Thailand Cabinet Confident of 4.5 Percent Economic Growth.

Sep. 4--Cabinet ministers yesterday expressed confidence the economy could reach 4.5 percent growth this year, rising to 5.5 percent for 2004.

Finance Minister Somkid Jatusripitak yesterday told ministers that the strong recovery this year and for 2003 would push growth to 5.5 percent annually by 2004.

The Bank of Thailand yesterday reported to the cabinet the latest economic figures for July, noting that overall growth for the first seven months of the year was 4 percent.

But central bank officials denied that there had been any change in official growth projections, currently set at 3 percent to 4 percent for this year.

Bandid …