Department of Export Promotion,

Ministry of Commerce
http://www.depthai.go.th/Anual/th/Anual05/01message.htm

VISION

Globalization has had a direct impact on international trade and the world economy will continue to change in the
future, driven by gain in efficiency through technological advances and subject to fluctuating trade finance
circumstances, as well as to social and political upheavals that affect countries around the globe and have an
inevitable economic impact. Even Thailand cannot avoid this. Thus, building a solid economic foundation is a
necessity to ensure the nation can cope with whatever problems and issues that may arise.

Negotiations to free up trade through multilateral agreements will have an impact on most countries now and into
the near future. Thailand has benefited greatly from FTAs with countries that are considered new markets, such as
Australia, New Zealand, China, and India. When combined with policies of penetrating other new markets, such as
Latin America, Indochina and Myanmar, the Middle East, and Eastern Europe; it has resulted in exports to new
market growing by 24.1 percent, accounting for 40.6 percent of total exports.

For a very long time, exports have made a major contribution to national income, but the scope of international trade
has extended greatly, making exports of goods and services only one component in international trade. Accordingly,
the DEP is adapting its role to the changing trade environment in response to the new world economy. Now, other
factors have priority, such as value creation, which derives from the use of technology, research and development,
product and packaging design, brand names, consumer preference, as well as a social and environmental
responsibility.

To cope successfully with the changes in international trade requires close cooperation between public and private
sectors. To maintain competitive production costs, the DEP is promoting global sourcing for raw material,
machinery, and other factors involved in production, while also working to improve trade logistics. Another DEP
initiative is to encourage and facilitate Thai businesses in establishing an offshore presence by various means, such
as direct investment, mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, franchising and licensing intellectual property, etc. In
addition, the DEP will continue to assist Thai producers in upgrading to international standards and in evolving into
multinational corporations with global networks, an important factor in international business.

Even though the scope of responsibilities continues to expand, the DEP and its dedicated staff is committed to
providing the most efficient services and support, as well as fostering even closer cooperation with other public and
private organizations.

Mrs.Chantra Purnariksha
Director-General
Department of Export Promotion

MISSION

The vision of the Department of Export Promotion under the supervision of the Ministry of Commerce is to increase
national income by boosting the economy through exports. The DEPs strategy for accomplishing this aligns with
that of the Ministry in focusing on competitiveness in international trade by developing effective approaches and by
adding value to goods and services. The DEPs major policy initiatives include the following:

Establish an international trading network.

Develop the capabilities of Thai businesses to compete more effectively in export markets.
Coordinate and cooperate with both public and private agencies in solving problems, in eliminating barriers, and in
formulating measures that facilitate exports.

Foster and promote exports of Thailands goods and services through organizing the following kinds of activities
and events; domestic trade fairs, participation in overseas trade fairs, Thailand Exhibitions, various overseas sales
activities, trade missions, etc., while also enhancing the international image of Thai manufactured products.

The DEP has five Regional Export Promotion Centersthat provide quality service to upcountry Thai exporters and
interested foreign importers and buyers. They also work closely with 53 Overseas Foreign Trade Promotion
Offices. The role of these DEP centers is to support Thai manufacturers and exporters in provincial areas by
providing advice and information for developing their products and by helping them understand the export market,
covering such aspects as quality, design, and packaging, as well as arranging for provincial exporters to meet and
negotiate with foreign importers.

The overseas foreign trade promotion offices, under the supervision of the DEP, have a role in promoting exports by
bringing together Thai exporters and foreign importers and buyers to make deals. They also organize sales events
with overseas department stores and supermarkets, and arrange visits by foreign importers and buyers. They have
additional roles in surveying demands for products finding new export marketing channels, raising international
awareness of the quality of Thai products and services, establishing good relations with foreign business people and
organizations for possible joint activities, solving trade problems, and eliminating trade barriers.,

In 2006, the DEP is planning organizational changes that take into account this era of globalization under the
concept ofGlobal Dynamics. That is, viewing trade from both the export and import perspectives. Policies
supporting this concept include putting Thai businesses on an international footing by encouraging them to set up
overseas operations in various forms, such as direct investments, mergers and acquisitions. joint ventures, and
selling franchises and licenses. In addition, the DEP will focus on global sourcing of raw materials, machinery and
equipment, innovations, and other factors of production, as well as seeking information and technology from around
the world related to price and quality. Furthermore, the DEP will work to increase the efficiency of the trade
logistics system to enhance the competitiveness of Thai exports.

ANNUAL REPORT 2005

2005 OUTSTANDING PREFORMANCES

Success in Traditional and New Markets

Balancing Markets

Since 1999, the DEP has observed that the growth in traditional markets has experienced a downturn, due primarily
to an increase in non-tariff trade barriers. In response, the DEP is seeking new markets to expand exports of Thai
products and services.

In addition, the world economy slowed in 2005, compared with 2004, including key export markets, such as the US,
Japan, and the EU. However, new export markets, such as China and India, experienced higher growth rates, while
in the Middle East profits from higher oil prices surged. Accordingly, the DEP adjusted its export strategy in line
with the new economic climate in both traditional and new markets to ensure continuing growth in exports. The
strategy has been very successful in helping the DEP increase the share of total exports to new markets to 40.6
percent.

Traditional Markets:
Maintain and Increase Opportunities
The most effective way to maintain market shares for Thai products and services in traditional markets is to use
existing trade channels to reach key target groups: buyers, importers, and consumers. These channels include major
trade fairs, joint promotions with department stores, supermarkets, importers, and business matching.

International trade fairs give Thai producers and exporters the opportunity to introduce new products and services
and to open up new markets by meeting and negotiating with buyers and importers from around the world, while
gaining knowledge and experience for development of their businesses and increasing their competitive capabilities.
In addition, these events help Thai exporters build buyersconfidence by exhibiting products and services of high
quality standards. In 2005, the DEP arranged for 981 producers and exporters to attend 62 trade fairs in traditional
markets, resulting in immediate orders valued at over US$200 million with the expectation of more orders later.

International trade fairs that have proven a success for Thai producers and exporters include food fairs, such as in
the US: the Boston Seafood Show, and the Natural Product Expo West where Thailand has gained recognition as a
reliable source of healthy foods; in Europe, the SIAL in France and the International Food and Drinks Exhibition in
the UK; and the FOODEX in Japan, among others. Sales of gifts and home decorative items were high at the
AMBIENTE fair in Germany and the MACEF fair in Italy. Large orders for textiles have come from participation in
both the spring and autumn TEXWORLD fairs in France.

To stimulate interest in and increase awareness of Thai products and services, a special Thailand Exhibition for
importers and consumers was held in the US. The DEP invited 201 Thai companies to participate in the 4-day event
that attracted 6,380 business visitors and yielded immediate orders worth US$36 million, as well as more in post-
event orders.

Another means of broadening the awareness of Thai products and services among foreign consumers are joint
promotions between the DEP and overseas department stores. In this past year, 79 such events were organized
encompassing food, houseware, home decorative items, fashion goods, and OTOP products. Sales promotion
campaigns were undertaken with international chain stores, such as with Carrefour in 10 countries around Europe,
with such important retailers such as Galleries Lafayette in France, Scheck-In Karssruhe in Germany, Rinasancente
in Italy and Jusco and Isetan in Japan. The DEP further expanded market reach by using television as a marketing
medium jointly with the Jupiter Shop Channel, resulting in nearly US$2 million in sales in just 3 days. Products that
attracted the most interest were gems and jewelry, fashion garments, food and fruits, and home decorative items.
Overall, Thai products and services have proven very popular internationally.

In addition to these activities, the DEP organized 69 trade missions of foreign buyers to Thailand to meet producers
and exporters, including factory visits, and organized 16 trade missions of Thai manufacturers and exporters to
negotiate deals, study markets, and establish trade channels in foreign markets.

New Markets:
Foster and Develop Contacts

Export opportunities for Thailand increased significantly as a result of the Free Trade Agreements. The DEP
developed market penetration strategies tailored to suit each market and to the specific potential of Thai goods and
services. Activities undertaken included overseas Thailand Exhibition trade fairs, participation in international
trade fairs, and study missions to new markets by the Special Task Force (STF) in order to plan and organize
appropriate trade missions orExport Ralliesfor exporters to penetrate new markets.

The DEP organized 28 Thailand Exhibitions in new markets that showed potential for access that included 2,176
Thai exporters who exhibited the capabilities of Thai industries, the wide range of goods available, as well as their
high international quality standards. Countries where the Thailand Exhibitions were held included Myanmar, China,
Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos, Indonesia, Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Yemen, the United Arab Emirates, Turkey,
Oman, South Africa, Ghana, Russia, and Australia. Combined attendance was estimated at around 2.1 million with
total orders valued at US$95 million with orders from Africa alone totaling US$30 million, followed by ASEAN
with US$27 million and the Middle East with US$25 million.
Participating in trade exhibitions in new foreign markets is just one part of an ongoing strategy. The DEP takes Thai
producers and exporters to trade exhibitions with the best opportunities, such as in China, India, and in the Middle
East. In 2005, the DEP arranged for 1,014 Thai producers and exporters to participate in 63 trade exhibitions in new
markets resulting in transactions worth US$196 million: 25 events in China, 8 in the United Arab Emirates, 3 in
India, etc. Overall results were excellent. 37 Thai producers and exporters participated in the Hong Kong Toys &
Games Fair, yielding orders valued at US$17 million, while 26 Thai producers and exporters attended the Gulf Food
exhibition in Dubai, gaining orders valued at US$82 million.

In addition to these activities, the DEP organized 26 market survey missions in 7 regions for the Special Task Force
to do in-depth studies of export opportunities for Thai products and services in targeted new markets, such as China,
South Asia, Africa, Oceania, Eastern Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East. These missions helped to create
export opportunities and to establish closer relations between the Thai exporters and private business people, as
well as local officials in each country, while gathering extensive and crucial market information. The information
gathered was disseminated to Thai businesses to assist them in producing products in line with consumer tastes and
demand in the various markets. The DEP has arranged 25 trade missions to countries previously surveyed in the 7
regions for Thai exporters to negotiate deals, resulting in sales worth US$235 million.

The following are summaries of activities and achievements in the various markets:

China: The DEP organized 8 trade missions to Harbin, Shenyang, Shanghai, Yiwu, Wuxi, Wuhan, Changsha,
Kunming, Zhengzhou, Dalian, Tianjin, Chengdu, Chongqing, Guangzhou, Nanning, and Hong Kong. These
missions resulted in orders valued at US$127 million for rice; natural rubber; stingray and crocodile skin products;
fresh, dehydrated, and canned fruits; and fruit juice.

South Asia: The DEP organizedExport Rallies3 times in India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh, resulting in US$48
million in orders for food and beverages, cosmetics, stationery, lubricants, water treatment equipment and
machinery, hair lotions, artificial flowers, and plastic products.

The Middle East: The DEP organizedExport Rallies3 times in Yemen, Turkey, Syria, Qatar, and Bahrain, resulting
in orders worth US$37 million for construction materials, automotive parts, medicines, childrens goods, furniture,
electrical appliances, and food.

Africa: The DEP organized 3 trade missions to Egypt, Kenya, Morocco, Mozambique, Ghana, Nigeria, and Benin,
resulting in orders worth US$14 million for automotive parts, food, medicines, stationery, cosmetics, fishing
equipment, and household goods.

ASEAN: The DEP organized a trade mission to Ho Chi Minh City, Danang, and Hoian in Vietnam, resulting in
orders worth US$1.8 million for concentrated latex, processed rubber wood, and fruit.

Oceania: The DEP organizedExport Rallies4 times in Sydney and Melbourne, Australia, resulting in orders worth
US$4 million for gems and jewelry, gifts and souvenirs, home decorative items, and household goods.

Eastern Europe: The DEP organizedExport Ralliestwice in Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Romania,
Croatia, and Slovakia, resulting in orders worth US$3.5 million for household goods, fresh fruits and vegetables,
garments, silver jewelry, automotive parts, fresh orchids, artificial leather, and canned foods.

Thailand-Australia Trade after Signing FTA

On 5 July 2004, Thailand and Australia signed a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) in Canberra that came into effect on
1 January 2005. The FTA covers goods, services, and investment, as well as economic cooperation in various
sectors, such as electronic commerce, intellectual property, procurement, and competitive policies.

Australia immediately cut import tariffs on more than 5,000 items to zero, or on 83 percent of all items imported
from Thailand, including fresh fruits and vegetables, canned pineapple and pineapple juice, processed foods, small
cars and pickups, gems and jewelry, etc. Duties on the remaining items, such as plastic products, rubber and rubber
products, textiles and garments, etc., will end between 2010-2015.

For services trade and investment, Australia allows Thais to invest in any business, except newspaper publishing,
broadcasting, air shipping, and airports. An investment by a Thai exceeding AUS$10 million requires prior
permission from the Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB) of Australia and entitles a Thai to work in Australia
for periods of 4 years, renewable up to 10 years. A chef with a certificate issued by the Department of Skill
Development of Thailand and with an employment contract from an Australian company can work in Australia for
up to 4 years. Moreover, the Labor Market Test is suspended, which means that the Australian government permits
an Australian company to immediately hire a Thai to work in its company without job announcement
for Australians.

After the Thailand-Australia FTA came into effect, the export value to Australia in 2005 increased by 29.9 percent to
US$3.2 billion, while Thai imports from Australia in 2005 increased by 48.0 percent to US$3.3 billion, resulting in
Thailand facing a trade deficit with Australia of US$71.6 million, compared to a consistent surplus previously.

However, 73.4 percent of the import value from Australia was raw materials and semi-finished goods, representing
an increase of 36.1 percent. Imported items that increased the most were fuels (173.7 percent), followed by vehicles
and transportation equipment (92.9 percent).

Industrial goods accounted for the largest proportion in the export value from Thailand to Australia at 84.8 percent
and represented an increase of 33.4 percent over 2004. Thai products benefiting the most from the FTA were
automotive components and parts, worth US$1.3 billion, representing an increase of 66.3 percent. Ranking first in
value among exports to Australia were passenger cars, increasing by 257.9 percent, followed by vans and pickups,
which increased by 72.8 percent, and automotive parts and components, which increased by 23.2 percent. In
addition, the exports of many other items also increased significantly.

The DEP had applied market development strategies before FTAs came into effect, as well as after the FTAs were
signed, including organizing many seminars focusing on products with potential for export to Australia, such as
fashion goods, gifts and home decorative items, and foods, as well as promotion of Thai restaurants and the hiring
of Thai chefs.

The DEP activities to promote exports to Australia include participation by 74 Thai producers and exporters in 4
trade exhibitions generating sales at these events valued at US$2.1 million. The DEP participated in the AAAA
Trade Show in Sydney and the Australia Auto Trade Fair in Melbourne. Small pickups ranked first among
Australias imports from Thailand, increasing by 70 percent in 2005, compared to the years prior to the FTA. The
DEP also participated in the Textile, Clothing, Footwear & Fashion Accessories (TCF) Fair in Melbourne and the
Fine Food Fair in Sydney, Australias largest food fair.

The DEP also organized 2 advance missions to such key cities as Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, and Perth
to conduct market research and to find new market channels before two Export Rallies, as well as organizing a
Thailand Exhibition in Sydney in which 163 Thai exporters participated to take advantage of the FTA.

Products with good export prospects include food, fashion goods, automotive parts and components, gems and
jewelry, furniture, home decorative items, and services, such as Thai restaurants that the DEP will promote to gain
the full benefit from the Thailand-Australia FTA.
 Overview of Thai Exports in 2005 & Export Outlook in 2005
The Thai economy in 2005 has started off on a slow pace of 3.3 percent in the first quarter compared to its growth of
6.5 percent in 2004. Many factors have contributed to this downturn both domestically and internationally, including
the sharp increase in crude oil prices that have pushed up inflation, drought conditions in many parts of Thailand
that have cut agricultural production, the after effects of the tsunami, as well as the unrest in the three southern-most
provinces that have resulted in a 10.1 percent drop in foreign tourism.

The government had undertook many initiatives to improve these conditions, such as drought relief programs,
restoring tourist destinations affected by the tsunami, tourism promotion, introduction of wholesale and retail price
controls, and actively promoting exports. These measures resulted in economic growth of 4.6 percent in the second
quarter of the year 2005 and by 5.3 percent in the third quarter, averaging 4.4 percent for the first 3 quarters.
Projections for the Thai economy for the year of 2005 are a growth of 4.5 percent with inflation at 4.5 percent and
current account deficit at US$3.2 billion, or 1.8 percent of GDP.

The Export Situation

In the first half of 2005, imports grew at a rate of 31.3 percent, valued at US$59.6 billion, due mostly to imports of
more costly fuel, capital goods, and raw materials, while exports grew at 12.9 percent, valued at US$51.8 billion,
resulting in a trade deficit of US$7.8 billion.

The government implemented dual-track measures to remedy the trade deficit, such as actively promoting exports,
while monitoring imports. To increase exports, the government and private sectors cooperated more closely to open
new markets and expand existing markets, for example, by sending Special Task Forces on missions to target
markets; organizing Thailand Exhibitions; arranging Inbound and Outbound Missions; designating September as
Export Month with 9 separate trade fairs for health and beauty products, air-conditioners, electrical appliances,
automotive components and parts, gems and jewelry, OTOP lifestyle, and garments and leather goods.

Import monitoring and control measures covered crude oil, steel, gold, computers and components, machinery and
components, and chemicals that achieved their goals, improving Thailands terms of trade from August onward both
in exports, imports, and the balance of trade. Exports increased by 24.9 percent in August and by 23.2 percent in
September, while imports increased at a slower rate of 21.7 percent in August and of 20.6 percent in September. This
resulted in a trade surplus of US$9.8 million in August and US$820 million in September.

In conclusion, exports for the whole of 2005 increased by 15 percent to US$110.9 billion with industrial goods
increasing by 15.8 percent, while agricultural products increased by 5 percent. Imports for the whole of 2005
increased by 26 percent to US$118.2 billion, rising across the board. Major imports were fuel (up 59.1 percent);
capital goods (up 27.2 percent); and raw materials and semi-finished goods (up 16.9 percent). In 2005, Thailand
experienced a trade deficit of US$7.3 billion.

Major Export Products

Exports that increased significantly in 2005 included canned fish; processed food; fresh, canned, and processed
fruits and vegetables; frozen shrimp; processed chicken; vehicles and parts; computers and parts; polymers and
plastic products; construction materials (steel and cement); gems and jewelry; rubber products; printed matter and
paper; cosmetics; and pharmaceuticals.

Other products that had increases in exports included natural rubber, tapioca starch, electrical appliances, textiles,
luggage, leather goods, furniture, and home decorative items.

Products that decreased in exports included rice; sugar (volume down 33.7 percent; value down 12.2 percent, due
to lower domestic production); tapioca products (volume down 39.6 percent; value down 14.8 percent, due to lower
exports to Europe, because of lower domestic production and competition from European grains and American
corn); fresh, chilled and frozen chicken parts (volume down 82.9 percent; value down 70.0 percent, due to fallout
from the bird flu outbreak). An upward trend in prices moderated the fall in value.

Major Export Markets

Exports to new markets increased 24.1 percent and to traditional markets 9.3 percent, boosting the share of new
market exports to 40.6 percent of total exports, demonstrating the effectiveness of cooperation between the
government and private sectors, as well as the impact of FTAs with new and traditional markets, as follows:

Exports to FTA markets:

India (up 67.7 percent);
Australia (up 28.9 percent);
and China (up 29.1 percent).

Exports to other new markets:

Latin America (up 37.7 percent);
Indochina and Myanmar (up 26.0 percent);
the Middle East (up 25.7 percent);
Hong Kong (up 24.7 percent);
Eastern Europe (up 23.5 percent);
South Korea (up 21.6 percent);
and Africa (up 14.7 percent).

Exports to traditional markets increased 9.3 percent: Japan (up 12.3 percent); ASEAN (5 countries: up 10.9 percent);
the US (up 10.0 percent); and the EU (15 countries: up 3.5 percent).

Export Outlook in 2006

The Ministry of Commerce organized a meeting with major exporters in December 2005 to discuss the prospects for
Thai exports in 2006. Exports are projected to increase by 17.5 percent in 2006 with a value of US$130.3 billion,
given estimates that the world economy will grow at about 4.3 percent and the world trade will grow by 7.4 percent.

Factors Favoring Exports

- The EU announced a 4th round of a Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) for a 10-year period, effective from
1 January 2006, that will return GSP coverage to Thailand for 6 categories of goods: seafood, prepared foods, plastic
& rubber products, shoes, glass and ceramic products, and electronic household goods. The elimination of GSP for
other countries will benefit the following categories of Thai products; plastic products, rubber products, leather
goods, shoes, textiles, machinery, and electrical appliances.

- Prices for agricultural goods have an upward trend in the world market, especially for sugar and natural rubber.

- Industrial products exports are expected to continue increasing, especially automotive products and electronic
goods.

- Joint government-private efforts to penetrate and expand export markets will continue, following up on the
successes of 2005 with new markets and FTA markets.

Factors with a Potentially Unfavorable Impact on Exports

- The world economy may grow at a slower rate in 2006 than the World Bank projection of 3.2 percent, because two
key economies the US and China may decline, due to the huge US current account and federal budget deficits and
due to China being forced to adjust foreign exchange rates.
- The continuing high price of crude oil with the prospect of further increases has an impact on production costs,
therefore, export prices, and the cost of imports will rise, while the purchasing power in key markets for Thai
exports will fall.

- Drought conditions continuing from 2005 have been mitigated, but still persist.

- Rising interest rates and restrictive price policies to control inflation will have an impact on businesses and
investors by increasing the financial component of production costs, thus, reducing the competitiveness of Thai
exports and adding to consumer expenses.

Export Promotion Strategy for 2006

The DEP will continue to implement programs that have succeeded in boosting exports to traditional and new
markets, such as domestic trade fairs, participation in overseas trade fairs, organizing Thailand Exhibition trade fairs
and Export Rallies, trade and negotiation missions to new markets, joint promotions with overseas department
stores, supermarkets, and importers, as well as foreign importer and buyer missions to Thailand. These activities will
further help establish Thailand as a key player on the world trade arena.

Motivating Thai Businesses to Go Global

The DEP constantly keeps Thai businesses in mind when adapting its promotional strategies in line with world trade
climate. In addition to promoting the export of Thai goods and services in traditional ways, the DEP is focusing on
increasing competitiveness in 2006 through activities that give Thai businesses more exposure to international
business, such as investing abroad, forming foreign joint ventures, forming mergers and acquisitions, franchising
and licensing, and establishing an offshore business to create international business networks.

In addition, the DEP will pursue global sourcing by coordinating with its overseas foreign trade promotion offices to
locate sources of raw materials, manufacturing facilities, machinery, and other factors of production, as well as
technology and innovations. In addition, the DEP will promote research and development and product branding to
add value by creating a distinctive character and identity for Thai products and services.

Enhancing Services Capabilities

Promoting and supporting services will become more important, because Thailand has so many distinctive services
with great potential to enter new markets and to expand in existing markets. The DEP is organizing a number of
events for foreign businesses and investors to see the extensive opportunities offered by Thai services, such as
Kitchen to the World and Thai Select, that showcase Thai food products and Thai restaurants. Plus Thai Spa to the
World .

The DEP will also cooperate with other Thai government agencies and the private sectors to attract foreign patrons
to Thailand to use various services, e.g., health and beauty services; spas; hospitals; and recreational facilities;
international educational institutions that meet American and European academic standards; and a wide variety of
short courses, such as Thai cooking, fruit carving, traditional Thai massage, traditional Thai dance and arts,
traditional Thai music, and Thai boxing.

Preparing for Free Trade

The DEP considers trade negotiations of all kinds important, whether it be multilateral (WTO), regional (EU and
ASEAN), and bilateral (FTAs). By the end of 2006, there will be some 290 regional and bilateral trade agreements
in the world with virtually every country being party to at least one. Thailand has bilateral agreements with
Australia, New Zealand, China, and India. Bilateral agreements with Japan, Peru, the US, AFTA, and South Korea
are expected within the next 1-2 years. At that point, Thailand will have 8 bilateral agreements and 2 regional
agreements that will encompass some 45 percent of the worlds population and will account for some 48.4 percent of
the worlds GDP.
Therefore, the DEP has set export growth targets and developed a strategy appropriate to each regional hub; the US:
15 percent, Europe:6 percent, (for the EUs 15 member countries: 4.5 percent; for Eastern Europe: 24.5 percent.);
ASEAN:18.7 percent; East Asia 18 percent (Japan and South Korea:20 percent); China and Hong Kong:30 percent,
and India:60 percent. The DEP will focus on penetrating new markets and undertaking in-depth market research to
keep Thai businesses abreast of economic and trade trends. The DEP projects Thailands exports in 2006 will
increase by 17.5 percent.