Thai finance minister sees weaker economic growth in H2

[BANGKOK] Thailand's economy is expected to grow 2.6 per cent in the second half of this year, a slower pace than the first half, while exports are likely contract for the third straight year this year, Finance Minister Sommai Phasee said on Wednesday.

Exports could fall 1.7 per cent this year, Mr Sommai told a seminar. That compares with a 0.2 per cent rise the finance ministry projected in April.

Sommai did not give any projection for economic growth during the second-quarter or first-half. Thailand is due to release second-quarter GDP data on Aug 17.

In the first quarter the economy grew 3.0 per cent from a year earlier and 0.3 per cent from the previous three months.

REUTERS