Thailand's Commerce Ministry is confident the country's 2010 exports will grow 14.0 percent year on year, Srirat Rastapana, the Director-General of the Export Promotion Department, disclosed Thursday.

The 14.0 percent growth rate's projection is based on a forecast that the world economy this year will expand 3.1 percent, the Thai News Agency quoted Srirat as saying.

The ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA), which has taken effect from the beginning of this year, will also help boost the country's foreign trade, she said.

The AFTA is a trade bloc agreement by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations or ASEAN supporting local manufacturing in all ASEAN member countries.

Also, Thai goods' quality, which is internationally acceptable, will also be another positive factor to help boost overseas demand, Srirat said.

(Xinhua News Agency January 29, 2010)