September 15, 2009
Thailand sets farm export hopes on streamlining plan
Thailand expects its new strategy for exports to help ship more of its farm products as finished and higher-value goods rather than raw commodities, according to the Bangkok Post.
The plan, to be implemented from 2010 through 2012, aims at streamlining the working process among related governmental agencies with a clearer analysis of problems obstructing certain export markets for farm products, said Apichart Jongskul, secretary-general of the Office of Agricultural Economics, the Agriculture Ministry's think-tank.
The plan also presents approaches to dealing with new forms of non-tariff barriers imposed by importing countries.
The strategic plan also aims to enlarge global market shares for key products while maintaining the Thailand's position as a market leader.
Thailand is the world's fifth-largest chicken exporter but it only has five percent market share, which the country is looking to expand, said Apichart.
Apichart said the strategic plans would promote the export growth of farm products by at least 10 percent per year from THB1.34 trillion (US$39.5 billion) in 2008.
