- July 7, 2021
- Posted by: Stratford Team
- Category: Business
People wearing face masks shop for street food in Chinatown amid the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Bangkok, Thailand, January 6, 2021. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha/File Photo
BANGKOK, July 7 (Reuters) – Thailand’s leading business group on Wednesday lowered its 2021 economic growth forecast for the fourth time this year to 0.0% to 1.5%, from 0.5% to 2.0%, due to a prolonged third wave of COVID-19 infections and despite higher exports.
The tourism-reliant country’s biggest outbreak that emerged in April has seen the most cases and deaths, dealing a deeper blow to an already fragile economic recovery.
“The rapid and severe third wave has affected domestic demand although a clear global economic recovery will benefit Thai exports,” Payong Srivanich, chairman of the joint-business group of industry, banking and commerce, told a briefing.
The group raised its export growth forecast to 8% to 10% this year from 5% to 7% due to…
