{
  "id": 5052588,
  "title": "Private-sector panel raises 2026 GDP growth forecast to 2.1%-2.5%",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/02/private-sector-panel-raises-2026-gdp-growth-forecast-to-2-1-2-5",
  "topic": "finance",
  "section": "Finance & Markets",
  "published": "2026-09-02T08:54:38.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Thai Enquirer",
    "slug": "thai-enquirer",
    "url": "https://www.thaienquirer.com/73750/private-sector-panel-raises-2026-gdp-growth-forecast-to-2-1-2-5/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Thailand's top private-sector organization has revised its 2026 GDP growth forecast upward to 2.1%-2.5% from the previous 1.6%-2.0%. The Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking (JSCCIB) increased its export growth forecast to 12%-16% from the earlier 8%-10% range. Inflation is expected to remain steady at 2.5%-3.0%. The revised growth estimates align closely with official projections from the National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC) and the Bank of Thailand, which predict 2.0%-2.5% growth and 2.3% growth, respectively. The NESDC anticipates a 15.1% increase in exports and a 9.6% rise in private investment. Private consumption is projected to expand by 2.6%, while the central bank forecasts a slightly higher inflation rate of 2.8% for 2026, still within the JSCCIB's projected range. The JSCCIB notes that strong exports and investment are having a lesser impact on the domestic economy compared to previous years. In the past, export growth of approximately 14% and investment growth of 10% were associated with GDP growth of 6%-7%. The committee emphasizes the need for stronger connections between foreign investment and domestic industries, using data centers as an example. Every 100 megawatts of data-center capacity generates over 60 billion baht in investment, but the committee stresses the importance of developing local supply chains, clean-energy and water infrastructure, smart manufacturing, and skilled workers to maximize benefits. The NESDC has echoed these concerns, advocating for increased use of domestic materials, employment of Thai workers, local procurement, and technology transfers from foreign investment. Addressing the growing K-shaped divide in the economy, the JSCCIB highlights that growth is primarily concentrated in digital and artificial intelligence-related industries, dominated by Chinese, American, and Singaporean firms. In contrast, traditional sectors like automotive manufacturing, petroleum, and construction materials face intense competition from imports. Over the past five years, production among Thai small and medium-sized enterprises in seven industries covered by the \"Reinvent Thailand\" initiative has declined by an average of 8%, while output among foreign-owned companies has dropped by 19%, particularly Japanese businesses. The JSCCIB recommends improving industrial data by linking information from relevant agencies and urging the government to ease diesel export restrictions due to excess inventories and reduced supplies of raw materials impacting various industries.",
  "summary": "Thailand’s leading private-sector group has raised its 2026 economic growth forecast to 2.1%-2.5% from 1.6%-2.0%, citing stronger-than-expected exports and private investment. The Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking (JSCCIB) also raised its export growth forecast to 12%-16% from 8%-10%, while maintaining its inflation forecast at 2.5%-3.0%. The revised growth range is…",
  "key_points": [
    "Thailand's top private-sector panel raises 2026 GDP growth forecast to 2.1%-2.5%.",
    "Export growth forecast increased to 12%-16%.",
    "Inflation expected to remain steady at 2.5%-3.0%."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}