July 15, 2004

Thai Exports Unaffected By Bird Flu Outbreak

Thai Commerce Minister Watana Muangsook said Wednesday recent outbreaks of bird flu will not significantly affect the country's exports and economic growth this year.

"I believe export growth this year will exceed our initial target of 15%. We have already recorded 20% growth in the first half," Watana told reporters.

Growth in the country's gross domestic product is also expected to reach 7%, he said.

The National Economic & Social Development Board, a state planning agency, has forecast 6% to 7% GDP growth this year after an expansion of 6.7% last year.

Thailand reported new outbreaks of bird flu Tuesday - one on a farm near the capital - raising the number of provinces hit by the virus this month to five.

Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra last week blamed storks nesting in the wild for the resurgence of avian influenza.

Earlier this year, the virus ravaged farms across Asia, forcing the slaughter of about 100 million chickens. It also jumped to people, killing eight in Thailand and 16 in Vietnam.