April 27, 2012

The Thai government is developing Thailand into Asia's biggest trade and distribution centre for food products, according to reports.

Nanthawan Sakuntanak, Director-General of the Thai Ministry of Commerce's Department of International Trade Promotion, who confirmed the policy on Tuesday, said that the government's goal would be achieved through her ministry.

She added that her ministry is also actively promoting Thai food products in emerging markets, especially in Southeast Asia, China, India, Russia and Africa.

Nanthawan reported that the value of Thai food exports has amounted to more than US$28 billion annually so far and should exceed US$30 billion this year, or by 10-12% on-year growth, noting that the value of Thai rice exports alone has amounted over US$6.5 billion annually on average; while the value of Thai prawn exports have exceeded US$3.5 billion yearly.