Export target unlikely to be achieved

Export target unlikely to be achieved

Exports of electrical and electronic goods are apt to drop year-on-year in the fourth quarter, prompting the Electrical and Electronics Institute (EEI) to suggest the 2013 export growth target of 2.5% is unlikely to be met amid the sluggish world economy.

Figures from the Customs Department showed that electrical appliances and electronics (EE) exports from January-April totalled US$17.5 billion, up by 4% year-on-year.

Of the total, about $7.5 billion was appliance exports, mostly to Asean and Japan, while $10 billion was electronics goods sold mainly to the US, Asean and Europe.

The EEI initially forecast export growth of 5% this year but downgraded the figure to 2.5% in May. It now says exports will reach $55.5 billion, up from $54.2 billion last year.

"We'll have to wait for second-quarter figures to come out before providing precise figures for the full year," said EEI president Somboon Hotrakool.

He said even though the baht appreciation is unlikely to significantly affect the EE industry, which trades mostly in US dollars, currency fluctuations make it hard to do business.

The June report from World Semiconductor Trade Statistics showed the global semiconductor market is forecast to grow by 2.1% to $298 billion this year, driven by smartphones, tablets and automotive items. PC-related sales are expected to decline from 2012.

The market is predicted to expand by 5.1% to $313 billion next year, surpassing the historic high of $300 billion in 2011.

Kohei Yamamoto, an official with Japan's Economy, Trade and Industry Ministry, said the Thai government should promote policies that incentivise investment in green IT and light-emitting diodes (LEDs), which consume 80% less energy than traditional lighting.

He told Thailand's Green IT seminar that Japan has been actively pursuing eco-friendly IT to fight global warming and boost energy efficiency.

Thailand's Energy Ministry has a target of reducing energy intensity or the energy amount used per gross domestic product unit, by 25% from 16.2 kilotonnes of energy per billion baht to 12.1 kilotonnes, according to the 20-year energy efficiency development plan for 2011-30.

Chirapat Popuang, senior director of the EEI's information and technical service department, said the institute will propose higher standards for the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand's energy-savings labels for fluorescent lamps, electrical ballasts, TVs, computer monitors, low-pressure gas stoves, luminaires and fibreglass.

Energy-savings labels cover 16 products. Upcoming ones will include LED lamps, freezers and washing machines.

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