Exports show surprise riseCustoms-cleared exports in January unexpectedly rose for the first time in six months, increasing 3.35% from a year earlier, boosted by higher shipments of gold and oil-related products, the commerce ministry said on Monday. January's figures compared with a Reuters poll forecast for a fall of 3.0% in shipments, a main driver of Thai growth, and against December's 1.28% drop. However, January's exports were not yet affected by the outbreak of a new coronavirus, a ministry official told a news conference. January's trade deficit amounted to US$1.56 billion versus a forecast of a $0.65 billion deficit and December's $0.60 billion surplus. In 2019, exports declined 2.65%.

Source: Bangkok Post February 24, 2020 03:56 UTC