Thailand's exports soar

Thailand's exports soar

BANGKOK (DPA): Thailand's exports in the first quarter of 2000 reached US$17.1 billion, a 30.3 per cent jump over the same period last year, government officials said Wednesday.

In the January to March period, imports also increased 21.6 per cent to reach $13.9 billion, leaving the kingdom with a trade surplus of $3.2 billion, said Finance Ministry spokesman Sathit Limpongphan.

Thailand's leading exports items during the first quarter of 2000 included computers and computer parts, electrical appliances, plastic products, integrated circuits (ICs), garments, vehicles and auto parts, jewellery, rice, canned seafood and sugar.

Leading imports items were electrical machinery, chemicals, machinery, ICs, iron, computers and accessories, vehicles, textiles, steel and scientific equipment, said Sathit.