Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs MR Pridiyathorn Devakula has voiced concerns for the Thai export sector this year, admitting that the growth figure could settle at only 0-1 percent due to the slow recovery of the global economy. As part of his address at a seminar organized by the Thai National Shippers’ Council, MR Pridiyathorn pointed out that the world economy has yet to make a comeback, judging from the high unemployment rate in Europe and the lackluster recovery in the US. As a consequence, the deputy premier said Thai exports have been hard hit, adding that he is worried the impact would be long-lasting. Based on the records, Thai exports in January and February 2015 contracted 3.7 and 6.1 percent respectively while the downtrend is expected to carry on in March. Under such a circumstance, first-quarter growth is projected to average at minus 4 percent, which would be one of the lowest rates in history. Growth for the entire year is also likely to stand at merely 0-1 percent. However, on a positive note, MR Pridiyathorn indicated that the declining oil prices have helped stimulate domestic spending, allowing VAT collection during the first three months to expand nearly 10 percent. The government, meanwhile, has been able to disburse 51 percent of its investment budget. - See more at: http://thainews.prd.go.th/CenterWeb/NewsEN/NewsDetail?NT01_NewsID=WNECO5804080010017#sthash.i7Huus9I.dpuf