Thailand's exports for July soared to a record level of 11.15 billion U.S. dollars and its exports in the first seven months of 2006 rose to 70 billion U.S. dollars, Caretaker Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Somkid Jatusripitak said Sunday.

Somkid said exports between January-July this year grew 16.7 percent from the corresponding period last year.

The sharp increase in exports resulted from expanded exports of agricultural and industrial goods to both Thailand's traditional markets as well as new markets, he said.

Exports to the country's key trading partners including U.S., EU and Japan during the period increased satisfactorily.

Despite several problems to be faced in the second half of this year, the government will closely cooperate with the private sector with an aim to maintain export growth, especially on ways to boost revenue from tourism to keep the country's trade deficit at a minimum level, he said.

Somkid said his ministry still maintained that this year's overall export growth would be up 17.5 per cent.

Touching on current problems facing Thailand's trade, including the strong baht, Somkid said concerned government agencies would be able to manage and stabilize the currency at an appropriate level.

Somkid is scheduled to leave for Malaysia Sunday evening to attend the ASEAN economic ministers meeting.

Source: Xinhua