Exports seen up 4% this year on rising global demand

Exports are expected to rise 4% in 2021 after declining 6% last year, while an unexpected increase in shipments was recorded in December as demand from major markets improved, the Commerce Ministry said on Friday.

Exports, a key driver of growth, will this year be supported by a recovery in global demand, vaccine distribution and stimulus measures in several countries, the ministry said in a statement.

Shipments rose for the first time in eight months in December, up 4.71% from a year earlier, the fastest growth rate in 22 months, the ministry said. A Reuters poll forecast a fall of 2.4% in exports.

“The December exports showed a good sign,” Pimchanok Vonkorpon, director-general of the Trade Policy and Strategy Office, told a…