Bangkok (VNA) - The Digital Economy and Society (DES) Ministry of Thailand 🐷expects digital GDP this year to expand by 6.2% year-on-year, despite the potential impact of the US's reciprocal tariffs.

The figure indicates growth 3.4 times higher than the anticipated national GDP gain this year, according to the ministry. Citing the latest forecast from the National Board of DES Office's (BDE) latest forecast, Deputy Prime Minister and DES Minister Prasert Jantararuangtong estimated that digital GDP will be driven by continued growth in digital exports to avoid the effects of the US tariffs, Thailand's Cloud First Policy and the acceleration of the digital government project. In addition, massive investment in data centres and the printed circuit board and semiconductor sectors will pace growth, according to the forecast. Another contributing factor is Thais and foreign tourists increasingly adopting digital payment services, Prasert added. According to the official, the digital economy has played a key role in lifting the Thai economy. In the past five months, the value of digital exports tallied 860 billion THB (26.54 billion USD), up 35% year-on-year. Wetang Phuangsup, secretary- general of the BDE, said the value of the broad digital economy in 2025 is expected to reach 4.69 trillion THB, expanding by 6.2% year-on-year. Digital industries are projected to continue to expand this year, albeit at a slower pace. The BDE forecast the telecom industry to grow by 8.1%, down from the previously estimated 9.5%, the smart devices sector by 5.6%, down from the previously estimated 6.3%, software by 4.5%, down from the previous estimate of 5.2%, and digital content by 9.9%, down from the previously estimate of 12.7%. Other digital industries are estimated to expand by 5.8%, down from the previously estimate of 6.7%. The National Economic and Social Development Council of Thailand has estimated the country's GDP growth of 1.8% this year./.