The trade deficit hit an all-time high in April of about US$10 billion, as imports surged 45% year-on-year to $41.6 billion, driven by shipments of raw materials, semi-finished products, capital goods, and energy, according to the Trade Policy and Strategy Office (TPSO) under the Ministry of Commerce.
Exports in April surged 23.1% to $31.5 billion, while imports grew 45% to $41.6 billion, both marking all-time highs. This resulted in a trade deficit of $10.02 billion, said Nantapong Chiralerspong, director-general of the TPSO.
