The Office of the National Economic and Social Development Board (NESDB)
estimates that the Thai economy in 2013 will grow at the rate of
4.5-5.5 percent.
The think-tank’s secretary-general Akom
Termpitayapaisit said that the major drives for the nation’s economic
growth will be the recovery of the US, European and Chinese
economies, the government’s investment projects, the recovery of the
electronics and computer industries, and the healthy domestic demand.
The think-tank, meanwhile, predicts that this year’s exports will grow
by 11 percent and inflation to stay low at 2.5-3.5 percent.
As to risk factors, Akom said that capital outflows and an unstable
baht will pose a serious risk to the economy. He emphasises that a
strong or a weak baht will not pose as much risk as an unstable baht.
Regarding the possibility of using monetary policies to stimulate
further growth, Akom said that interest rate adjustments may be used to
stimulate growth, but they will come at some costs. In his opinion, the
present economic conditions do not warrant such drastic measures.-VNA