|
|
| • EXCH RATES |
|
Baht/$ 33.50/55
Bid/Ask
|
GOLD |
14,450
- 100
|
|
INDUSTRY
VICHAYA PITSUWAN
Industrial production volume is expected to increase in the second half of the year in response to higher purchasing orders, led by the electrical and electronics and automobile industries, according to the Office of Industrial Economics (OIE).
The manufacturing productivity index (MPI) in the first half was 10.46%, up from below 10% last year, signalling increased volume.
Dr Atchaka Sibunruang Brimble, the OIE director-general, forecast that the average index of this year would reach 11%, up from 8% last year, despite inflationary pressure, fuel-driven production cost increases and political tensions.
The GDP growth rate of the industrial sector is expected to be in a range from 6.6% to 7.1%, a forecast based on oil prices averaging US$125-130 per barrel.
Dr Atchaka said the best-performing sector this year would be electrical and electronic goods.
In the first half, she noted, hard disk production improved 33.1%, and electronic goods rose 1.5% from higher demand in the Middle East and European Union markets.
The automobile industry, meanwhile, lifted output by 20% year-on-year to 719,487 units.
A total of 321,470 units, or 9.9% more than in the same period last year, were sold in the domestic market, despite a 13% drop in pickup truck sales due to higher diesel prices.
For the full year, the OIE expects 11% expansion to 1.43 million units manufactured, led by gains in passenger cars.
As well, government megaprojects _ if they begin _ could support the growth of steel bar products, which expanded by 16.6% in the first half on continuing demand from construction projects despite the surge in steel prices.
Steel sheet products, which dropped 0.2% in the first half, are expected to pick up in line with growth in the automobile and electronics industries.
The OIE foresees a 9-10% rise in overall steel production output from last year.
Sectors recording reductions in the manufacturing index included gems and jewellery, furniture, rubber and lenses.
Export growth by the food industry in the second half is expected to drop to 14.3% from 22.3% in the first half due to the slowing US economy, with prawns and canned fruit likely to be affected.
However, canned tuna, rice and cooked chicken will help sustain the industry's growth, said Dr Atchaka.
Prev
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
Next
