Ministry eyes new emerging cities for exports amid global uncertainties
AMID THE hazy outlook for the global economy, the Commerce Ministry is targeting emerging cities in Asean, China, India and Africa for its export promotion strategy.
“The new export market focusing plan will ensure Thai shipments will continue to grow to achieve the five per cent goal this year,” said Vannaporn Ketudat, deputy director-general of the International Trade Promotion Department.
The ministry will try to penetrate new cities as they have strong demand for many import products, she said.
Thai shipments were up 7.8 per cent in the first half of this year, but the ministry is worried that global uncertainties and the baht’s appreciation could fan headwinds for Thai exports.
The new export target destinations were based on gross domestic product expansion, which leads to increasing purchasing power for various products and services.
The new cities in Asean are Haiphong, Can Tho, Guang Ning and Dalat in Vietnam, Mandalay and Lawksawk in Myanmar, Siem Reap and Steung Treng in Cambodia, and Oudomxai in Laos.
To penetrate Asean markets, the department plans to organise various trade activities in each city such as a Thailand Week or mini-Thailand Week, Top Thai Brand Exhibition, and business matching events for Thai and Asean traders.
In China, the new cities will be Chengdu, Chongching, Nanning, Zhenyang, Nangjing, Wuhan and Chingdao, as well as western provinces with Muslims, since Thai products have high potential to penetrate this market.
The department has also joined hands with Thai private companies already operating in China.
For instance, Loxley will sell Thai products at 178 Sinopex gas stations in China, and CP Group will sell Thai goods at its Superbrand Mall and online marketplaces.
India will have seven states as priorities, particularly in the northeast. They are Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Mizoram, Meghalaya, Tripura, Assam and Nagaland.
Kolkata and Jaipur are also on the radar, as Thai Smile Airways has opened routes for connecting flights between Bangkok and India to those cities, which have become tourist destinations.
In Africa, the department will leverage Toyota Tsusho’s connections in 53 countries to distribute Thai products to the continent.
Toyota Tsusho will increase distribution channels for Thai products in Ivory Coast and Nigeria by establishing warehouses in both countries.
Products with strong growth potential in the markets are |rice, agricultural goods and agricultural equipment with after-sales service.
