Malee Choklumlerd, director-general to the International Trade Promotion Department, said the meeting would focus on addressing problems and draw on solutions and strategies to continue driving export for next year as shipments this year might miss the working target of 5-per-cent expansion.

“Exports next year should be brighter. The department will focus its export promotion plan on high value-added products, products from start-up entrepreneurs and high-value service,” she said.

The meeting with overseas trade officials is scheduled to be held during the September 7-11 Bangkok Gems and Jewellery Fair 2016, when they will be bringing foreign traders to attend the |event.

Malee said that for this year, the department will focus on adapting export-promotion strategies to go in line with the Thailand 4.0 Model and the 20-year national strategy, so shipments from the Kingdom grow in a sustainable manner amid the changing global landscape.

The country will not follow the same pattern for export promotion or focus only on products and raw materials. It will concentrate on exporting value-added goods and services, high-technology products, and innovative products from SMEs and start-up enterprises. This strategy will help boost income for the country in the long run, Malee explained.

Priority items on the agenda at the upcoming meeting will be the global trade situation, particularly the slow down in the Chinese economy, which has affected many countries. The meeting will also focus on international conflicts and whether Thailand should adjust its marketing plans to penetrate other potential markets.

Target markets for this year and next will include Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam, India, Russia as well as countries in Africa that have rising purchasing power.

However, there are still concerns about some negative factors that might affect Thai shipments over the next few years, including a global slowdown, terrorism, fluctuating exchange rates, low oil price and the impact of Brexit (UK voting to leave the European Union).