Sri highlighted that the country’s 5.18 per cent economic growth in the second quarter was an improvement from the 4.92 per cent seen in the first quarter. While investment only grew by 5.06 per cent, in comparison to 5.57 per cent in the previous quarter. Private consumption grew 5.04 per cent, a slight increase from the previous quarter figure of 4.94 per cent. The figure is a significant increase from the previous quarter, in which it only stood at 2.93 per cent. "We will look carefully at indicators and make further policy responses, as well as maintain the inflation rate, and create job opportunities," Sri told reporters at the State Palace on Friday, adding that the government would also closely monitor demand and supply.It is expected that the government will launch the 13th economic policy package this week, which according to Coordinating Economic Minister Darmin Nasution is likely to address an e-commerce roadmap and housing deregulation.According to the Central Statistics Agency (BPS), the second quarter economic growth was supported by government spending that had grown 6.26 per cent year-on-year (yoy).

Source: The Nation Bangkok August 07, 2016 13:30 UTC