BANGKOK (Reuters) – Thailand’s finance ministry on Thursday slashed its 2020 economic forecast to a record 8.5% contraction in gross domestic product from the 2.8% growth it projected in January, due to the impacts of the coronavirus pandemic.
The ministry also cut its 2020 estimate for exports, a key driver of growth, to a fall of 11.0% from an earlier 1.0% rise, Lavaron Sangsnit, head of the finance ministry’s fiscal policy office, told a news conference.
For 2021, the ministry predicts Southeast Asia’s second-largest economy will expand 4.0-5.0%.
(Reporting by Kitiphong Thaichareon; Writing by Orathai Sriring; Editing by Ed Davies)
