Thailand raises 2018 GDP growth outlook to 4.2 percent

Thailand’s finance ministry has raised its GDP growth forecast to 4.2 percent from 3.8 percent, and also increased its estimate for exports.
Thailand raises 2018 GDP growth outlook to 4.2 percent ảnh 1Spokeswoman of Thailand’s finance ministry Kulaya Tantitemit (Photo: www2.mof.go.th)

Bangkok (VNA)– Thailand’s finance ministry has raised its GDP growth forecast to 4.2 percentfrom 3.8 percent, and also increased its estimate for exports.

Export, a key driver of Thai growth, will increase6.6 percent this year compared with the 5.7 percent predicted in October lastyear, ministry spokeswoman Kulaya Tantitemit said at a press conference inBangkok on January 29.

Southeast Asia's second-largest economy will mainly be driven by governmentspending and large public infrastructure projects this year, she said.

Thailand’s economic growth in 2017 was estimated at 4 percent - the fastestpace since 2012 - and higher than the 3.8 percent the ministry projected threemonths ago, thanks to stronger exports and tourism, Kulaya said.

Recently, the Thailand Board of Investment (BOI) announced the investmenttarget of 720 billion THB (22.5 billion USD) for 2018 after closing the year of2017 with an investment growth of 22 percent from 2016.

The totalinvestment application value of 2017 was nearly 642 billion THB (20 billion USD),exceeding the initial 600-billion-THB (18.75 billion USD) target set for2017.-VNA
VNA

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