BEIJING—Trade Secretary Gregory Domingo said it would be “difficult” to achieve the government’s 10-percent export target for 2011, even if the sector is expected to recover in the second semester. The more realistic range, he pointed out would be 8 percent to 10 percent.

Domingo told reporters at Forbidden City, which was toured by President Aquino and some Cabinet officials on Thursday that meeting the 10-percent target will be “tough” because of the first semester performance of the export industry.

Asked if the government can still meet its 10-percent target for exports, Domingo said, “It’s like a fighting target. We’re expecting a recovery in the third and fourth quarter but given the weakness in the first half, it is going to be tough.”

He said meeting a 10-percent target “is still within the range of possibilities but it will be difficult.” When asked, Domingo said a more realistic target would be “8 percent to 10 percent, 10 being the high end.”