While the trade numbers through the Thai-Lao PDR in January 2023 through the Nong Khai Customs Office with a total value of 14,977.05 million baht, a decrease from December 2022 in the amount of 2,717.06 million baht, or a decrease of 115.36%, of which these are outbound cross-border goods from Thailand to Laos, worth 11,603.08 million baht, an increase of 3,719.14 million baht or 47.17% from the previous month.
Most of the cross-border goods of Thailand are sent to the Chinese market. In the month of Jan. In 2023, the total value was 24,620 million baht, an increase of 47.75%, divided into exports worth 11,141 million baht, a growth of 40.58%. The main export products are fresh durian, fresh longan and rubber products. As for imports from China, the value was 13,479 million baht, accounting for 42.73%. The main products were chemicals, computers, etc. mobile phone receiver, etc.
The Ministry of Commerce is proactive and deep. to push and facilitate Thai exports both expedite inspection and extraction of smuggled goods Resume free trade negotiations Thai-European Union To reduce the tax between each other to 0% to increase exports to the European market. Supporting local products to the global market to strengthen the grassroots economy which border trade is an important channel
At the beginning of March, Mr. Kirati Ratchano, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Commerce Leading the ministry’s executive committee welcomed Mr. Malaithong Kommasith, Minister of Industry and Trade, Lao PDR, and government-private executives and discussed building cooperation to push bilateral trade towards a goal of US$ 11 billion per year (approximately 360 billion baht) in 2025, as well as exchanging operational guidelines Trade work in the mission of the Ministry of Commerce, such as product price management Import-Export Management trade facilitation and export promotion
On this occasion, Thailand has asked Lao PDR to expedite relevant agencies to consider opening 12 additional border checkpoints adjacent to Thailand and to help facilitate the transportation of Thai goods through Lao PDR to China. to be more flexible especially fruit products Which is entering the season when many products will be released to the market soon
while Thai exports, whether in long-distance markets or in neighboring countries tends to shrink following a slowdown in world trade Thai shipping numbers Through neighboring borders to the Chinese market, the trend is bright, with the Lao PDR growing up to 40% with export sales of 11,141 million baht, and during this period, Thailand’s tropical fruit season begins to enter the market. especially durian which has made the sales into the Chinese market reach 100,000 million baht This year exports should be more convenient. From the opening of the country after COVID, regulations have been relaxed. and the China-Laos railway is fully ready to support transportation This is an opportunity to increase export sales. to replace the shrinking border trade during this period and expect to improve in the next phase
Thailand is currently the No. 1 trading partner of Lao PDR and No. 8 of Thailand in ASEAN. Border trade accounts for 95% of the total trade between the two countries. In 2022, the value of cross-border trade was 611,328 million baht, with Thailand exporting 350,627 million baht and importing 260,702 million baht, resulting in a trade balance of 89,925 million baht.
Yongyut Khawkomol/Report
Page 10, Than Sethakit Newspaper, Year 43, No. 3,873, March 26-29, 2023.