Bangkok (VNA) – Thailand’s Department ofInternational Trade Promotion (DITP) has set a target of 6.5 percent growth forexports to member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations(ASEAN).

To achieve the goal, the DITP will develop a network ofbusiness owners, state-run enterprises, and governmental agencies that willplay a significant role in promoting Thai exports to ASEAN member states.

Its plan includes encouraging Thai companies to partnerwith ASEAN investors, promoting Thai cultural products in the ASEAN market,establishing a centre for distributing Thai crops and construction materials inMyanmar and backing domestic small- and medium-sized enterprises to connectwith the rest of ASEAN.

The Thai Ministry of Commerce also urged local exportersto make the most of free trade agreements (FTAs) to boost exports.

Adul Chotinisakorn, Deputy Director of the ministry’sDepartment of Foreign Trade, said Thailand currently has 17 FTAs with 12countries throughout Asia, Oceania and South America.

Last year, Thai traders shipped 60 billion USD worth ofgoods to these areas, up 15.2 percent from 2016 and accounting for 71.32percent of Thailand’s export value.

He underlined that FTAs offer an advantage for exportersas they provide tax waivers and deductions for goods made in Thailand.-VNA