Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Somkid Jatusripitak has said that major exporters had assured him that exports in 2005 would sustain growth not less than 20 percent, equivalent to 117 billion US dollars.

He said he was assured by the overseas trade directors that although the country's exports during the first half of 2005 grew only 13 percent, exports during the second half would definitely meet the government's target, the Thai News Agency reported Saturday.

Despite the assurance given by major exporters, Somkid on Friday told the overseas trade chiefs based in 53 countries to work harder during the second half of the year.

Noting that the country's strong economy had based on earnings from tourism and exports, he asked the directors to speed up finding new markets for Thai exports.

The United States, Japan, China and India remain key markets for Thai exports, the deputy premier said.

Source: Xinhua