yala and other provinces after the epidemic to bolster border trade.
Source: InfoQuest, by Phana / Kasamarporn / Rachada, translated by Xinhua Silk Road
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