Posted on 02 Jan 2013
The country’s economy could grow more than 5.5% this year and exports would expand by around 12.2%, Arkom Termpitayapaisit, secretary general of the National Economic and Social Development Board (NESDB), said on Wednesday.
Arkom Termpitayapaisit (File photo)
Mr Arkom said there is a strong possibility that 2013 gross domestic product (GDP) growth would be higher than 5.5% on the back of continuing global economic expansion, including in the US, Europe, China and Japan.
The government’s investment in infrastructure development megaprojects and increasing domestic consumption were other positive factors that would help mobilise the economy this year, he added.
The global economic recovery would also boost exports to grow by about 12.2% this year. However, the cabinet meeting had set the export expansion target for the year at 9%, as cabinet members were worried that unexpected economic crises could occur again, said the NESDB secretary general.
He said the increase in the minimum daily wage to 300 baht since Jan 1 would increase the purchasing power of labourers, while the affected manufacturers would receive needed assistance from the government.
Mr Arkon had confidence that the wage hike policy would not lead to the layoff of millions of workers as some fear because the current unemployment rate was very low.
Bangkok Post, January 2, 2013
