BANGKOK (The Nation/ANN): Thai exports of computers and components in the first quarter of 2020 rose to nearly US$4 billion (Bt128 billion), placing it at the top among Asean nations, said Department of Trade Negotiations director-general Auramon Supthaweethum.
“Rising demand for computers and related components came from increasing online activities amid the Covid-19 lockdown worldwide.
Last year, Thailand ranked 6th globally in computer exports, after China, the European Union, the United States, Mexico and Hong Kong and the kingdom was the top exporter in Asean, ” she said on Monday (May 18).
“From January to the end of March, we exported more than $3.94 billion worth of computers and components mainly to the US (37 per cent), Hong Kong (16 per cent), Asean (14 per cent), the EU (14 per cent) and China (11 per cent), ” she said.
“Compared year on year, computer and component exports expanded by 14 per cent.
Hard-disk drives saw the greatest expansion of 23 per cent, with the total export value being $2.96 billion.
”Thailand is the second-biggest hard-disk drive exporter after China.
“The free trade agreement [FTA] is another reason that has helped promote Thai exports, ” Auramon added.
“Thailand has signed FTAs with 18 countries and joined the World Trade Organisation under the Information Technology Agreement that allows tariff-free exports of IT-related products to more than 50 member nations.”
The investment value in computer and electronic manufacturing industries in Thailand is currently $18.17 billion, with these industries having generated more than 300,000 jobs. - The Nation/Asia News Network
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