Thai eyes on African trade prospects

Annual trade with Africa averaged US$8.4 billion over the past three years, Thai Trade Representative Nalinee Thaweesin said yesterday after meeting with trade envoys from South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya, Egypt and Morocco.

African countries depend on exports of oil, jewellery, lead, zinc, silver and copper, while importing rice, food, drugs, consumer products, automobiles and parts, and electric appliances - all of which Thailand exports.

Representatives of Tata International from India also met with Nalinee last week and expressed an interest in buying steel from Thailand for use in the company's automobile assembly plants.

Thai-Indian trade has been expanding rapidly, jumping 34.2 per cent to US$6.65 billion last year.