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2 percent, led by the manufacturing sector and increased domestic demand boosted through several government stimulus packages. The capacity utilization rate in the manufacturing sector increased to 63 percent from slightly more than 50 percent in 1998. While this was still below normal levels of 70 to 80 percent, manufacturing was nevertheless the engine of economic recovery, with a growth rate of around 11. Vehicle and transportation equipment production showed the highest rate of growth. New vehicle models boosted domestic demand, and exports expanded as foreign vehicle producers used Thailand as a production center for regional manufacturing. |