Border trade between Thailand and Cambodia
increased significantly during the first quarter of this year, despite
the two countries' wrangle over Preah Vihear.
Pornsilp Patcharintanakul, vice chairman to the Thai
Chamber of Commerce, said that cross-border trade was still growing,
even with the ongoing Preah Vihear dispute.
"The people of our two countries have a good understanding of this case as it has been going on for half century. Trade continues as normal, since both governments treat the dispute as a separate issue from business and economic ties," said Pornsilp.
He added, however, that the situation needed to be closely monitored as long as the spat between Thailand and Cambodia continued.
Sithiporn Bangkeaw, a trade counsellor for Surin province, said that exports from Thailand's permanent checkpoint at Chong Jom had exceeded Bt1 billion for the first time. The cross-border trade at the checkpoint was valued at Bt1.06 billion in the first three months of this year. He said that both Thais and Cambodians remained confident cross-border trade would not be effected by the Preah Vihear controversy.
Thai products still in high demand in Cambodia include fuel and consumer goods, Sithiporn said.
Commerce Ministry data shows that cross-border trade between the two countries grew 17 per cent year-on-year during the first quarter of 2013, to Bt24.03 billion. Exports from Thailand rose by nearly 18 per cent to Bt21.19 billion, while imports grew 11 per cent to Bt2.84 billion.
To promote strong trade relations, Commerce Minister Boonsong Teriyapirom will lead a Thai delegation to the Fourth Joint Trade Commission meeting between Thailand and Cambodia in Phnom Penh today and tomorrow.
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