October 26, 2005

Bird flu to have minimal impact on Thailand's GDP growth

Thailand's deputy prime minister and commerce minister, Somkid Jatusripitak, said Wednesday the bird flu outbreak would only have a minimal impact on growth of the country's gross domestic product this year.

"Our chicken exports are mostly cooked chicken, and we are experienced in handling bird flu. If we are careful enough, it shouldn't be a significant impact," Somkid told reporters at a seminar on corporate governance.

The Bank of Thailand forecast for GDP growth this year was 3.5 to 4.5 percent. The economy grew 6.1 percent last year. The slowdown was mainly due to rising oil prices.

Since August 2002, Thailand has confirmed 19 human cases of the H5N1 bird flu virus, which have resulted in 13 deaths. The latest victim was a 48-year-old man who died last week after handling his neighbour's sick chickens.