The government set a goal of reviving cross-border trade including transit trade this year after the value contracted by 2.6% in 2023 from the previous year to 1.7 trillion baht.
Ronnarong Phoolpipat, director-general of the Foreign Trade Department, said to achieve the target, the Commerce Ministry is committed to expediting cross- border and transit trade under the government’s investment promotion strategy for 2024-27.
This involves collaboration with relevant state agencies to facilitate and stimulate cross-border and transit trade, such as establishing one-stop service (OSS) centres and linking export-import documents through the National Single Window system to streamline trade processes.
Transit trade involves the passage of goods through more than one country.
“In 2023, the ministry opened OSS centres in eight provinces comprising Chiang Rai, Tak, Trat, Songkhla, Nong Khai, Nakhon Phanom, Mukdahan and Udon Thani. Moreover, Commerce Minister Phumtham Wechayachai directed the ministry and related agencies to speed up efforts on all fronts to expand trade and investment,” said Mr Ronnarong.
“I recently visited Laos to discuss with high-level officials cross-border trade issues and to promote expansion of cross- border and transit trade between the two countries.”
According to ministry data, cross-border and transit trade tallied 1.74 trillion baht in 2023, down by 2.6% from a year before. Of the total, exports accounted for 981 billion baht (-4.6%) and imports 762 billion (+0.2%). Thailand maintained a trade surplus for the year of 219 billion baht.
Cross-border trade with four neighbouring countries tallied 930 billion baht in 2023, with exports comprising 580 billion and imports 350 billion. Thailand had a trade surplus of 230 billion baht.
Malaysia was the top trading partner at 287 billion baht, followed by Laos at 261 billion, Myanmar at 220 billion and Cambodia at 162 billion. Key exports included diesel, refined oil, and computers and accessories.Source: Bangkok Post
