Workers on the provincial highway from Bang Pa-in in Ayutthaya to Saraburi, with its terminus in Nakhon Ratchasima. The road is around 32% complete. (Photo by Patipat Janthong)

The Finance Ministry on Friday maintained its economic growth forecast for this year at 4.2% and raised its export estimate, an official said.

Exports, a key growth driver, are expected to rise 8% this year, an upgrade from the increase 6.6% seen three months ago, Pornchai Thiraveja, spokesman of the ministry’s fiscal policy office, told a news conference.

The economy will be driven by exports, tourism and government spending, he said. Last year’s growth was 3.9%, the fastest pace in five years.

The finance ministry also predicted the central bank’s benchmark interest rate will stay unchanged at 1.5%, near record lows, for the rest of 2018.