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28 Jul 2006

Industry

Garments 2006 : Imported Products Increase, Contrary to Economic Direction (Business Brief No.1840)

คะแนนเฉลี่ย
The import of garments into Thailand during the first half of 2006 grew as high as 45.4 percent. This represents a higher influx of garments imported from low-cost production countries such as China, India and Vietnam where import values have increased an average of 98.2 percent, while costlier garments imported from Europe and USA that are the leaders in fashion and branding famous around the world, exhibited a 68.1 percent increase in imported value.

The import trend for garments runs opposite to the sluggish economy and consumer purchasing power. This will not only affect Thailand in lost foreign exchange revenue while Thailand is facing a trade deficit that has reached as high as USD 2,029.3 million in the first-half of 2006, but also confronts domestic products with tougher competition and may influence employment in the garment sector, eventually. In order to avoid and/or soften the impact of this, the government and private sectors should promote Thai domestic products at home, which are quite varied, such as garments products made by small and large entrepreneurs alike, with prices that are not expensive at all, not to mention that there are garments entrepreneurs who produce quality garments under their own brand names. However, these producers should find solutions themselves on how to reduce production costs, as well as develop their product quality to become more acceptable.

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Industry